Christian Martyr - Matthew the Apostle

Let's take a quick moment to mention a few things about Matthew the Apostle, in which his name signifies -- The Gift of God.

For the Scriptures would inform us that he was once a tax collector before the Lord Jesus Christ had called him into his inner discipleship circle.

Matthew was the sinner who had invited Jesus to come back to his house and dine with him, for he was having a great banquet.

Jesus would agree to go to the great banquet that Matthew was having, in which he would find himself amongst other tax collectors and sinners.

When the Pharisees who were also there had saw this, they questioned Jesus' judgment, for they asked the other disciples: "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

After Jesus had heard the questions in which the Pharisees were asking, the Lord responded by saying:

"It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." (Matthew 9:12-13)

Matthew would be found to be in a privilege and honorable position to be able to witness first hand the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Because of his unique position that he held within Jesus' inner circle, he would earn the task when it came to the writing and becoming the author of what we know today as the "Book of Matthew."

This book would be assembled with an even greater work, which is known as the story of Jesus Christ -- Four Gospels. Each Gospel was written a certain style and geared towards a certain group of people:

The Book of Matthew: This book was written in a style that was best suited for teaching; and was geared towards the Jews.

The Book of Mark: This book was written in a style that was best suited for preaching; and was geared towards the Romans.

The Book of Luke: Was written in a style that was best suited for history; and was geared towards the Greeks.

The Book of John: This book was written in a style that was best suited for theology; and was geared for towards the world as a whole.

History would lead us to believe that Matthew had written "The Book of Matthew" about eight years after our Lord Jesus Christ had ascended into the heavens,; and had taken His place within the Eternal Kingdom by sitting on the right hand side of the Almighty.

As I pointed out earlier, it's to be believed that this particular Gospel was written specifically for the Jewish Nation and that Matthew's writing was very unique, in which it was compared to a style that was best suited for teaching.

Matthew had also put a strong emphasis on Jesus, for he constantly reminded his readers that Jesus, was indeed, the "Promised Messiah" the one who had fulfilled all of the Old Testament prophecies. Matthew also focused more on the sermons that Jesus preached, more than any of the other four Gospels.

There isn't much history that is written on Matthew the Apostle; but we are lead to believe that he had preached in the land of Palestine for some years.

Next, we learnt that he had traveled to different foreign countries which would eventually lead him to the land of Ethiopia. It was here, at this place where Matthew had became associated with Candace, who was the reining queen of Ethiopia during that day.

Sadly, it is rumored, that later on Matthew was pinned to the ground and was then later beheaded by the ax in the Ethiopia city of Nadabah, somewhere around the time of 60 A.D..

1) Stephen the Deacon

2) James the Apostle

3) Philip the Apostle

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5) Andrew the Apostle

6) Matthias the Apostle

7) John Rogers

8) Alban of Verlamium