The Encourager
“Establishment of the Kingdom/ Church - by Jeff Curtis”
Establishment of the Kingdom / Church
By Jeff Curtis
The kingdom / church existed in purpose. Throughout eternity, it existed in the plans and purposes of God (Ephesians 3:10-11).
It existed in promise. Throughout the Old Testament, the kingdom/ church existed in prophecy and promise. Isaiah said that in the last says the Lord’s house would be established and the Word of the Lord would go forth from Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:2-3); Paul identifies the Lord’s house as the church in 1Timothy 3:15. Daniel prophesied that God’s kingdom would be established in the days of the Roman empire (Daniel 2:44).
It existed in preparation. Christ began His personal ministry during the days of the Roman empire. During His personal ministry, the kingdom/ church existed in preparation. Both Jesus and John the Baptist preached that the kingdom was “at hand” or almost there. (Matthew 4:17; 3:1-2). Jesus stressed that His kingdom was a spiritual institution (John 18:36) and used the terms “kingdom” and “church” interchangeably (Matthew 16:18-19).
Jesus said that His kingdom would come “with power” (Mark 9:1). After His resurrection, He told the disciples that the power would come when the Holy Spirit came and that they would be His witnesses beginning at Jerusalem (v.8). They were to wait in Jerusalem until that power came. At that time repentance for the remission of sins would be preached in His name “beginning from Jerusalem (Luke 24:45-49).
It existed, and continues to exist in power. The Holy Spirit came on the first Day of Pentecost after the death, burial and resurrection of Christ (Acts 2:1-4). The power came; and so, the kingdom/ church was established.
As Isaiah and Jesus had foretold, the preaching of the gospel began at Jerusalem (Acts 2:29-38). People who believed, repented, and were baptized were added to the kingdom / church (Acts 2:41,47; KJV). From that point, the kingdom/ church was spoken of as being in existence (Acts 5:11; 8:1,3; Colossians 1:13; Hebrews 12:28; Revelation 1:6).
Christ is now reigning in heaven over His kingdom, and He will continue to reign until He returns at the end of time (1Corinthians 15:24-27) to take His faithful followers with Him to heaven (John 14:1-3).
Not Ashamed of the Power of the Gospel
by Leland R. Ping
One of the most quoted and powerful verses of Paul’s letter to the saints in Rome is found in Romans 1:16 when the inspired apostle wrote the following: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”
Packed into this short passage are three valuable lessons that apply to us today.
First, there are ZERO reasons to be ashamed of the gospel. But, because we’re humans, we are sometimes prone to “shying” away from it and perhaps wanting to substitute its simple message for a man-made set of ideas. The gospel message of salvation for all men is simple, straightforward, and easy to grasp. But, we as men sometimes complicate its simplicity.
Second, the power of the gospel is the gospel itself. Not you – not me. You may be good at presenting its contents and I may be talented in explaining it all. But the credit belongs to the Lord and His good news. That’s where the power lies – always has and always will be.
Finally, the gospel’s power does not discriminate. We might show partiality as humans and, we sometimes do. But not the good news of the Lord and Savior. It is powerful enough to see through race, gender, cultural differences, and the like. We must remember this fact when we think about teaching someone or inviting them to study or worship. Let’s be aware of the gospel and its great power to save all – and that means ALL – mankind.
