Macon beacon., 1910-04-15
How Matthew Show. the Divinity Of Christ.

A1ISI q CdIS1Ul IcdOlIl& VI L1C NOSPCl
it would seem that ary skeptic would
understand and accept the plan of sal
walton. finding in the gospel every
proof of the divinity of Christ. Let us
review the book of Matthew alone,
and see how this disciple proves Him
the true Christ, eternal Prophet, Priest,
and King.
From the book of Matthew, we may
give the following facts as proof of
His divinity:
l. Because he fulfls all prophecy.
2. Because of His lineal descent
from Abraham, and His birth as the
Son of God.
3. Divine sanction at baptism and
transfgura ton.
4. He manifests his triple office Of
Prophet, Priest and King, unfolding
the true nature of His Kingdom and its
future.
5. By prophetic revelation of the
judgment Of the Jewish nation and the
world.
g. His Crucifxion and Resurrection.
The book of Matthew is peculiarly
characterised by repeated reference to
the Law and Prophets. Through the
entire book, we find the fulfilling of
the prophecy after another is foretold,
the Son Of Man vas born in Bethlehem
where Israel groaned under the yoke of
oppression, was carried into Egypt,
became a Nazarene, had as his fore
runner John the Baptist. He fulfils
the scriptures in his mission, his Cali
leean ministry, his triumphant ntry
into Jerusalem, publication of the tenn
pie. His miraculous powers, His re-
lection by the Jews. AS foretold, He
is betrayed by His own friend, deserted
by disciples, falsely accused, insulted,
scourged, mocked and through all suf-
ferirg, he was as a lamb before her
shearer, dumb.
Again, as prophesied, He died with
malefactors, for 11is vesture lots were
cast. He was offered gall and vinegar,
his side was pierced, but no bone was
broken. According to prophecy, on the
cross he prayed for his enemies, and
the earth did quake, and the rocks
rent, and He made His grave with the
wicked, and with the rich in his death.
David had fOretold the Resurrection:
Neither wilt thou suffer- Thy Holy
One to see corruption, (Ps. 1610)
We find that Christ from birth to
ascension fully completes the Old Tes-
lament history and covenant. He is
the one Antitype in whom all has been
fulfilled.
AS to the geneaiogy of Christ,
showing Him to be descended from
Abraham, an evidence of His being the
promised seed, in whom all nations
should be blessed. He gives US an &C
count Of his divine birth which proved
him to have been conceived by the Ho-
ly Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary.
At Christ's baptism and at his trans
figuration, we have evidence of His
Divinity. In the first instance, this is
shown by the fact that there the three
persons of the God head acted in uni
son. The dove descended upon Him
symbolizing the out pouring of the
Holy Spirit. the voice Of the Father
was a testimony from Heaven of
Christ's sonship, his character, and
mission.
At the transfgura ton, Moses stands
as a representative of the Lord. Elias
of the prophets, and Christ, the full
fillment of both the voice from Heaven
said: This is my beloved Son, in whom
1 am we'll pleased; hear ye Him.
In Matthew, Christ manifests his
triple office Of Prophet, Priest and
King with what variance with
popular ideas. The prophetic has pas
ed into the teaching office; priesthood
into the redemption by suffering
kingship into the supremacy of al
mighty grace, restoring fallen world.
What wonderful teacher was Christ!
So marvelously did he impart divine
truths that even his enemies declared
''Never man spoke like this man."
How different was he from the high
priest of the time in their ceremonial
observances, in their minute interpre-
tations of the law. Of Christ Paul
said: "For we have net an high priest
which we cannot be touched with the
feeling of our infirmities but was in
all points tempted like as we are, not
without sin. Is it strange that his