January 1, 2003, Vol.3, No.1.
Two new articles every two weeks.
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us.
THIS ISSUE: "Introduction
to Matthew" (see below)
and "Do we have anything
to do with our own Salvation?"
Overview of the Bible:
Introduction to Matthew
by Keith Sharp
 The
author of the first gospel account is Matthew (Greek name), also
known as Levi (Hebrew name). He was a tax collector who accepted
Jesus' call to discipleship (Matthew 9:9-13; Mark 2:14-17; Luke
5:27-32) and later became one of the Lord's twelve apostles (Matthew
10:1-4). Thus, he was a first hand witness of the events he records.
Purpose
Matthew's account of the life of Christ is well placed at
the very beginning of the New Testament, since it helps tie the
Old and New Testaments together. It shows how Jesus fulfills
the Old Testament as the Messiah (Christ) promised by the prophets.
Matthew wrote to strengthen Jewish Christians in their faith,
to refute their opponents, and to prove that the gospel, rather
than contradicting the Old Testament, fulfills it. Matthew is
the gospel to the Jews.
Plan
A number of peculiarities of Matthew demonstrate this purpose.
Matthew traces the lineage of Christ from Abraham through David
(1:1-17). He quotes or alludes to the Old Testament about sixty-five
times. Matthew uses the term "kingdom" fifty times
and the phrase "kingdom of heaven" thirty-three times.
He uses the phrase "kingdom of God" only five times,
in deference to the Jewish hesitancy to directly mention God.
He assigns the title "Son of David" to Jesus nine times.
Matthew repeatedly recognizes Jesus as King (2:2; 21:5; 22:11;
25:34; 27:11,37,42). He records Jesus' claim to fulfill the law
(5:17-20), His denunciations of the Pharisees (cf. 15:1-14; 23:1-36),
and His rejection of national Israel (ch's 21 - 24). Matthew
alone wrote of the Jews' acceptance of the guilt of the blood
of Christ (27:25). He alone refutes the Jewish claim that the
disciples stole the body of Jesus (27:62-66; 28:11-15). Matthew
records Jesus' great lessons on the nature of the kingdom of
heaven (ch's. 5-7,13). Though Matthew wrote in Greek, even his
style of writing is Jewish. Matthew emphasizes the righteousness
of the kingdom (cf. 5:20). The terms "righteous" and
"righteousness" occur more in Matthew than in the other
three accounts combined.
Outline
I. Introduction 1:1 - 4:11
A. Qualifications - chapter 1
B. Recognition - 2:1-12
C. Preparation - 2:13 - 4:11
II. Ministry in Galilee - 4:12 - 18:35
A. Presentation to Israel - 4:12 - 16:20
B. Preparation of Apostles - 16:21- 18:35
III. Ministry in Judea - chapters 19 - 20
IV. Rejection of Israel - chapters 21-25
V. Death, Burial, Resurrection, & Commission -
chapters 26 - 28
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