NT Survey I

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NT Survey I

• Overview of Gospels
• and
• Gospel of Matthew

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Overview of the Gospels

• The term gospel means good news.
• For a number of years after Jesus earthly
  ministry, the gospel message was spread orally.
• Written accounts of Jesus life and ministry were
  necessary as eyewitnesses began to die off and
  the spread of Christianity required more than
  oral witnesses.
• Each gospel writer, under the inspiration of the
  Holy Spirit, chose from all that Jesus taught and
  did and constructed his account with a particular
  audience in mind and for a particular purpose.
• Matthew writing to Jews as an apostolic
  eyewitness of the ministry of Jesus emphasizes
  Jesus as Messiah, the kingdom.
• Mark a close associate of the Apostle Peter,
  his gospel account to Gentiles summarizes Peters
  preaching emphasizes Jesus as Servant and Son of
  God who is to be followed.
• Luke a close associate of Paul and a careful
  historian, writing to Gentiles only non-Jewish
  writer in the NT emphasizes Jesus as Son of Man.
  Wrote largest percentage of NT.
• John Like Matthew, an apostolic eyewitness of
  the ministry of Jesus. His is an evangelistic
  gospel written to unbelieving Jews and Godfearers
  and emphasizing Jesus as the Son of God.

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Synoptic Gospel Source Theories

• Matthean Priority and Literary Independence

• Two-Source Hypothesis

Eyewitness Sources
Personal Notations
Eyewitnesses
Oral Tradition
Q A.D. 50
MARK A.D. 65
MATTHEW (Eyewitness) A.D. 55-60
LUKE A.D. 60-61
MATTHEW
LUKE
MARK A.D. 68
Peter
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Gospel of Matthew
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Introductory Matters

• Author
• Though the writer does not identify himself, both
  church tradition and early manuscripts ascribe
  this gospel to the Apostle Matthew.
• Matthew (aka Levi) a former tax collector for the
  Roman government, called as an Apostle of Jesus
  Christ.
• Date Written before 70 AD. Scholars differ on
  how early, with a range from 40 to 60 AD.
• Audience Jews, as is clear from Matthews
  purpose in writing and frequent appeals to the OT.

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Major Themes in Matthew

• God this term appears some 48 times all 3
  members of the trinity are referred to.
• Kingdom of Heaven/Kingdom of God/King
• Fulfillment of the OT
• The Teaching (including parables) and Miracles of
  Jesus

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Purpose Statement for Matthew

• Matthew writes to demonstrate to his fellow Jews
  that Jesus of Nazareth is the promised Messiah of
  the Old Testament, and that He will return to
  rule in power and glory despite Israels
  rejection of Him.

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Structure of Matthew

• Six Major Discourses
• Sermon on the Mount (51 729) Jesus
  contrasts the teaching of the scribes and
  Pharisees with His own, revealing the true intent
  of the Law.
• Sending out the Twelve (101 111) Jesus sent
  His disciples to proclaim the same message He
  had, gave them power to perform the same
  authenticating works, and warned them of the
  opposition they would face.
• Mysteries of the Kingdom (131-53) Jesus turns
  to a parabolic ministry in light of His rejection
  by Israels leaders. These parables provide new
  revelation about the nature of the kingdom until
  His second coming.

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Structure of Matthew

• Six Major Discourses
• Character of Kingdom Citizens (181 191)
  Jesus makes clear that those who wish to be great
  in His kingdom must become like children. They
  must also be willing to humbly confront others
  and forgive others.
• Rebuke of Israels Leaders (231-39) Jesus
  soundly rebukes the hypocrisy of the scribes and
  Pharisees, and predicts the desolation of
  Jerusalem (2337-39).
• Olivet Discourse (241 261) Jesus teaches
  His disciples about events of Daniels 70th week,
  culminating in His return to the earth and the
  establishment of His kingdom. This discourse also
  includes parables on faithfulness in the present
  age.

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Three Major Movements in Matthew

• Matthew 1 10
• The presentation of Jesus of Nazareth as the
  indisputable King of the Jews, including His
  Davidic lineage, prophesied birth and forerunner,
  fitness to rule, and authoritative teaching and
  works.
• Matthew 11 12
• In these two chapters Matthew shows how most of
  those to whom Christ ministered rejected Him.
  While opposition to Christ had begun as early as
  Herods attempt to have Him killed as an infant,
  and continued throughout Jesus public ministry,
  it is here that it reaches critical mass.
• Matthew 13 28
• Chapter 13 begins the final section of Matthews
  gospel, in which he describes the remainder of
  Jesus ministry in light of His rejection by the
  nations leaders. Jesus provides new instruction
  about the kingdom to His disciples in light of
  this rejection, much of it in parables.

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Outline of Matthew

• Presentation of the King (1 4)
• Documents Jesus davidic lineage, birth,
  forerunner, fitness to rule (temptation), and
  opening public ministry.
• Proclamation of the King (5 7)
• Theme passage of this sermon is 517-20. Christ
  is contrasting the teaching of the Scribes and
  Pharisees with His own authoritative teaching and
  clarifying the true intent of the Law.
• Power of the King (8 10)
• Miraculous works performed by Christ as a
  messianic ID card. Power given to the apostles as
  well.
• Progressive Rejection of the King (11 12)
• Transitional chapters that show that most of
  those to whom Christ ministered, especially the
  religious leaders, did not believe (see 1120-24
  and 1222-24). Prompts Christs turn to a
  parabolic ministry.
• Preparation of the Kings Disciples (13 20)
• Jesus begins to spend more time with His
  disciples and less with the multitudes. After
  leading Peter to his great confession (1616),
  Christ begins to speak explicitly about His
  impending death and resurrection (1621).
• Presentation and Rejection of the King (21 27)
• The final week of Christs life, including the
  triumphal entry, teaching in the Temple and on
  the Mount of Olives, last supper, betrayal,
  arrest and trial, crucifixion and burial.
• Proof of the King (28)
• He is risen! Christs commission to the
  disciples.

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The Mediatorial Kingdom of God through History
Northern Kingdom
Descent of the Spirit
Return of Christ
Rapture
722 BC
United King.
New heavens earth
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Southern Kingdom
1000 years
586 BC
Mysteries of the Kingdom (Matt 13)
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Matthews Use of the Old Testament

• The formula that what was spoken through the
  prophet might be fulfilled or something similar.
• Not always a simple prediction and fulfillment
  (see Biblical Meaning of Fulfillment by
  Charles H. Dyer). Matthews meaning must be
  determined by context both in the OT and the NT.
• Examples
• Out of Egypt did I call my Son (Hos 111-2 in
  Matt 215).
• Rachel weeping for her children (Jer 3115 in
  Matt 217-18).
• Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Zech 99 in
  Matt 214-5).

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Next Week Gospel of Mark