|
|
Understanding the Kingdom and the Church One area that has given me problems is understanding the difference or differences between the Kingdom and the church. At times the two terms seem to be used interchangeably, and then at other times they are different. Perhaps in response to Premillennialism and its argument that the church was a substitute for the kingdom, some brethren have said they are one and the same. But are they the same? We want to understand why the Bible speaks of the Kingdom established by Christ and the church. Numerous Old Testament passages spoke of the Messiah coming and establishing His rule and authority. Jacob in blessing Judah said, "The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and to Him shall be the obedience of the people" (Genesis 49:10). A scepter is a staff or branch. Jesus is referred to as the Branch in Zechariah 6:12. Strong’s Greek/Hebrew dictionary says Shiloh is our word Messiah. Homer Hailey in his book, Hailey’s Comments, Vol. 1, writes, "The word ‘Shiloh’ has caused some difficulty for the scholars, but I believe the essential meaning of it is clear, regardless of whether it means ‘prince of peace’ as some think, or ‘one who brings peace’ in the opinion of others. The idea of a kingdom of peace is developed over and over through the prophets as they write of one who would sit on David’s throne and be a ruler of peace" (page 20). Isaiah 9:6, in pointing toward the kingdom of Christ, says the government will be upon His shoulder; and one of the terms to describe Him is "prince of peace."Later, God made a covenant with David. "When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever" (2 Samuel 7:12-13). Jesus is the seed of David spoken of in the covenant with David.The second Psalm speaks of the rulers plotting against Jesus. The Jewish rulers decided that Christ must die for the good of the nation. Caiaphas plotted to have Jesus killed for the sake of the Jewish nation (Matthew 26.3; John 11.49-50). They did all they could to stop the establishment of the Kingdom, but they failed. Psalm 2:4 points out the futility of their plans: verse 6 reads, "Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion;" and verse 9 "You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel." Despite the efforts of Jesus’ enemies, He overcame death and established His Kingdom. Probably no New Testament passage is plainer than Mark 9.1, "Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power." Throughout the Old Testament, the prophets pointed toward the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of His kingdom. Before Jesus’ ascension into heaven, the disciples were inquiring about when the kingdom would be established (Acts 1:6). This is important, for the Kingdom had not been established by the time of Acts 1. After the Day of Pentecost, we read of the Kingdom in the present tense. Colossians 1:13 reads, "He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed (transferred, NASV) us into the kingdom of the Son of His love." One can only be in the kingdom if the kingdom has been established. Therefore the Kingdom exist now. What is the kingdom referring to? The rule and authority of Jesus. Before His ascension, Jesus said all rule and authority had been given to Him (Matthew 28:18ff). We have the Law of life (Romans 8:2). This law was established by the death of Jesus for it took the Law of Moses out of the way (Colossians 2:14, Ephesians 2:15). We are to submit to the authority of the Messiah. He is our ruler and King (Acts 2:36). What is the church, and is it different from the Kingdom? The term church is not found in the Old Testament. However, one must remember that it simply means those called out. In Acts 7:38, the children of Israel in the wilderness are referred to as the church in the wilderness in the King James Bible. Most translations use the word assembly or congregation. The point being that the word church by itself means little. It is important when used in reference to those that are called out of the world, into the body of Christ. Jesus promised to build His church (Matthew 16:18). During His life upon earth, the Son of God spoke of the church in the future tense. "I will build My church," not, "I have built or I have already built My church." On the Day of Pentecost, 3,000 people obeyed the gospel and were added to the church (Acts 2.47). One cannot be added to that which does not exist. The church was established in Acts 2. Other terms used to describe the church are: the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27); the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5); and the church of the firstborn (Hebrews 12:23). Those inside the church are those who have had their sins washed away by the blood of Christ (Acts 22:16). To the elders of Ephesus Paul said, "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood" (Acts 20.28). When one obeys the Gospel of Christ and is baptized for the remission or forgiveness of sins (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38), that one is added to the body of Christ (Galatians 3:27). Both the Kingdom and the church are dependent upon Christ. He is the ruler of the Kingdom and He is the head of His church. Neither one would have been established without Jesus. Both were established by His death on the cross and resurrection from the grave. Jesus today is at the right hand of God, a position of power and authority (Acts 2:33, Hebrews 10:12). "For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem" (Isaiah 2.3b). By His death and resurrection, Jesus established His church. He is the foundation of the church (1 Corinthians 3:11); the Savior of the body (Ephesians 5:23). What is the difference? The Kingdom refers to the rule and authority of Jesus; whereas the church refers to the people who have obeyed and submitted to the rule and authority of Christ. Christ has all authority. Man may not recognize or submit to it, but we are all under His law. Only those obedient to Christ are added to His body. They are the saved. In our preaching and efforts to convert our neighbors, we must be able to make these two points. Jesus is our King today, and we are under His law. It does not matter whether you have obeyed the Gospel or not, you are going to be judged by His word (John 12:48). In order to be saved, we must have our sins washed away by His blood. When we are baptized into Christ, we are added to His body (Romans 6:3-4). This may be a fine distinction, but it must be made to appreciate who Christ is and what we have in Him. —Dennis Tucker |