The Church and The Kingdom

Brian Aiken

The Church and The Kingdom

Premillenialism– “It is held that the OT prophets predicted the re-

establishment of David’s kingdom and that Christ himself intended to bring this about…because the Jews refused his person and work he postponed…his kingdom…meanwhile…the Lord gathered together ‘the church’ as a kind of interim measure” (Baker’s Dictionary of Theology; pg. 352).

What’s in a Name?

–Kingdom {gk basileia} A realm, region, territory, or community ruled by a king.–Church {gk ekklesia} The called out.– These are not synonymous but are used

interchangeably.• Ex. Husband, father, son, brother, employee,

and on and on.• Ex. Elder, bishop, pastor, and overseer.

The Terms Kingdom and Church

• Does Kingdom always refer to the Church?– Ex. 1 Kingdom of Men (Dan. 4:25)– Ex. 2 Kingdom of Israel (1 Kg. 11:11)– Ex. 3 Kingdom in Reference to Heaven (2 Pet.

1:10-11)– Ex. 4 Kingdom Over All (Ps. 103:19)

The Terms Kingdom and Church

• Does ‘church’ always refer to “the Church”?– Ex. 1 (Acts 7:38) “church in the wilderness”– Ex. 2 (Acts 19:32,39,41) “unlawful assembly

(ekklesia)” in Ephesus

The New Testament Church is at times referred to as “the kingdom”.– It consists of an assembly of the called out.– In Eph. 2:19, those who are called out are referred

to as:

•Citizens (as of a kingdom)• Saints (as being separated)

The Signs and Seasons of Things

• We will now take a look at when these two things: the Kingdom and the Church came into existence. If they are the same then we should find that they both came at the same time.

The Kingdom

• Daniel’s Interpretation (Dan. 2):– Head of Gold: Babylon– Chest/arms of Silver: Medo-Persia– Belly/thighs of Bronze: Greece– Legs of Iron, Feet Iron/Clay: Rome

– Then comes the Everlasting Kingdom

The Days of Rome

• Roman Empire headed by Caesar Augustus• Jesus Born• John the Baptist prepares the way for Christ– “repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”

(Matt. 4:17)• The twelve preach “the kingdom of heaven is

at hand” (Matt. 10:7)• The seventy preach “the kingdom of God has

come near to you” (Lk. 10:9)

Jesus on the Kingdom

• Before His transfiguration he informed his disciples that “there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power” (Mk. 9:1).

• What is a reasonable timeframe for the coming of the kingdom?

Before Pentecost

• Acts 1:3 Jesus preached things “pertaining to the kingdom”.

• He commanded his disciples to “wait in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high” (Lk. 24:49)…”not many days from now” (Acts 1:5).

• This is exactly what happened in Acts 2! cf. 11:16

After Pentecost

• The kingdom is referred to as being in existence (Col. 1:13; Heb. 12:28).

• Remember Peter preached Jesus on David’s throne

• Paul in 1 Cor. 15:24-28, teaches that Christ will give His kingdom over to the Father after the resurrection of the dead.

The Church

• Matthew 16:18 “…I will build My church”– Not yet in existence– Not in existence before Christ’s ministry– Not established by John the Baptist (dead)– V. 21 reveals that Christ must die and be raised

first.

The Church

• Heb. 9:15-17 Death of the testator• Rom. 10:14-15– Men are saved through faith by hearing “the

gospel of peace”.– Men are called out of sin and into Christ through

the gospel. (Rom. 6)– The gospel is the new covenant and is not in effect

until the death of the testator comes first.

Isaiah on the Church

• 2:2,3– What: House of God (cf. 1 Tim. 3:15)– Who: All nations shall come (cf. Matt. 28:19; Mk.

16:15).– When: In the “last days”. Peter goes to Joel to

show that these are the “last days” (Acts 2:17).– Where: Jerusalem– Acts 2:47 men of all nations were “added to the

church…”!

The Church and The Kingdom

• Both came into existence in Acts 2 on the day of Pentecost.

• Before that day, both were anticipated as coming.

• After that day, both were said to be in existence.

• They clearly refer to the same entity and organization!

Christ the Chief Cornerstone

• But, of how many organizations?• Matt. 21:42-43 Christ the cornerstone of the

kingdom.• Eph. 2:12-22 Christ the cornerstone of the

household of God. Again 1 Tim. 3:15• 1 Pet. 2:1-10 Christ is the cornerstone of “a

spiritual house…a holy nation…who once were not a people but are now a people.”

• There is One Chief Cornerstone• There is One Building• Both are presently in existence• Both have the same head, Christ• Both have the same subjects, stones, and citizens; Christians.• Both have the same law.• Both have the same covenant.• Both have the same terms for entrance.• Both look to the future hopes and assurances.• Both refer to the same body of believers.

Are you in that body?

• Peter before the Jewish rulers proclaimed that “Jesus of Nazareth…this is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:10-12).

• 1 Cor. 12:13; Col. 1:13,14