"For the Church today, as for the early Church, the Gospel of Matthew provides an indispensable tool in the Church's threefold task of defensing its beliefs against attacks, of instructing converts in the ethical implications of their newly-accepted religion, and of helping its own members to live a disciplined life of fellowship based on the record of the deeds and words of their Lord and Master. In short, the Gospel of Matthew serves as an apology, a handbook of instruction, and a lectionary for use in Christian worship." --From the publisher