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:
- The fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy
- The revelation of the kingdom of God
- A call to discipleship (4:18-22; 8:18-22)
The last meeting with Christ did three things:
- God – Christ’s authority – Assured his disciples of his power
- Destroying death by death and his ultimate resurrection prove Jesus’ universal authority in heaven and on earth.
- Humanity, created beings – Teaching and Observing – He gave them a commission
- We are called as Christians who are baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, to baptize in this name.
- God – The Holy Spirit – He promised them a presence
- God is always with us through the Holy Spirit because He is “everywhere present and fills all things.”