<P> There is also a dispute as to whether "brother" means someone who has the same father and mother, or a half - brother or cousin or more distant familial relationship . This dispute over the true meaning of "brother" grew as the doctrine of the Virgin Birth evolved . </P> <P> Outside the book of Jude, a "Jude" is mentioned five times in the New Testament: three times as Jude the Apostle (Luke 6: 16, Acts 1: 13, John 14: 22), and twice as Jude the brother of Jesus (Matthew 13: 55, Mark 6: 3) (aside from references to Judas Iscariot and Judah (son of Jacob)). Debate continues as to whether the author of the epistle is either, both, or neither . Some scholars have argued that since the author of the letter has not identified himself as an apostle and actually refers to the apostles as a third party, he cannot be identified with Jude the Apostle . Others have drawn the opposite conclusion, i.e., that, as an apostle, he would not have made a claim of apostleship on his own behalf . </P> <P> The Epistle of Jude is a brief book of only a single chapter with 25 verses . It was composed as an encyclical letter--that is, one not directed to the members of one church in particular, but intended rather to be circulated and read in all churches . </P> <P> The wording and syntax of this epistle in its original Greek demonstrates that the author was capable and fluent . The epistle is addressed to Christians in general, and it warns them about the doctrine of certain errant teachers to whom they were exposed . </P>

Who was the book of jude written to