This book aims to demonstrate that the Matthean Gospel makes a unique contribution to New Testament theology with regards to the mission of Christ and the meaning of the cross by forming a macro inclusio. The study is an exercise in biblical theology which aims to address Matthew’s unique Christological perspective. The assertion, therefore, is that Matthew provides a sufficient and distinctive explanation of the mission of Jesus Christ that links his death to the forgiveness of sins. This is demonstrated especially by an inclusio at the beginning and end of the Gospel account, Matt 1:21 and 26:28. Although there has been a renewed interest in biblical theology in recent years, Matthew’s theology has still not received as much attention as some other areas of New Testament studies. Moreover, although some aspects of Matthean Christology have been explored, the mission of Christ and the meaning of his death on the cross according to Matthew and the doctrine of the forgiveness of sins in his Gospel account have not been given sufficient consideration. As a result of this deficit in Matthean studies, the two-part thesis of this research project is that (1) Matthew’s Gospel account offers a unique explanation of the mission and the cross of Jesus Christ, and, together with that focus, (2) the doctrine of the forgiveness of sins is one of the major themes in the Gospel of Matthew. In accord with the thesis, standards are given for determining the passages most relevant. After determining the relevant passages, these passages are then analyzed individually. Current scholarship on the subject is also examined to determine the Matthean understanding of the cross of Christ and the forgiveness of sins. Apart from the other canonical Gospel accounts, this book seeks to demonstrate that Matthew has a distinct perspective on Jesus’ mission, the meaning of the cross, and the important Christian concept of the forgiveness of sins.

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Wesley C. McCarter, Ph.D. serves as pastor of Rural Hall Christian Church and as professor and director of the Doctor of Ministry program at Charlotte Theological Seminary. Dr. McCarter has earned B.A. and M.A. degrees in biblical studies, a D.Min. in biblical preaching from Carolina Graduate School of Divinity, and the Ph.D. in Theology and New Testament from North-West University. Happily married since 2007, he and his wife Bridget live in North Carolina and are raising two daughters. The McCarters have established a jiu-jitsu school as well as a ministry for homeschooling families, and Dr. McCarter regularly teaches in both and stays active in the community in a number of other ways.