What many periods does Matthew divide the line of our second? generations does each of these divisions comprise? "Fourteen generations." Is it of importance for us to have these accounts of the generation of Jesus Christ? Yes; of great importance. Why so? Because they show us of what tribe and family the promised Messiah came. Of what tribe was he? Of what family was Of the tribe of Judah.* Were the Jews very particular in keeping account of their parentage? Yes. 18. What event is recorded in this verse? of Jesus Christ. The birth The Son Who was Who is Jesus Christ? of God, and the Saviour of the world. his mother? Mary. Was Mary a married woman, or a virgin ? "A virgin." ter. What, then, is meant by her being "espoused?" That she was engaged to be married. To whom was she engaged? To Joseph. What was Joseph by trade? A carpenWhat is said of Mary before they came together? "She was found with child of the Holy Ghost." Who is the Holy Ghost? person of the glorious Godhead. persons are there in the Godhead? * Gen. xlix. 10. The third How many Three; the + Jer. xxiii. 5, 6. Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Are there, then, three Gods? No; there is but one God. Is the nature of God above our comprehension? Yes. Why did That she Did Mary Is there not something even in our own nature that is above our comprehension? Yes; the union of soul and body in one person. Do we ever think of denying that the soul and body form one person, because we cannot understand their union? No. 19. What account does the Evangelist give us of Joseph's character? He was "a just man." What are we to understand by a just man? A good, religious man. What did he wish to do to Mary? To put her away. How did he think of putting her away? "Privily," that is, privately. Joseph wish to put her away privately? might not be made a public example. deserve to be made a public example? was a virtuous woman. 20. How was Joseph relieved from his perplexity? "The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream." What are angels? Holy and happy spirits. Are all angels holy and happy? No; there are some who kept not their first estate of holiness and happiness. What are those fallen angels called? Demons; or, the devil and his angels.* What is the present condition of these fallen spirits? They are reserved in everlasting chains, under darkness, unto the judgment of the great day.t Are not these evil angels employed Matt. xxv. 41. .: + Jude 6. No; she in tempting mankind to sin? Yes. How, then, can they be said to be in chains? The expression denotes the certainty of their future punishment; as a criminal who is chained cannot escape. What is the great honour and happiness of those angels who have not sinned? They do always behold the face of our Father, who is in heaven.* And what is the employment of these holy angels, in reference to the church on earth? istering spirits, sent forth to shall be heirs of salvation.t They are all minminister for them who Was this a holy or an evil angel, who appeared to Joseph? A holy angel. Who sent this angel? The Lord. What did the angel say to Joseph? "Joseph, thou son of David; fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife." Why is Joseph here called a son of David? Because he was a descendant of David. What more did the angel say? "For that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost." See ver. 18. Who is the Holy Ghost? 21. What did the angel predict concerning Mary? "She shall bring forth a son." What was his name to be? "JESUS." What is the meaning of Jesus? A Saviour. Why was he to be called Jesus? Because "he shall save his people from their sins." Who, in ancient times, were called "his people;" or, the people of God? The Jews. Did our Lord Jesus come to save the Jewish nation only? No; he came to be a light to lighten the Matt. xviii. 10. + Heb. i 14. B Gentiles, and the glory of his people Israel.* What is meant by saving his people "from their sins"? From the guilt of sin; the power of sin; and the punishment of sin. Would you wish to be delivered from the punishment of sin? Yes. How may you know that you will be saved hereafter from the punishment due to sin? delivered from the guilt and Only by my being power of sin now. What can deliver you from the guilt of sin? The blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all sin t And what can deliver you from the power of sin? The grace of God that bringeth salvation.‡ 22. When the birth of Christ took place, after the manner here related, what was fulfilled? The word which was "spoken of the Lord by the prophet." By what prophet? By Isaiah. What is a prophet? One inspired to teach, and to foretel things to come. Are not some of the prophets called greater, and others lesser prophets? Yes. Wherein does that distinction consist? The greater prophets are those who wrote the larger books, as Isaiah, Jeremiah, &c.; and the lesser prophets are those who wrote the smaller books, as Hosea, Joel, &c. Are there any inspired prophets in our day, or may we expect any to arise? No; the will of God is complete in the Bible. 23. What was the prophecy of Isaiah, referred to? “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son.' ."§ * Luke ii. 32. 1 John i. 7. Titus ii. 11 Isa. vii. 14. Does the prophet foretel one of the names by which the child Jesus should be called? Yes; "they shall call his name Immanuel" (or Emmanuel*). How is the word name frequently used in the Scriptures? Name is often put for being, character, or perfections. What, then, are we to understand by the Lord Jesus being called Emmanuel? That in the constitution of his nature he should be what that name imports. And what does that name import? Emmanuel signifies "God with us." Are you sure, that this is the true meaning of the word Emmanuel? Yes; Matthew so interprets it. What Now, is it to interpret? To give the meaning. then, show me how the name Emmanuel, in its import, applies to the Lord Jesus Christ? As a divine person, he is God; and, when he assumed human nature, he became "God with us." 24. When the angel had ceased speaking, what occurred to Joseph? He awoke from sleep. And what did he do? He took unto him his wife, as the angel had bidden him. 25. When did he live with Mary, as his wife? Not till she had brought forth her first-born Son. What was the new-born child called? Jesus. Who called him so? Joseph. Why did Joseph call him by that name? Because the angel of the Lord had directed him to do so. ing of Jesus? See ver. 21. * Isa. vii. 14. What is the mean As in 1sa. lvii. 15. |