If then we are to stand for the truth, there is another word used by Jude that we do well to emphasize. In Jude 1717But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; (Jude 17) he says, “Beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.” If we are to contend for the faith, how deeply important that we should “remember” the very words in which the truth has been delivered to us through the apostles. The so-called Higher Critics may call in question the apostolic words, theologians may belittle their words, but the Word itself states that if a man is spiritual he will acknowledge that the things written by the apostles are “the commandments of the Lord” (1 Cor. 14:3737If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. (1 Corinthians 14:37)). Moreover, submission to apostolic teaching is the great test which proves by what spirit a man speaks, “He that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error” (1 John 4:66We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. (1 John 4:6)).
Here, however, it is the prophetic warnings of the apostles that we are more especially called to remember. What a comfort that we have not been left unforewarned of the terrible evil. Enoch prophesied of the evil; the apostles warned us of it. So while we cannot but grieve over the corruption, there is no ground for surprise, and no need to be disheartened; rather should our faith be confirmed as we see the fulfillment of the apostles’ words. The prophetic words of the apostles confirm the warnings of Jude. They too have warned us of the appearance in the last days of men who would make sport of Divine things, being led by their own unholy lusts. Such, while nominally associated with the people of God, actually walk apart as having no fellowship with them. They are natural, not having the Spirit of God. They may occupy prominent places in the pulpits of Christendom but, as one has said, they deride the simple faith of their forefathers, preach a so-called morality instead of Christ, and seek in every possible way to undermine the inspiration of the Scriptures, and the truths of Christianity.