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COPYRIGHT BY W ILLIAM EVANS
MATTHEW (Concluded).
the apostle, and the zealot in the obedient disciple o f the kingdom. Up to this time these men had been called disciples, now they are to be known as apostles—those sent forth. They are ambassadors with plenipotentiary powers. If cc. S-7—the Sermon on the M o u n t- show the disciples o f Christ in relation to the religion o f his day, then this chapter shows him in his relation to the world as representing Christ in it. 2 . The commission o f the Apostl'es, 10 : 5 - 42 - There are several things here demanding attention : (a ) The limitation o f the field and mes sage (10:1-8).. There is a temporary limit to the Commission, 10:5, (cf. 8 :7 ; 15:21; John 4.) God’s purpose was to; elect the Jew. and through him to ^extend the kingdom among the Gentiles. Some day this limit would be removed, and the fulness o f the Gentiles would come in. The field and message was limited, again, doubtless because the Gentiles were not yet ready to receive the gospel jj (Luke. 9:52, 53). Thus we see the mercy o f God in withholding light that would be rejected and result in greater condemnation. Or it may be that the field and message were limited because the gospel was not yet completed. A full gospel could not be preached until after Christ died, rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and the
So far in our study o f the gospel of Matthew, we have considered: A—The Advent o f the King (1:1-4:16), comprising His genealogy (1:1-17), personal coming (1:18-25), reception (2:1-23), inaugura tion (3:1-17),. and testing (4:1-11) ; B— The Proclamation of the Kingdom (4:17- 16:20), comprising its constitution (5-7), its signs ( 8 , 9 ), its messengers ( 10 ), the hindrances to its growth ( 11 , 12 ), and its progress (13-16:20). In our present les son we will conclude the gospel o f Mat thew. [Correction: On page 138, Febru ary, “ C” should have been “ II. The Signs of the Kingdom.” ] III. The Messenger* of the Kingdom— Enforcing the claims of the King dom, 9:36-10:42. The work o f the kingdom has' now assumed such proportions that the Master is unable to take upon Himself its burden« and responsibilities alone. He must have help. This section deals with, the Master’ s choice o f helpers to carry on His mis sion among mankind. i. The mission in which the Disciples were to engage, 9 : 36 - 10 : 5 . Three things are noticeable in Christ’s dealing with the disciples: He sets them to thinking, then praying, then working. ,The personnel o f the disciples is inter esting. Among them were Galileans, a zealot, a revolutionist, a publican. Cf. 1 Cor inthians 1 :26. But the publican is lost in
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