Today’s Quiz Emad’s Quiz (Gospels were written sometimes after Christ ascension? Who is St Matthew? What made us believe that St Matthew wrote to the Jews?; What are the points (statements) of St Matthew’s Gospel that confirm he wrote to the Hebrew/Jews? Did our Lord speak Hebrew or Aramaic? What is the Purpose (Central Aspects) of St Matthew’s Gospel?

Lecture 1 Conclusion; 4 Gospels only The 4 Gospels ties with the 4 Covenants, 4 Creatures, and Eden River that divided into 4 rivers. There are Internal evidences; within the Bible (old & New Testaments) to prove the 4 Gospels. External evidences; only 4 Canonical Gospels are inspired by the Holy Spirit, witnessed (& recognised) by the Apostolic fathers, Church tradition, the early translations, and the writings of the church fathers during the first 4 Centuries. Fake Gospels is the work of anti-Christ and have pieces of the truth.

Lecture 2 Conclusion; 4 Gospels Canonical book: Lawful, Inspired by God the Holy Spirit and convey all the truth about God and agrees with rest of the Bible (old & New Testaments) and has external evidences. Meaning of Testament & Gospel? Why written Gospel? Complete ….., Communicate…., source of Evangelism & Church Liturgy, & future proof. Why the 4 Gospels are canonical & sound? a- Agree to each other although written in different places & times. b- Agree with the books of history. C- Presented Christ as a weak man. d- Recorded the Apostles’ shameful behaviors. e- None of the personalities mentioned in the Gospels had denied the Gospel facts. f- Simple and plain writings replying on the power of the hidden Holy Spirit who will empower believers. Why 4? Our Lord Christ is like an infinite (vast) ocean and the 4 Gospels are likened to floodlights shining over such unique incarnated Logos (God).

Lecture 3 Conclusion Christ in the four Gospels The main purpose of the Gospels is to deliver the salvation message and God’s redeeming work: When the light of Christ shone on earth, man understood better and fully the mystery of life and his values for eternity were elated above what they used to be, for the Gospel of Christ is the truth that emits rays of hope to the lost and to sinners. Gave a deeper meaning to our life. It is a gospel to the transgressor, justification to the oppressed, shelter to the poor, support to women, and an embrace (hug) to little children…what a gospel!. God is our Creator, Redeemer and Intimate friend.

Christ in the four Gospels Christ won full victory over sin and darkness; He is the Anointed One of the New Testament. All what we learn about Christ is from the Holy Book; history only tells us that He exists. The Gospels tell us God exist and work in the human history, present and future. We should not dismiss the Scriptures and relies only on history. To evangelise about Christ according to Scriptures is to declare that His incarnation; Son of Man who Save us through his Cross, Death, Resurrection, Ascension and Sending of the Holy Spirit. Through the evangelising of the Gospels we can change hearts, renew lives, and offer an everlasting life in Jesus Christ.

Essential Principles in Bible Study God the Father God the Son God the Holy Spirit My father who provide, care, protect, promise, .........me. I am His son/daughter My example to follow........ My friend, trainer, ......, & role-model I am His disciple (follower) Live in me Sanctify me Use me I am His temple (partner) What God want to reveal, promise, ... and give me? What God want me to do through my hidden (private) relation with Him? What God want me to do to the people I live among? Search for God, Yourself and Your-mate; (all human)

The Gospel according to St. Matthew Who is the Author? : St. Mathew the apostle was moved & inspired by the Holy Spirit to write the 1st Gospel His name was Levi; means joined. His other name: Matthew was adopted as new apostolic name. Mathew means the gift of Jehovah. St. Mathew is the son of Alphaeus (other than James’ father); Jewish from Galilee. He was the chief tax collector at Capernaum, collecting taxes for Herod & the Romans. His Call: Jesus passed by Mathew’s office He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he left everything & did follow (Mat. 9: 9, Mark 2:14 & Luke 5: 27, 28.). Then, became one of the 12 disciples (Mat. 10: 3, Mark 3: 18, Luke 3: 15 & Acts 1: 13.) Preached in Ethiopia, Persia & other places, and was martyred.

Language, When & Where? The Aramaic* Manuscript (Edition) was written between 39-42AD in Palestine (Israel) The Greek Manuscript (Edition): 60-67AD in Rome The Greek Manuscript is just a translated copy of the Aramaic one. It was either rewritten by St. Matthew himself in Greek or translated by an a apostolic translator under the supervision of St Matthew. Please refer to P33 & 34 for more details. *Hebrew is used as first language and in society; other, similar Canaanite languages are known and understood. *Aramaic is used in international diplomacy and foreign trade. *Aramaic is used for communication between subjects and the imperial administration. *Aramaic gradually becomes the language of outer life (in the marketplace for example). *Aramaic gradually replaces Hebrew in the home, and the latter is used only in religious activity. During the 1st century , Jews have spoken Hebrew in the temple (worship ), Aramaic in daily communication (street, Market), Greek to communicate with external world and Roman Empire, and Latin was used only among the Roman army.

The Greek Translation It was not just a translation From Aramaic (/Hebrew) to Greek for the following reasons: Explained the terminology: the Hebrew words like: Emanuel= “God with us.” Mat.1: 23, & Golgotha, = Place of a Skull, Sadducees (who say no resurrection). Quoted the Hebrew OT prophecies and the Aramaic Gospel words. Explained the Hebrew costumes, which of course were well known for the Jewish people.

Addressees? (the Jews) The following points confirm that St Matthew wrote to the Hebrew/Jews : The genealogy of Christ: Abraham → David → Christ; Messiah the inheritor of king David & of Abraham through whom God gave the promises to the Hebrews. Recorded our lord Christ visit to Egypt; went to Egypt and came back to Israel as a continuation of the traditional history of the Israelites (came out of Egypt under Mosses leadership). Written in a perfect way to proof that Christ you have seen is the object of the Old Testament prophecies; quoting and referring to the Old Teasthe especially the book of Isaiah. Talks about the Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes, Jerusalem, Jewish Priesthood, & Jewish Traditions, more than the other gospels. (See Mat.5:35/ 23:20, 21/& 24:15) Emphasises on the traditions and rituals of the Jews and what was Christ reaction to these …..!

The only Gospel records the followings: The star to the Magi, The trip (flight) of our lord Jesus to Egypt, The slaughter of Bethlehem children by King Herod The woes that Christ poured on the Scribes & the Pharisees, The parable of the ten virgins; which was a Jewish wedding tradition, Pilate’s wife dream regarding the crucifixion of Christ, The resurrection of some of the dead (holy men of God) when Christ died; they appeared to many after Christ’s Resurrection, The bribe given by the Jewish leaders to the keepers of Christ’s tomb so that they will lie & claim that the disciples stole Christ’s body at night while they were asleep, And many other similar incidents that get the attention of the Jews to whom he wrote his gospel.

Addressees? (the Jews) The following points confirm that St Matthew wrote to the Hebrew/Jews …. continued: St Matthew did not (P35) explain the Jewish traditions & customs like the other evangelists did, because he wrote to Jews who are familiar of (Passover, Holy City, Raca (fool), Korban (gift). Instead portrayed Christ as a fulfillment & completion of the Old Testament (prophecies). He is the only evangelist recorded the statement made by Christ when He said to the Canaanite women, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” He mentioned: The 3 main corner-stones of the Jewish worship (Charitable deeds, prayer & fasting, in 6:1, 5 & 16). The Temple Tax (in 17:24-27) and Tithes in (23:23). The washing of hands as action of purification from blood (in 27:24).

What is Purpose of St Matthew’s Gospel Dogmatic Purpose; Introducing Christ to the Jews as the Anticipated Messiah foretold by the prophets to reign over David’s Kingdom in Whom all the prophecies & promises of the OT are fulfilled Last call to the Jews; you either accept Christ as the Anticipated Messiah or be ready for His judgment (condemnation)! Apologetic Purpose; Defending Christ & Christianity against the Jewish claims & plots. Therefore, he detailed Christ’s virginal birth from virgin Mary, how the angel defended her against St Joseph’s doubts, Christ’s triumphal Resurrection, the bribe given to the guards by the Jewish leaders to deny the Resurrection. This gospel is considered to be the “the early Christian Apology.” By R.V.G. Stasher.

What is Purpose of St Matthew’s Gospel Liturgical Purpose: G.D. Kilpatrick (a scholar) sees that this gospel was written for a liturgical purpose; to be read during the early Christian Liturgical Worship. This is due to the clarity, concision, consistency & balanced style. Other scholars see it in different way, believing that because of these characteristics the gospel was used for a liturgical purpose.