Summary of Matthew

The Gospel of Matthew is one of four gospels in the Holy Bible. Matthew was one of the 12 apostles that were with Jesus Christ throughout His ministry on earth. Matthew was a Jewish tax collector that left his profession to follow the Lord, we are given a personal witness account of many miracles that Jesus performed prior to His suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and being crucified on the cross.

The Gospel of Matthew is divided into eight sections that describe different parts of Jesus’ life. It begins with the Genealogy of Jesus and follows with Gospel records of the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. It also describes in detail the baptism of Jesus and His temptation by Satan in the desert. After 40 days and nights of fasting Jesus resisted all temptation. We learn of His ministry while in Galilee, where He commissioned the 12 Apostles, preaches The Beatitudes, performs miracles and teaches many lessons on subjects like; adultery, divorce, giving, prayer, judging, treasures in Heaven and warnings for not following the Gospel or the Commandments.

Jesus also teaches many parables to provide examples to His lessons. Jesus performs the miracle of feeding five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fish (Matthew 14:17). He also walks on water (Matthew 14:25). In Chapter 17 we learn of the transfiguration that was witnessed by three of His disciples; John, Peter and James (Matthew 17:1). Finally, towards the end of Matthew, we learn that Jesus returned to Galilee, where He predicts of His death. We learn of His entry back into Jerusalem where He is tried and crucified on the cross as a sacrifice for all the sin in the world. Jesus is resurrected and on the third day rises and tells His Apostles to preach unto the world!

Matthew 28

Posted on November 17, 2013 by zachridd Standard Reply

Matthew 28:

Jesus Christ is Risen

At the end of the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the Sepulchre , where Jesus lay. As they were there, a great earthquake shook the earth and an angel appeared before them and said; “…Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said… go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead…” (Matthew 28:5-7)

The women leave, running with great joy to go and tell the disciples. On their way to tell the disciples, Jesus intersects them, and they fall to His feet. Jesus tells them; “…Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.” (Matthew 28:10)

When the chief priests and elders found out what had happened, they go to the soldiers and pay them to lie. They tell them to say that the disciples of Jesus came and stole His body, while the soldiers slept. This obviously is not true, but deception and lies have been around forever, and are always the result of Satan’s work.

When the disciples meet Jesus, some are a little skeptical. But Jesus tells them; “…All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” (Matthew 28:19) Jesus tells them that He will be with them until the end, but it is important that they spread His gospel.

Matthew 27

Posted on November 16, 2013 by zachridd Standard Reply

Matthew 27:

The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ

In the early morning hours the chief priests and elders took counsel against Jesus, and decided to put him to death. They bound Him and took Him away to go before Pontius Pilate, who was the governor of the land. Judas, who had betrayed Jesus, finds out what had happened and came before the chief priests. Judas was filled with guilt and desired to return the 30 pieces of silver that had been given to him to betray Jesus. He tells the chief priests; “…I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us?” (Matthew 27:27:4) Judas through the silver down in the temple and went home to hang himself. When the chief priests asked what they should do with the money, they took counsel and buried them in the potter’s field. This fulfilled what Jeremiah had prophesied about; “…And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; And gave them for the potter’s field…” (Matthew 27:9) The field was from then on called the “Field of Blood”.

Jesus stands before the governor (Pontius Pilate), where Jesus is asked; “…Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.” (Matthew 27:11) Pilate then asks Him if He knows about how many people are witnessing against Him. But Jesus does not respond, and Pontius marveled at this. While Pilate was questioning Jesus, he had in his custody a prisoner named Barabbas. In Hebrew, bar means ‘son of’ and abba means ‘father’ meaning that Barabbas was the ‘son of the father’. Pilate then goes before the people and asks them; “…Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?” (Matthew 27:17) The chief priests and the elders, persuaded the crowd to ask for the release of Barabbas. So Pilate asks; “…What shall I do then with Jesus which is called the Christ? They all said unto him, Let him be crucified. And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done?” (Matthew 27:22-23) But the crowd continued to cry louder and louder for the crucifixion of Jesus. Pilate washed his hands before them said to the crowd; “…I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.” (Matthew 27:24)

Barabbas was released to them and soldiers took Jesus and “scourged him”, meaning they whipped Him with a leather strap that had sharp glass, pottery or rocks tied into the leather. Then the soldier put a scarlet robe over His back, a crown woven of thorns on His head. The soldiers then got down on one knee and mocked Him, saying; “…Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit on him… and smote him on the head.” (Matthew 27:29-30) After they had finished mocking and beating Him, they led Jesus away to crucify Him.

The soldiers were leading Him to a place called Golgotha, which means the ‘place of a skull’, while on their journey there; Jesus was no longer able to bear the weight of His own cross. Because of this a man of Cyrene, by the name of Simon was compelled to carry the cross for Jesus. The soldiers gave Jesus Vinegar to drink, but He refused. Upon arrival to Golgotha the soldiers stripped Jesus and cast lots for his raiment. Setup above the cross, where Jesus was crucified, read; “…THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” (Matthew 27:37) And one the left and right of Jesus were two thieves, who were also being crucified. This just shows how little the despicable people around Him, thought of His being. While Jesus was suffering on the cross, many passed by and mocked Him.

“…Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.” (Matthew 27:40) – This is very interesting, because 3 days later, Jesus did build the temple again, His own body.

“He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.” (Matthew 27:42) – Even though the chief priests had seen His great miracles, seeing was not enough for them. Instead, every action or move that Jesus made would require proof. This is the very reason why seeing is not always believing. The priests had already seen, but wanted more. Thus proving that they would never be satisfied, even with the evidence placed before them.

In the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice towards the heavens; “…Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46) Many that were there, thought Jesus was crying out for Elias. And foolishly said, “…let us see whether Elias will come and save him.” (Matthew 27:49) But at that same moment Jesus “…cried again with a loud voice, [and] yielded up the ghost.” (Matthew 27:50) Immediately following the death of Jesus, the veil of the temple was rent in twain [it was torn] and the entire earth did shake. Graves of the saints were opened, and the dead did walk. Those who were around, began to fear greatly, saying; “…Truly this was the Son of God.” (Matthew 27:54) Many women and men, including Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses and Joseph went before Pilate and begged for the body of Jesus.

Pilate agrees to give the body and they take the body to a sepulchre, where they rolled a large stone in front of the door. Pilate remembered that it was said Jesus would arise the third day. So to be careful he commands soldiers to watch the sepulchre, to ensure that His disciples don’t take the body and then claim Jesus was resurrected.

Matthew 26

Posted on November 15, 2013 by zachridd Standard Reply

Matthew 26:

Suffering in the Garden

Jesus reminds his Apostles that in two days time the feast of the Passover will occur and some will come to betray him. Those who are against Jesus meet at the house of the high priest, Caiaphas, but decide not to act during Passover, for fear of an uproar by the people. Instead they decide to take Jesus “…by subtilty [by treachery], and kill him.” (Matthew 26:4)

While Jesus was in the house of Simon the leper, a woman comes to anoint Jesus with expensive oil. When the Apostles complain about the waste of the oil, and the money that could have gone to the poor, Jesus replies; “…ye have the poor always; but me ye have no always.” (Matthew 26:11) After this occurred, Judas Iscariot goes to the chief priests and agrees to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.

During the Passover meal, Jesus says to His Apostles; “…Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord is it I? And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me… Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.” (Matthew 26:21-23,25)

Jesus breaks bread and blesses it and gave it to his disciples, representing His body. Then he has them partake of wine (or water) and tells them that it represents His blood that will be shed for the remission of sins. Jesus explains that after he is gone, that the sheep shall be scattered. Jesus tells Peter that he will deny Him 3 times that same night. Jesus goes up to Gethsemane and asks His disciples to take watch, while he goes and prays. At Gethsemane, Jesus prays for the cup to pass from him. “…O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Matthew 26:39) Jesus tells His Father that he will do what He is commanded, regardless of what He will have to go through.

Jesus comes back from praying about an hour later to find Peter sleeping, he scolds Peter; “…What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:40-41) Judas comes with a small group of men to take away Jesus; Judas identifies Jesus with a kiss. Jesus is brought to Caiaphas to be “tried” before the elders, high priests and scribes. A false witness comes forward to say that Jesus claimed to be able to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days (which Jesus did say, but this is being used out of context). Jesus keeps silent, and then tells Caiaphas that he is indeed the Christ, and that Caiaphas will see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of the Father, and coming in glory. Caiaphas rents [tears] his clothes. The group of high priests decides that Jesus is guilty of death. Jesus is beaten, mocked, and spit on. The people around him say: “… Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?” (Matthew 26:68)

The council tries to identify others who were with Jesus, and ask Peter if he was with Jesus. Peter, however, denies Jesus three times, then the cock crows. Peter remembers that Jesus had said unto him, “…Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.” (Matthew 26:75)

Matthew 25

Posted on November 14, 2013 by zachridd Standard Reply

Matthew 25:

Parable of the 10 Virgins

Jesus relates the Parable of the 10 Virgins;

“…the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.” (Matthew 25:1-4)

While the bridegroom [Jesus] was approaching, the ten virgins slept. At midnight there was a loud cry made, that the bridegroom would shortly be arriving. Upon hearing this news, the ten virgins awoke and prepared for their journey to accompany Jesus. They prepared by getting their lamps ready, but those who were foolish finally realized that they did not have enough oil for their journeys and turned to those who had planned a head, saying; “…Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered… Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you…” (Matthew 25:8-9) The wise virgins suggest that those who did not bring ample oil, leave to go and buy the oil. But while there were out buying the oil; “…the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.” (Matthew 25:10) When the foolish virgins finally got enough oil and made it to the marriage, they knocked on the door, and said; “…Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.” (Matthew 25:11-12)

This Parable teaches us that we do not know when the Lord will come, and that we need to be ready at all times. We need to prepare ourselves in the last days for the arrival of the bridegroom [Jesus Christ], we need to be like the wise virgins. We need to stay clean, following all of God’s commandments. We need to be self-reliant and ensure that we have enough savings, enough food storage, etc. This will help us get through the storms that await us in life.

Jesus relates the Parable of Talents;

“…the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods… unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability…” (Matthew 25:14-15)

After the man had given his talents to his three servants, he departed for a time. While the man was gone the servants took their talents and did with them as they pleased.

The servant, who was given one talent, took his talent and buried it into the earth.
The servant, who was given two talents, took his talents and made two more talents.
The servant, who was given five talents, took his talents and made five more talents.

When the man returned from his journey he asked the servants what they had done with their talents. The first explained that he had made five talents, with the five that the master had given him. He now had 10 talents, the response from the master? “…Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of the lord.” (Matthew 25:21) The other servant, who had made two talents off of the two he had been given, was also given the same praise.

But, the servant who buried his talent, explained to the master that he “…was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth… His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant… Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have an abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath…” (Matthew 25:26,28-29)

Jesus ends his speaking in this chapter, by saying;

“…Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25:40)

We need to treat each other with respect and kindness. We need to help the needy, and feed the hungry, just as we would if Jesus himself was in our presence.

Matthew 23

Posted on November 12, 2013 by zachridd Standard Reply

Matthew 23:

Woe unto Hypocrites

Jesus speaks unto the multitudes gathered before him and pronounces woes upon the scribes and the Pharisees, explaining that “…all their works they for to be seen of men… to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.” (Matthew 23:5,7) Jesus explains that you should call no one your father, except your Father in heaven (see verse 9), I always wondered why the Catholic Priests called themselves, father?

Jesus then goes off on the Scribes and the Pharisees, saying; “…woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! …” (Matthew 23:12,14,15,23,,25,27,29…)

Saying that they shut up the kingdom of heaven against men… devour the widow’s home, make long prayer, stealing the gold of the temple, full of uncleanliness, full of hypocrisy, and murderers of the prophets.

Jesus ends his bashing of the scribes and Pharisees, asking how they rejected all the prophets? “Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city… O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” (Matthew 23: 34, 37)

Since the beginning of time, God has sent servants, the prophets to the earth. God has tried from the start to gather His children and save them, yet they keep rejecting His Prophets.

Matthew 21

Posted on November 10, 2013 by zachridd Standard Reply

Matthew 21:

Cleaning the Temple

Jesus commands two of His Apostles to go to a village, where they would find an ass and a colt tied. He commanded them to loose both of them and bring them back to Him. Jesus tells that that if anyone tries to stop them from taking the ass and the colt, that they are to say that it is for the Lord. This would fulfill a prophecy that a “…King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.” (Matthew 21:5) Jesus then got on the ass and rode into Jerusalem and everyone on the way asked who this man was; “…This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.” (Matthew 21:11) Upon arriving at Jerusalem, Jesus went into the temple and “…overthrew the tables of the money changers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer; but ye have made it into a den of thieves.” (Matthew 21:12-13) This shows that Jesus did not want moneychangers in the house of His father. This is important because it shows that churches should not be built for gain. If they are built for gain, then they become dens of thieves and are not houses of prayer. This is also interesting to see that Jesus does in fact have human characteristics and can be angered or upset.

While in the temple, after over turning tables, Jesus healed many people. After healing, Jesus left to Bethany, where he lodged. The next morning Jesus was hungered and went out to a fig tree, where the branches yielded no fruit, so Jesus essentially cursed the tree so it would never grow anything again, after it had withered the Apostles were shocked of His power. Jesus reminds them that with faith, they can move mountains. He also explains that “…all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing ye shall receive.” (Matthew 21:22)

Jesus returns to the temple and while their, some of the chief priests ask Jesus by what Authority does He perform His miracles. Jesus asks them; “…I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John whence was it? From heaven or of men?” (Matthew 21:24-25) The chief priests are a little baffled, because if they say from heaven, then Jesus would ask them why they didn’t believe in His authority. But if they say by men, then they would fear the people, because the people believed that John was a prophet. So they answered Jesus by telling Him that they could not tell. So Jesus responds; “…Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.” (Matthew 21:27) This shows that Authority is important to have, Jesus had the proper authority from His Father, but He had nothing to prove and did not have to tell those questioning Him, by where He received His Authority.

Jesus then explains the Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen:

There was a man who planted a vineyard and dug a wine press around it, and built a tower. This man left his home and went into the far country. When the fruit became ready for harvest he sent some servants to the husbandmen (who were taking care of the house) so that they could harvest the fields. The husbandmen took the servants, beat one, killed another and stoned the last one. So the man of the field sent more servants and the husbandmen did likewise to these new servants.

Finally the man sent his son, whom he thought wouldn’t be killed by the husbandmen. When the son arrived the husbandmen said among themselves; “…This is the heir; come let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.” (Matthew 21:38) The man who owns the farm is represented of as God the Father, who sent servants (Prophets) to collect the harvest in the land (the earth), but the husbandmen (the people of the world) rejected the servants and killed them. So finally God the Father sent His Son, whom the people also rejected and killed

Jesus asks those gathered; when the man of the field (the Lord of the field) comes back, what do you think he will do to the husbandmen? “…He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits of the season.” (Matthew 21:41)

Jesus is the stone that the builders rejected, but He has become the head of the corner. Jesus tells them; “…The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.” (Matthew 21:43-44)

Jesus was explaining that because of His own rejection, that one day the Gospel would be restored and given to a new people. The Gospel of Jesus Christ was restored in the early 1800’s in the newly formed United States of America. This church, the church Jesus Christ himself restored is the ‘Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’. This had to be done, because as Isaiah pointed out; “The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.” (Isaiah 24:5) The gospel of Jesus Christ over the years was changed and distorted, thus the need for a Restoration and Another Testament of Jesus Christ; The Book of Mormon (which was written in Ancient America at the same time the Bible was being written in the old world.)

Matthew 20

Posted on November 9, 2013 by zachridd Standard Reply

Matthew 20:

Parable of the Laborers

Jesus addresses his disciples and gives them the Parable of the Laborers:

The Kingdom of Heaven is likened unto a man that hired laborers, who he agreed to pay 1 penny per day. Three hours after the original laborers had started the work, he found more idle workers in the market place and agreed to pay them 1 penny per day for their labor. Into the 6^th hour he finds more laborers and gives them the offer for 1 penny per day for their labor. Then finally in the 11^th hour he finds more laborers and offers them the same deal, 1 penny per day for their labor.

At the end of the day the man tells the steward to call the laborers and give them their pay for their labors of that day, from last to the first. Each laborer received 1 penny for their laborers, which caused the laborers who had worked longer to murmur against the man of the house. The man of the house explains to one of the murmuring laborers; “…Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?” (Matthew 20:13)

Even though the workers were murmuring the man of the house had made a deal with them and was being fair according to the deal that he made with each individual laborer. The man of the vineyard asks the laborer who was murmuring; “Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen” (Matthew 20:15-16)

Jesus then addresses the group gathered and foretells about his crucifixion and resurrection. “…the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28)

Matthew 19

Posted on November 8, 2013 by zachridd Standard Reply

Matthew 19:

Marriage/Judgment of the 12

After Jesus had ended his speaking, He departed from Galilee and came to the coasts of Judea, where multitudes followed him and came to be healed of Jesus. The Pharisees quickly joined him to criticize and tempt Jesus by asking Him seemingly difficult questions; “…Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?” (Matthew 19:3) Jesus responded to their criticism; “…Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” (Matthew 19:4-6) Jesus makes it clear that marriage is not only a sacred communion, but also something done between man and woman. The Pharisees then asked Jesus why Moses was able to grant writings of divorcement. Jesus explains that because of the hardness of people’s hearts it had to be done. But He made it clear that this was not mean to be, and for anyone divorcing for anything other than adultery, will cause both to commit adultery

After Jesus had spoken these words, some little children were not permitted to come unto Jesus, of course after just speaking to the Apostles about little children in Matthew 18, Jesus said; “…Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for such is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:14) After Jesus had blessed the little children, a man came unto Jesus asking him what he should do to enter into the kingdom of heaven. The man explained to Jesus that he had followed all the commandments. Jesus tells the man to sell all his possessions, give them to the needy and then follow Him. The man went away in sadness, because he had great riches. Jesus then explains to His disciples that it is difficult for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.

So here is the important question: Does having money, or being rich, make you bad? Can you still enter into the kingdom of heaven with riches? Money, in of itself is not a bad thing. There are plenty of wealthy individuals throughout the world that do MUCH good. However, if one were to focus on nothing but money, being obsessed with it, then it is bad. So can a rich man enter into heaven? YES. Can he enter with his riches? NO. Therefore it is important to gain not only earthly treasures, but heavenly treasures that you can take with you into the next life.

Jesus ends his address in this chapter by telling the Twelve Apostles with Him, that they will become judges in the last days and that for anything a disciple of Christ loses in this life, it will be given; “…an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.” (Matthew 19:29-30) If we work to do good in this life, and we have to give up or lose things in this life, Jesus has given us a promise that we will receive it back in heaven 100 times.

Matthew 18

Posted on November 7, 2013 by zachridd Standard 1

Matthew 18:

We need to forgive our brothers

The Twelve Apostles come to Jesus and ask him; “…Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (Matthew 18:1) and Jesus responded to them by having a little child come before the midst of them;

“…Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3-4) Essentially Jesus taught His disciples and now those reading the Bible that we need to become as humble and submissive as a little child. Does that mean that we need to act like children on that level of maturity? No. It means that we need to become as innocent as a child, clean without blemish.

Jesus goes on to elaborate “…whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he was downed in the depth of the sea.” (Matthew 18:5-6) It is clear that children are pure and innocent; children are the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. If this is true why do they have need for baptism? The answer is simple, baptism for children is unnecessary, baptism is for those who need to be clean, not for those who are already clean. It is also clear that those who harm children will be punished for their sins. Those who do ANYTHING to offend one of God’s little ones, would have done better to drown in the depths of the sea. “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones…” (Matthew 18:10)

Jesus goes on to explain His mission on the earth and the mission that we, as disciples, must follow. “For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.” (Matthew 18:11) Jesus tells a story about a man who had 100 sheep, and one went astray. He explains that sometimes you need to leave the 99, to go and find the 1 that got lost. When the man finds the one that got away, his joy is greater that with those who did not go astray. In this manner we need to seek out those who are lost, even if it means abandoning, for a time, those who are not lost.

Jesus continues to explain some very important doctrine;

“…in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.” (Matthew 18:16)

2 or 3 witnesses can establish the truth. This is why it is important for Mormon Missionaries to go out 2 by 2.

“…Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 18:18)

In the end of the Old Testament (Malachi 4:5-6), it was prophesied that Elijah would come to turn the hearts of the children to the father and vice versa. This was the power given by Elijah in the last days to seal families together forever, through the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, and through His church in the Last Days; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20)

Wherever a few people are gathered, there will also be the Spirit of God. This does not mean that because 2 or 3 are gathered that churches should be formed without Authority from God, but it does mean that if those 2 or 3, or even more people are bound together with similar desires and moral aptitudes that the Spirit of God will be with them.

After Jesus had done much speaking, Peter asks Him; “…how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:21-22) Does that mean that we are only supposed to forgive someone 70 x 7= 490 times? What Jesus meant is that we need to always forgive someone, especially if their desires are pure and their intentions are great. Jesus continues to address forgiveness with a story about a man who owed a great debt. This man was unable to pay the debt and begged his creditor for mercy. The creditor had mercy on him and forgave his debts. However, that same debtor who was forgiven of his debts, went and found a man who owed him money. This man was not as kind and did not have mercy on him, but instead cast him into prison. When the original creditor found that he did not forgive as he was forgiven, he was upset. Jesus explains that; “…likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hears forgive not everyone his brother their trespasses.” (Matthew 18:35)