The Book of Matthew

It is sometimes unclear what the purpose of the Church is in our times. Matthew makes it clear that the main objective of the Church, the Body of Christ, should be evangelism. The time of the Gentiles to get the message of God’s salvation to all who will listen is limited and it will usher in the King of kings to a restored Israel.

Matthew is the only Gospel writer who speaks directly of the church . He points to the Gentile composition of this church by including several stories of the Gentiles’ faith in Jesus: the wise men, the centurion, and the Canaanite woman. He records Jesus’ prediction that the gospel will be preached to all nations, and the commission to the disciples to “make disciples of all the nations”. Jesus’ teaching pointed to the blessings of the kingdom being extended to Gentiles. But one day, Israel will be restored to its place of blessing.

16:18
¹⁸ And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 

18:17
¹⁷ And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. 

24:14
¹⁴ And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. 

28:19
¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”