The Book of Matthew The first of the Gospels has been assigned by the Church, from the earliest times, to Matthew, one of the Twelve Apostles, and in all ages has been given the first place in the New Testament. He was the son of Alphæus, as we learn from Luke, who also calls him Levi (Luke 5:27-29). He calls himself \"Matthew the publican,\" refusing to conceal in his own history the despised calling …showed first 75 words of 686 total…

…showed last 75 words of 686 total…a God that does not expect virgins or animals to be sacrificed in His name; but, a God that is pleased by followers that love not only God, but each other also. These seem like simple, logical rules to live by. MLA Kingsbury, Jack Dean. \"The Place, Structure, and Meaning of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew\'s Gospel.\" Interpretation 41 (1987): 131-143. Matera, Frank J. \" The Plot of Matthew\'s Gospel.\" Catholic Biblical Quarterly 49 (1987): 233-253.