Topical Bible: Church: Kingdom of God

◄ Church: Kingdom of God ►

Jump to: Nave's • Greek • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of the "Kingdom of God" is central to Christian theology and is intricately linked with the mission and identity of the Church. The Kingdom of God refers to the reign and rule of God over all creation, a theme that is prevalent throughout the Bible, from the Old Testament prophecies to the teachings of Jesus Christ in the New Testament.

Old Testament Foundations

The Kingdom of God is foreshadowed in the Old Testament, where God's sovereign rule is evident in His covenant relationship with Israel. The Israelites were chosen to be a "kingdom of priests and a holy nation" (Exodus 19:6), signifying their role in manifesting God's rule on earth. The prophetic literature, particularly in books like Isaiah and Daniel, anticipates a future, more complete realization of God's kingdom. Daniel 2:44 declares, "In the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed."

New Testament Revelation

In the New Testament, the Kingdom of God is a central theme of Jesus' ministry. Jesus begins His public ministry proclaiming, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel" (Mark 1:15). The Kingdom is both a present reality and a future hope. It is inaugurated through Christ's life, death, and resurrection, yet it awaits its full consummation at His return.

The parables of Jesus often illustrate the nature of the Kingdom. For instance, the Parable of the Mustard Seed (Mark 4:30-32) describes the Kingdom as starting small but growing into something grand. The Kingdom is also characterized by righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17).

The Church and the Kingdom

The Church is the community of believers who live under the lordship of Christ and are called to advance the Kingdom of God on earth. The Church is not the Kingdom itself but is the primary instrument through which God's Kingdom is manifested in the world. Jesus entrusted the Church with the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), a mandate to make disciples of all nations, thereby expanding the reach of the Kingdom.

The relationship between the Church and the Kingdom is also evident in the Lord's Prayer, where believers are taught to pray, "Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). This prayer reflects the Church's mission to align earthly realities with the divine will.

Eschatological Fulfillment

The Kingdom of God will reach its ultimate fulfillment at the end of the age when Christ returns in glory. Revelation 11:15 proclaims, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever." This eschatological vision assures believers of the final victory of God's Kingdom over all opposing powers.

In summary, the Kingdom of God is a dynamic and multifaceted concept that encompasses God's sovereign rule, the redemptive work of Christ, and the mission of the Church. It is both a present reality and a future hope, calling believers to live in anticipation of its full realization.

Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 6:33
But seek you first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.
Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 12:28
But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come to you.
Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 19:24
And again I say to you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 21:31
Whether of them two did the will of his father? They say to him, The first. Jesus said to them, Truly I say to you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
Nave's Topical Index

Greek

1577. ekklesia -- an assembly, a (religious) congregation
... of believers whom God calls from the world and His eternal kingdom. [The word ""
comes from the Greek word , "belonging to the Lord" (). 1577 ("church") is the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1577.htm - 8k

Library

When the Holy Church of Christ, the Kingdom of God came among Men. ...
... Address 136: When the holy church of Christ, the kingdom of God came among
men? When the holy church of Christ, the kingdom of ...
/.../address 136 0 0 when the holy.htm

Conclusion.
... The Kingdom of God is come already, and men are ... still heathen may be brought into
His Kingdom; and that ... And inasmuch as He "loved the Church and gave Himself ...
/.../burbidge/the kingdom of heaven what is it/chapter xi conclusion.htm

The Christian Church
... His gospel, and who hold His sacraments, the seals of eternal life, in honour."
Another definition is: "The church is a holy kingdom established by God on earth ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study ix the christian church.htm

A Sad and Singular Story.
... from that town, and at the end of a week went into another church and he heard the
minister give out the same text, "Seek first the kingdom of God." He felt ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/a sad and singular story.htm

On the Power of the Church in Enacting Laws
... and primary or principal laws, and are as the fundamental laws of the kingdom of
God itself. ... III.1. The church neither has a right, nor is she bound by any ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation lvi on the power.htm

"But Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness," &C.
... The sinner also comes short of the glory of God, Romans 3 ... is none born with a title
to the kingdom of heaven ... Neither to be a member of the visible church nor a ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xv but seek ye.htm

The Doctrine of the Church i. Definition; Distinctions.
... the world. The Church may be looked upon as part of the Kingdom of God,
just as Illinois is part of the United States. The Kingdom ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of the church.htm

On the Power of the Church in Administering Justice, or on ...
... or discipline, or be compelled to the performance of their duty, so, in the church,
which is the house, the city and the kingdom of God, discipline of the same ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation lvii on the power.htm

The Kingdom of God: Its Values
... 1. What value would the preaching of the Kingdom of God have in ... 3. How would the
possession of the Kingdom faith equip the Church for leadership in an ...
/.../rauschenbusch/the social principles of jesus/chapter iv the kingdom of.htm

The Kingdom of God.
... THE KINGDOM OF GOD. 8,6,8,6,8,8,6 Salb' uns mit deiner Liebe. ... And Thou within us
live. Prepare the Church, O Lord, Thy Bride,. With glory and with strength,. ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/the kingdom of god.htm