Mwamba World Outreach School Of Ministry/ Introduction to The New Testament

THE BOOK OF MATTHEW:

THE REVELATION OF JESUS AS MESSIAH

1.  Mat 13:53-17:27  Here matthew follows Mark more closely but with some significant additions. The story of Jesus walking on the sea now includes the incident of Peter trying to emulate Jesus and failing.  And where the disciples in mark are filled with amazement and do not understand what is going on,  in Mathhew they worship Jesus as the Son of god.

2.  Most important, when jesus asks his diciples who they think he is, Peter confesses him as the Son Of the living God. ( Mat 16:16 ).  Jesus comments that God has revealed this to him ( cf Mat 11:25-27 ) and adds that Peter is the Rock on which he will build his church.  Only here ( Mat 16:18 ) and Matthew 18:17 does the term "Church" (ekklesia) occur in the Gospels, the disciples form a new ongoing community that will be invisible against all opposition.  the  "gates of Hades"  ( Mat 16:18 ) symbolize the powers of the underworld, which will attack the church.

3  Jesus' authority to open the kingdom of heaven to all believers is extended to his disciples  (cf Mat 18:18 ).  With this teaching authority Peter stands over against the Pharisees, whose teaching is rejected. For the future Jesus hands over his own authority to the disciples.  the Church is accordingly the new Israel, established by Jesus. 

4.  The Community of disciples:  ( Mat 18 ) Conduct in this new community figures in the fourth teaching section.  ( Mat 18 ) Jesus stresses the importance of the  "little ones"  ( humble believers rather than just children ).  The parable of the lost sheep is oriented to the duty of disciples to care for erring believers.