Continuing our interviews with The Apostles, we have contacted Matthew, also called Levi.

1.  Greetings, old friend!  You are often portrayed in religious writings as the unholy Apostle, because you were a tax collector, and, a sinner, unlike the others.  Do you feel this is a just representation of you?

A.  Ah, Demetrius!  My salutations and my gratitude, that you ask this question, because it is one I have often wanted to answer.  And the answer is no, I find this portrayal of myself quite unjust and unfair.  TRUE, I was a tax collector, and also true, that many tax collectors were unfair and unjust.  But I was not one of these.  I took only what was required of me, and no more.  Actually, as I was overseer of the other tax collectors in my district, I often corrected injustices done by others.
It is very wrong to lump all people in a profession together, and call them evil.  Your OWN tax collectors are despised today, but most are good God fearing people, only doing their duty, as I did in my day.

2.  Can you explain to us why you had two names?

A.  A simple matter, really!  The Romans did not like Hebrew names, because most of them had a religious significance.  They required that all civil servants use a Romanized name.  So I used the name of Matthew in the performance of my duties, and the name of Levi among my countrymen.  This was a common practice.  Others used two names because they considered it unholy to speak their religious name to a non Jew.  It was merely a matter of custom.

3.  There is much talk today in the homosexual community that Christ would not condemn them, but would actually condemn those who speak against them.  How would you answer these people?

A.  I would tell them they are in error.  The Lord NEVER ONCE, in all the time that I knew Him, EVER taught the acceptance of sin.  When a person repented and cast off their sin, and came to Him seeking forgiveness, He would forgive them, in His Father's Name and send them forth, telling them to sin no more.  NEVER, EVER did He teach any man that it was proper to continue an immoral behavior.  Those who teach such ideals are NOT of The Lord, are not of God, but are hypocrites!
A man cannot ask forgiveness and continue to sin. The request for forgiveness is meaningless.  God forgives once, not over and over again.  Wise men understand this principle, ignorant men do not!

4.  Do you think your Gospel has been well translated?

A.  Quite fairly, quite fairly.  Of course there are a FEW errors, but for men working only from old manuscripts and without Divine Inspiration, I think the translations have been quite good!

5.  Well, we thank you, Matthew.  We hope our readers find your comments interesting.  I know I do!  I'm sure you will return if there are any other questions directed to you.

A.  Of course, Demetrius!  I have long missed your company and the challenge of your Peoples' Ways.  I find no difficulty sharing my thoughts with them.  May God bless and keep you.