Authoritative Testimony in Matthew's Gospel

Authoritative Testimony in Matthew's Gospel

  • Submitted By: jabinyo
  • Date Submitted: 12/04/2010 12:50 AM
  • Category: Religion
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AUTHORITATIVE TESTIMONY IN MATTHEW’S GOSPEL

BINUYO AKINTOYE JOSEPH
JANUARY 20TH, 2010.

INTRODUCTION
Rounding a corner from the traditions transmitted before the Gospels were written to the Gospels themselves. A rich Gospel like Matthew has multiple purposes working at the same time. But surely a main one is the mission of Jesus and his commission of the Twelve.
Nonetheless, this paper will be focusing on the authoritative testimony in Matthew’s Gospel. It will highlight the authorship and title, date, purpose and literary features. It will also bring to light how the disciples were presented in Matthew’s Gospel and Jesus’ authority boosting the confidence of the disciples.
AUTHORSHIP AND DATE
A Gospel most likely acquired prestige not only because of its intrinsic merits but because it bore the name of an apostle. According to Raymond Brown, “A tax collector among the Twelve, wrote either the Gospel or a collection of the Lord’s sayings in Aramaic”.
The precise date of the writing of Matthew's Gospel is not known. Some scholars argue for a date later than the destruction of Jerusalem in a. d. 70. However, Raymond brown would say that the Gospel of Matthew was written in “80-90, give or take a decade”.
Matthew is keen on showing us that the Twelve embody authoritative, participatory eyewitness testimony. They receive their special status by their proximity to Jesus and commissioned them.
AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE
Authority is derived from the Greek word “ἐξουσια” meaning authority. It can also be derived from the Latin word “autoritas” meaning invention, advice, opinion, influence or commands which originate from an auctor indicating that authority originates from a master, leader or author. However, some people accepted Jesus’ message of the kingdom and the challenge he presented in a stark, literal way by leaving their families and ordinary livelihood to travel with Jesus, receive his teaching at length, assist his needs, and share his...

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