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| Amphitheatre in Ephesus |
The word, kingdom,in the NT means mainly βασιλεία GRK basileia Thayer Definition:
1) royal power, kingship, dominion, rule 1a) not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority to rule over a kingdom 1b) of the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah.
1c) of the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah’s kingdom
It occurs 158 times in the NT and is a very significant theme in the preaching of the Apostles.
Act 19:8 And he entered into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, debating and persuading the things concerning of the kingdom of God.
Act 19:9 But when some became hardened and disbelieving, speaking evil against the Way before the multitude, he withdrew from them and separated the disciples, each day debating in the school of a certain Tyrannus.
Act 19:10 Now this took place for two years, so that all who were dwelling in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. EMTV
Paul spoke boldly for three months in the Synagogue
He usually went to the synagogues and presented the Gospel to the Jews first. After they had rejected the message of the Kingdom of God he went with the believers and each day debated and taught the Word of God in a nearly hall. Compare Acts 18:4
The Kingdom of God in Acts Now look at these texts:
Act 1:3 to whom He (Jesus) also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.
Notes: Jesus instructed his chosen Apostles for forty days after his resurrection speaking concerning the Kingdom of God. He was trying to explain to his disciples the true meaning of the Kingdom,that it was not an earthly kingdom at this time but a spiritual kingdom where God reigns in the hearts of men. He had told them the Parables in Matthew 13 to explain the Kingdom of God.
Act 1:4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to withdraw from Jerusalem, but to await for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me;
Act 1:5 for John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."
Act 1:6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?"
Act 1:7 And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has placed in His own authority.
Act 1:6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?"
Act 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Notes : They thought that he was going to establish His Kingdom and chase out the Romans.
They asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?"
“The form of the verb apokathistanō is late (also apokathistaō) omega form for the old and common apokathistēmi, double compound, to restore to its former state. As a matter of fact the Messianic kingdom for which they are asking is a political kingdom that would throw off the hated Roman yoke. It is a futuristic present and they are uneasy that Jesus may yet fail to fulfil their hopes. Surely here is proof that the eleven apostles needed the promise of the Father before they began to spread the message of the Risen Christ. They still yearn for a political kingdom for Israel even after faith and hope have come back. They need the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit (John 14-16) and the power of the Holy Spirit (Act_1:4.).”RWP
Philip preached the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ
Act 8:12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
But when they believed Philip - So it is evident that Philip’s word came with greater power than that of Simon; and that his miracles stood the test in such a way as the feats of Simon could not.
Philip : preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God; concerning the kingdom of the Messiah, the Gospel dispensation, the doctrines and ordinances of the Gospel; and concerning the kingdom of grace, which is spiritual and internal, and which lies not in external things, as meat and drink, but in righteousness, peace, and joy; and concerning the kingdom of glory, the meetness for it, which lies in regenerating grace, and the right unto it, which is the righteousness of Christ:
and the name of Jesus Christ; concerning the person of Christ, as the Son of God: and the offices of Christ, as prophet, priest, and King; and the virtue of his blood, righteousness, and sacrifice, for pardon, justification, and atonement: the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions read this clause, "in the name of Jesus Christ": and connect it with the following words,
they were baptized, both men and women: that is, when, they heard Philip preach the Gospel, and believed in Christ, the sum and substance of it, and made a profession of faith, they were of each sex, both men and women, baptized by immersion, in the name of Jesus Christ. J.Gill
Applications.
Should there be more Preaching about the Sovereign Reign of God in our Assemblies.
When did you last hear a message on the kingdom of God?
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