The Kingdom of Christ
(by  Bob Pulliam) 

The Millenarian is still watching for the kingdom. What were the people of the New Testament watching for? That is the perfect question for this lesson.

Is the Church the Kingdom?...

We have already in this study asserted that the church and the kingdom are one and the same. Perhaps the most definitive passage on this is Mt 16:18f:

"And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

Something was to be built... The church. Once something is built, what does the builder do?... He hands the keys to those who will open the door. Peter opened that door as Jesus had promised (Acts 2). But note that Peter was to receive the keys of the kingdom, rather than the keys of the church. Jesus built the church, and handed it’s keys off describing them as the keys of the kingdom. The church is the kingdom.

Another clear indication that the church is the kingdom is the fact that Jesus told the people in the first century that the kingdom would come in their days.

"Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom." (Mt 16:28)

"And He said to them, ‘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.’" (Mk 9:1)

If the kingdom came in their days, where was it?... It was the church.

Did Jesus Intend to Establish an Earthly Kingdom?...

Several statements are found in the New Testament to indicate that a physical kingdom was never intended by God. For example:

"Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone." (Jn 6:15) If He wanted an earthly kingdom why discourage it?

"Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.’" (Jn 18:36)

The word "kingdom" is used in more than one sense in the Bible, but in these it is clear that the kingdom was present in the first century; but the church was the only visible aspect of it, so the church is the kingdom.

"For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power." (1Cor 4:20)

"and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me." (Col 4:11)

"He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love," (Col 1:13)

"I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ." (Rev 1:9) 

Conclusion...

The kingdom of God came with power in Acts chapter two. Jesus had received the throne of David, and Peter proclaimed Him king (Acts 2:30-36). The gospel of the kingdom began to be proclaimed throughout the world (compare Mt 24:14; Col 1:6). The Christians of the first century were citizens of that kingdom, looking forward to the great blessings that would arise from their citizenship.