MATTHEW THE APOSTLE

By: Rana Zaid

Birth/Death/Occupation

• Matthew was born in the 1st century in Palestine. • Died in 34 AD in Hierapolis, Turkey.• His occupation was a tax collector, disciple of Jesus,

Gospel writer and a missionary.

Who was Matthew?

• Matthew was a dishonest tax collector driven by

greed until Jesus Christ chose him as a discipline.

Matthew was named Levi before his call by Jesus, it’s

a shortening name of Matthias which means the "Gift

of God".

Before• Matthew had a tax booth that was on the main highway, he

was collecting duties on important goods brought by

farmers and merchants. Tax collectors in those days were

known as social outcasts. Jews avoided them because they

believed they were dishonest. The Jewish people also hated

them because they were agents of the Roman government.

While under the Roman's Empire system, Matthew would

have paid all the taxes in advance, then collected tax from

the citizens and travelers to profit himself.

The Conversion

• On that same day Jesus invited Matthew to follow

him and he did. Matthew then threw a farewell feast

at his home in Capernaum where he lived. He also

invited his friends to meet Jesus as well. From that

time on instead of collecting tax money, he collected

souls for the Christ.

After• Matthew is one of the 12 disciples of Jesus, He is the

author of the first Gospel. Matthew wrote the Gospel

for the Jewish people. He wanted the Jewish people

to know that Jesus was the Messiah.

• After the conversion, he was believed to have

preached the Gospel in Africa, to the south of the

Caspian sea, Persia, Macedonia and Syria as well.

Accomplishments of Matthew

• He served as one of the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ.

As an eyewitness to the life of the Savior, Matthew

recorded a detailed account of Jesus’s message and

deeds in the Gospel of Matthew. He also served as a

apostle, spreading the good news to other countries.

Matthew’s Strengths • Matthew was an accurate record keeper. He knew

the human heart and the longings of the Jewish

people. He was loyal to Jesus and when he once

committed to being good, he never disobeyed in

serving the Lord.

Matthew’s Weaknesses

• Before he met Jesus, Matthew was greedy. He

thought money was the most important thing in life

and violated God’s Laws to enrich himself at the

expense of the citizens.

Life Lessons for Matthew

• Matthew learned that God can use anyone to help

him in his work and that people should not feel

unqualified because of there appearance, lack of

education, or there past. Jesus looks for sincere

commitment, and Matthew was a perfect example.

Matthew also learned that money, fame, and power

cannot compare with being a follower of Jesus Christ.

"St. Matthew." Saints. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Oct. 2013.

"St. Matthew the Apostle Oriole Anglican Church Toronto." St. Matthew the Apostle Oriole Anglican Church Toronto. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Oct. 2013

"Matthew the Apostle, Levi, Tax Collector, Bible Quizes, Bible Bios, Bible Stories." Matthew the Apostle, Levi, Tax Collector, Bible Quizes, Bible Bios, Bible Stories. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Oct. 2013.