Dispensational Features In The Gospel Of Matthew -- By: Elliott E. Johnson
Journal: Journal of Ministry and Theology
Volume: JMAT 23:1 (Spring 2019)
Article: Dispensational Features In The Gospel Of Matthew
Author: Elliott E. Johnson
JMAT 23:1 (Spring 2019) p. 3
Dispensational Features In The Gospel Of Matthew
All of the Gospel accounts are compatible with a dispensational biblical theology. At the same time, each account has a distinctive emphasis. If the relationship between Israel and the church distinguishes between expressions of dispensationalism,2 then Matthew and Luke reflect that distinction.
Matthew features a stated distinction between the two. Jesus’ historic ministry was addressed to the house of Israel (10:6, 15:24). The church is introduced after that generation of Israel had rejected Jesus as the Son of David (12:23–42) and the disciples had confessed that the Son of Man is “the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (16:16). Although Israel reached into the past as the genealogy had indicated (1:1–17), the church would be built in the future. It would be built on the truth Peter confessed on behalf of the disciples. It was the truth revealed to the disciples about who Jesus is (16:17, 18). After Jesus’ resurrection, he commanded the disciples to make disciples in the church based on the truths taught in the Gospel account addressed to them (28:16–20).
Luke features a continuity reflected in the remnant of believers in the Gospel account and Acts. Jesus was born in the midst of a believing remnant (1, 2). In Galilee a remnant of disciples were chosen (5:1–6:16), and this remnant then joined Jesus in the journey to Jerusalem (9:51). They shared in the journey as Jesus traveled to seek and to save the lost (15:1–32; 19:10). The remnant of believers who had come to Jerusalem
JMAT 23:1 (Spring 2019) p. 4
became the remnant from with whom the church was born (Acts 1:1–2:46). “Those who believed were added to them” (Acts 2:47; 4:4; 23–37, etc.). Acts recorded the journey from Jerusalem where the church was founded (8:3) to Antioch, to Asia Mino...
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