STUDIES IN THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES- PART 3

                                          4/28/04

 

Chap.1, verse 3 “speaking of things pertaining to the kingdom

Of God”- in both his gospel as well as ACTS, Luke uses the phrase ‘kingdom of God’ extensively.  In reviewing this usage, we see some

items that may be understood.

 

The kingdom of God is primarily unseen and spiritual:

  Key passages are 17:20-21 and 19:11-12 which seem to express

a expectation by NT people that a visible rule (kingdom) of God should be forthcoming and present if Jesus was the Messiah.

  Supporting the view that the k.of God is spiritual and unseen are

Matt. 21:43 –taken from Israel who refused it and given to another

Nation (Gentiles?)     Lk.9:27 not taste of death …k.of God.

Lk. 11:20, Lk.12:31-32, Lk. 13:18-21, 16:16, 18:17, 24 

John 3:3, 5 Kingdom of God cannot be “seen” without new birth.

Romans 14:17- k.of God is in right., peace & joy in H.Spirit.

 

However, k. of God can also be included in  a period when Christ rules Israel in a visible, physical kingdom:  Lk.28-29, 14:15, 18:29-30, 21:31,22:18.

  The people of Israel were looking for a “kingdom” where the Messiah would rule from David’s throne, with the nation in the land and where righteousness would be exalted.  During the millennium and new heaven and new earth, the kingdom of God will be both spiritual and physical (literal) with King Jesus ruling Israel in the land.

   Dwight Pentecost (THINGS TO COME-pg.433-434) seems to suggest that the spiritual kingdom (of God) should be called the eternal kingdom, as it encompasses all ages and the literal, physical rule of God (k.of heaven) thru Israel on earth should be called the theocratic kingdom.

 

   < - - - - - - -the kingdom of God—spiritual, unseen - - - - ->

_____________________________________________

Old Testament          CALVARY     New Test.      2^nd             NEW HEAVEN

                                                                    Advent      NEW EARTH

< - -KING.OF HEAVEN]   Postponing of           [KING.OF HEAVEN >                               

                          of king.of heaven (theocratic)

 

The eternal kingdom and the theocratic kingdom will function simultaneously when Christ is present on earth (during His ministry of the first cent. and during His millennial/eternal rule).

 

Page 2

 

1. Presently in the church age, we are in the kingdom of God which

  is invisible, spiritual and awaits the future kingdom of heaven.

2. When Christ was preaching, he and the apostles proclaimed both

  the k.of God and k. of heaven.  During ACTS, this was done until

  about chapter 7 with the stoning of Stephen.  Up to there, the offer   

  of the kingdom to Israel (theocratic) was still available.

3. Therefore, ACTS is a transition book:

  >from ministry to Israel to ministry to all the world

  > from life under the Mosaic Law to life under grace

  > from Jewish culture/life to the church, which is His body

4.  For this reason, ACTS is difficult and requires careful discernment.        

  There are times when Israel is addressed, times when the church is  

  addressed and times where this may overlap.  Because Israel is still

  under probation in chapter one thru seven, there are unique

  problems!

5.  Confusion over ‘the kingdom’ is rampant and since the ‘kingdom’

  has both spiritual and material properties this adds to the confusion!

  Many teachers combine Israel and the church into one entity and err!

  They think Israel has been replaced by the church and the physical,

  and material promises for Israel (in the land) are to be spiritualized

  and applied devotionally to the NT church.   

6.  After Romans 9-11 is written it is more clearly understood that

  Israel will be converted and enjoy both spiritual and physical

  blessings in the millennium, separate from the church of the NT.