Matthew 28:16-20

The Gospel of Matthew

Session 28 – 5/4/2014

Fr. John Codis

Matt 28:16-20 – The Great Commission

 

Facts about the Gospel of Matthew:

AUTHOR: Matthew, the son of Alphaeus (Mark 2:14)

TIME WRITTEN: Possibly between 58-70 A.D.

POSITION IN THE BIBLE:

  • 50th Book in the Bible
  • 1st Book in the New Testament
  • 1st of 4 books of Biography  (Matthew – John)
  • 26 Books to follow it.

CHAPTERS: 4

VERSES: 55

WORDS: 1,782

Major Theme:

“Christ, the Incarnate God, Immanuel, has inaugurated the kingdom of God and the new covenant, which is realized in the true Israel, the Church.”  Subthemes include:

  1. The fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy
  2. The revelation of the kingdom of God  
  3. A call to discipleship (4:18-22; 8:18-22)

The last meeting with Christ did three things:

  1. God – Christ’s authority – Assured his disciples of his power
    1. Destroying death by death and his ultimate resurrection prove Jesus’ universal authority in heaven and on earth.
  2. Humanity, created beings – Teaching and Observing – He gave them a commission
    1. We are called as Christians who are baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, to baptize in this name.
  3. God – The Holy Spirit – He promised them a presence
    1. God is always with us through the Holy Spirit because He is “everywhere present and fills all things.”