Jude 1:3 KJV Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

Three points:

1. Two important things: first--important to write about the common salvation (the salvation we have in common); second--important to write about the faith (our doctrine, and all that it teaches).

2. Needful, exhort, and earnestly contend. Needful means necessary; "I had to do write about this; it is so important." Exhort means encourage to do something. Earnestly contend means put up a vigorous fight. It is used only one time in the New Testament. It is not just fight, but to put up a vigorous fight. The ISV version translates it as "...urge you to continue your vigorous defense of the faith...". Some examples of vigorous: a vigorous work out, a vigorous battle. It is the full effort and not wimping out, a standing for the faith. Remember Stephen's defense before the Sanhedrin. It was vigorous enough that the members of the Sanhedrin were angry enough to kill Stephen. Imagine the guts to say to them, "...you do always resist the Holy Spirit." Acts 7:51 KJV Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. People today do not want to hurt anybody's feelings, so they say little or nothing, but sometimes it is necessary to speak plainly. A physician needs to speak plainly to someone about their diagnosis or the patient might not understand the seriousness of their disease. As one wrote online: "Running away from the situation, trying to avoid the situation...being a LOSER ABOUT IT...Yeah all of that! (http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=wimping). This fight is NOT physical like it is in some religions; it is a spiritual fight using logic, reason, illustrations, and appeals. Apologetics is the word.

3. Faith once delivered to the saints.

It is a faith once for all (as most understand it) given to God's people. This is the Christian faith. The 5 basic doctrines are

1. The Trinity: God is one "What" and three "Who's" with each "Who" possessing all the attributes of Deity and personality.

2. The Person of Jesus Christ: Jesus is 100% God and 100% man for all eternity.

3. The Second Coming: Jesus Christ is coming bodily to earth to rule and judge.

4. Salvation: It is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

5. The Scripture: It is entirely inerrant and sufficient for all Christian life.

For more information about these see http://deceptioninthechurch.com/5doctrines.html.