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Pasa Graphe' Theopneustos Kai Ophelimos (Greek) is one of the most often-repeated passages from the Scriptures, ie, the Bible.  The passage appears in the heading of our Facebook page.  But what does it say to us in our various tongues?  Well, for those of us who speak English, this passage is a bold testimony from the pen of one Paul, a first-century scholar from the Isrealite tribe of Benjamin.  It is also a statement steeped in the thelogy of the Biblical narratives.  So, Paul wrote to a young ethnic Jew named Timotheus: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable......"
At the time Paul wrote those words, there was not yet a codex known as the "New Testament."  The scrolls of papyrus on which were written the Scriptures are what we call today the "Old Testament."  In its immediate and limited interpretation, Paul is saying that the messages in the Old Testament are inspired by God.  That being so, who is the man who would say that the record of the flood in Noah's day was simply an allegory, and not an historical account?

Matthew

The Gospel according to Matthew makes an impor­tant claim: Jesus Christ fulfills all the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. This Good News is not simply for the Jews, but for everyone in the world, too.

Matthew organized his Gospel carefully. The early chapters cover the birth, baptism, and early temptations of Jesus. Then Matthew describes the ministry of Jesus—His teaching, preaching, and healing. The Gos­pel ends with the events leading to His crucifix­ion, burial, and resurrection.

Jesus is presented as the Great Teacher—the au­thoritative interpreter of the law of Moses.

Matthew di­vides the teachings of Jesus into five collections:

  • The Ser­mon on the Mount, including the Beatitudes;
  • The in­structions for the twelve disciples as they begin their mission;
  • The parables of the Kingdom;
  • His teachings on the meaning of discipleship; and, finally,
  • Christ’s teach­ing about the end of the age and the coming kingdom of glory.

As one of Christ’s disciples, Matthew heard the teachings of Jesus firsthand. That fact alone makes the Gospel of Matthew a thing to be studied and treasured.

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