No. Matthew chapter 1 does not mark the beginning of Christianity; it presents Jesus Christ as the promised King to Israel in continuity with the Abrahamic covenant.
The New Testament opens with 'The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham' (Matthew 1:1). Les Feldick teaches that Matthew presents Christ as King, so the genealogy only goes back to Abraham, where the royal promise began. The opening of the New Testament reveals the King's appearance, not the start of a new religion, and the gospel itself was promised beforehand in the Old Testament.
Matthew 1:1 — This is the first verse of the New Testament and directly connects Jesus to David and Abraham, showing His royal lineage and the covenantal context of His coming.
The New Testament begins with these words: 'The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham' (Matthew 1:1). In Luke's gospel, the angel tells Mary, 'And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.' The apostle Paul speaks of the gospel of God 'which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures' (Romans 1:1-2). These passages demonstrate that the coming of Christ is rooted in promises made before His birth, not in a brand-new beginning.
Les Feldick teaches that Matthew 1:1 deliberately goes back only to Abraham, not Adam, because Matthew presents Jesus as the King of Israel. The Abrahamic covenant is where the kingship promise began, and Jesus appears as the King of Israel in the opening of the New Testament. Les stresses that the redemption role of Christ is revealed later; for now, the King has made His appearance. He also points out that the gospel was already promised in the Old Testament, so the New Testament opening is not the start of Christianity but a continuation of God's program with His chosen people.
Les teaches that Matthew's opening verse connects Jesus to David and Abraham because the promise of the King was made to Abraham. The genealogy stops there and does not go back to Adam, unlike Luke's genealogy which goes all the way to Adam. Matthew presents Christ as the King, so the covenant with Abraham is the starting point for His royal line.
According to Les, we are only to understand so far that the King has made His appearance. Jesus is presented as the King of Israel. The fact that He is the Redeemer is revealed later. Christ's earthly ministry, beginning in Matthew 4, is to prove to the nation of Israel who He is.
Paul writes that the gospel of God 'Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures' (Romans 1:2). Les points out that all the aspects of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection were back there in the Old Testament. Thus, the New Testament opening is not starting something brand new; it is the continuation of God's prophetic program with Israel.
Why Jesus Came to Israel First — Luke 1 Explained
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Matthew Presents Christ as King
Les explains that Matthew's genealogy goes back only to Abraham because the prophetic program concerning the King and the Kingdom was given to Israel within a 490-year time frame.
Christ's Ministry Proves Who He Is
Les notes that in Matthew 4, Christ is about to begin His earthly ministry to prove to the nation of Israel who He was.
Matthew 1:1 Stops at Abraham
Les emphasizes that Matthew 1:1 says 'the Son of David, the Son of Abraham' and stops there, because Matthew depicts Christ as the King.
The Abrahamic Covenant Begins the Kingship Idea
Les points out that the opening of Matthew drives readers back to Genesis 12 and the Abrahamic covenant, where the royal promise began.
The Gospel Was Promised in the Old Testament
Les reminds that Paul says the gospel was promised beforehand in the Holy Scriptures, so all aspects of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection were already in the Old Testament.
The King Appears Before the Redeemer
Les stresses that in the opening part of the New Testament, Jesus is presented as the King of Israel; the revelation that He is the Redeemer comes later.
Genealogy Limited to Abraham Because of the Promise
Les explains that the genealogy stops at Abraham because Christ's becoming King is based on the promise made to Abraham, not anyone before him.
Matthew 1:1: The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
This verse opens the New Testament and directly connects Jesus to Israel's royal promise.
Luke 1:31: And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
The angel's announcement to Mary shows Christ's coming in the context of Israel's hope.
Romans 1:1-2: Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
Paul confirms that the gospel was promised in the Old Testament, showing continuity rather than a new start.
No. Matthew 1:1 identifies Jesus as the Son of David and the Son of Abraham, tying His coming to Old Testament promises. Les Feldick teaches that this opening presents Jesus as Israel's King, not as the founder of a new religion.
According to Les, Jesus first comes as the King of Israel. The New Testament opening reveals the King's appearance; later revelation shows that He is also the Redeemer.
Yes. Paul says the gospel of God was promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures (Romans 1:1-2). Les points out that all aspects of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection were already in the Old Testament.
Watch the Teaching: Why Jesus Came to Israel First — Luke 1 Explained