The New Testament Church 5 The Church IS

The New Testament Church (5) The Church IS The Kingdom

The Church IS The Kingdom Why is this important? • Misunderstandings about the relationship between the church and kingdom. Some see the church as an afterthought. • Such questions the omnipotence of God • Premillenialism is founded upon a belief the kingdom is materialistic

Why different terms? • 2 different terms describe different aspects of being part of God’s saved • Understand the kingdom is spiritual (cf. John 18: 36 -37, Luke 17: 21, Romans 14: 17) • Jesus used many different terms to help explain a spiritual kingdom – i. e. parables

Why different terms? • Kingdom – demonstrates how we are citizens of His kingdom and subject to our King and His laws • Church – we are the assembly of God’s people, called out of the world and called together in Him

Beginnings • Both – are part of God’s eternal plan • The kingdom – Dan. 2: 44, Joel 2: 28 -32 • The church – Ephesians 3: 20 -21 Kingdom spoken Church spoken of of by Jesus as coming– Matthew 16: 28, Matthew 16: 18 Mark 9: 1 19, 18: 15 -18

Beginnings • Both – after Acts 2 in existence The kingdom The church Acts 8: 12, 19: 8, Acts 2: 47, 5: 11, 28: 23; 20: 28, the Romans A Christian enters Colossians 1: 13 16: 16, Ephesians church and kingdom at the 2 Thess. 1: 5 1: 22 -23 same time Hebrews 12: 28

Qualities of the kingdom/church • Christ is the Head The kingdom The church He is Lord, Christ is head of reigning the church, His body John Ephesians 1: 2218: 36 -37 cf. Acts 17: 7 23 Colossians 1: 18

Qualities of the kingdom/church • Our invitation The kingdom The church Called into it We are called into one body 1 Thess. 2: 12 Colossians 3: 15 (1: 18)

Qualities of the kingdom/church • What was preached? The kingdom The church The gospel of The gospel which the Kingdom I preached Matthew 24: 14 1 Corinthians (4: 23) 15: 1 -4 Acts 8: 12 2 Corinthians 8: 18 Ephesians 3: 6

Qualities of the kingdom/church • Terms of admission? The church The kingdom Born again, of Baptized into His body water & Spirit 1 Corinthians John 3: 3, 5 12: 12 -13 Acts 8: 12 cf. Acts both men and 2: 38, 47 women were baptized, added to baptized the church

Qualities of the kingdom/church • Who is in it? The kingdom The church Fellow citizens Household of God Ephesians 2: 19 -20 20, Ephesians 5: 23 Colossians 1: 13 He is Savior of the delivered from body darkness (sin) i. e. the Saved!

Qualities of the kingdom/church • How long will it endure? The church The kingdom The gates of Hades Cannot be shall not prevail shaken against it Hebrews 12: 28, Matthew 16: 18 Cf. Daniel 2: 44 Ephesians 3: 21 forever! To Him be glory in the church…forever and ever

Qualities of the kingdom/church • Consider the Lord’s Supper The church The kingdom Jesus would not Communion with Christ drink until the 1 Corinthians kingdom 10: 16, Matthew 26: 29 11: 18 -20 come together as the church…Lord’s Supper

IF you are in the kingdom, you are in the church! Are you?