1. The Kingdom - The Church
Matthew 16:18, 19

2. The Kingdom - The Church
Introduction
Many religionist contend the Kingdom and the Church are not one and the same:
The United Church of God says…
“The Bible never uses the term kingdom to apply directly to the Church…
Some think the Church is the Kingdom of God. Although there is a connection between the two, they are not identical. Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church (Ephesians:1:22), which is the body of believers called by God to proclaim the coming Kingdom….The Bible, however, never uses the term “kingdom” to apply directly to the Church. Instead, it refers to God’s prophesied world-ruling government.”
The Bible teaches that the Kingdom & Church are one and the same
The Kingdom - The Church

3. The Kingdom - The Church
Matthew 16:18, 19
“18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
The Kingdom - The Church

4. Described in Different Terms
The Church is called…
The “body” - Ephesians 1:22, 23
The “house of God” - 1 Timothy 3:15
The “household of God” - Ephesians 2:19
A “building” - Ephesians 2:21
An “holy temple” - Ephesians 2:21; 1 Corinthians 3:17
The “kingdom” - Matthew 16:18
The Kingdom - The Church

5. Essential Elements of a Kingdom
There must be…
A King - the source of authority
Christ - Matthew 28:18; 1 Timothy 6:13-16; John 18:35-37
Subjects (citizens) - those willingly yielding to the king’s laws
Christians - Those willing to obey Him - Hebrews 5:8, 9
Philippians 3:20 - NJKV
Laws - Wills and decrees issued by the King
The N.T. - the Gospel - Written in the hearts of Christians - Galatians 6:2
A Territory (His Church or Kingdom) - Realm of rule
Hearts and Minds of Disciples of Christ on earth - Romans 8:1-5
Christ Now Reigns over His Kingdom with All Authority!
The Kingdom - The Church

6. “Kingdom of God” Applications
This term applied in different ways!
Must consider context of the passage
Not always referring to the same kingdom
Examples of different applications…
Physical kingdom - natural laws governing all animal & vegetable life
Acts 17:24-29; Isaiah 42:5; John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:14-19
Ethical or moral kingdom - ordained governments in the world
Psalms 103:19; Daniel 4:25, 32, 34-36; Psalms 22:28; 93:2; Romans 13:1
The kingdom of fleshly Israel
2 Samuel 5:12; 1 Kings 9:3-7; 11:11
The eternal kingdom - Heaven
Acts 14:22; 2 Timothy 4:18; 2 Peter 1:11
The kingdom of Christ - the Church
Mark 9:1; Matthew 6:10
The Kingdom - The Church

7. The Kingdom - The Church
Established in the last days
Isaiah 2:2-3
Everlasting & not destroyed
Daniel 7:14
Established in the days of kings
Daniel 2:44
Was near to be - “at hand”
Matthew 3:2; 4:17
Pray for it to come
Matthew 6:10
The Kingdom - The Church

8. The Kingdom - The Church
Kingdom would come during life of the Apostles
Some would not die till it came
Mark 9:1
Apostles promised the keys - Gospel
Matthew 16:18, 19
It would come with power
Tarry in Jerusalem till power received
Luke 24:45-49
Promised by Christ they would receive power
Acts 1:8
John was a brother in the kingdom on the Lord’s day
Revelation 1:9
The Kingdom - The Church

9. The Kingdom - The Church
Church established in the First Century
Believers added to it daily
Acts 2:41, 47
Church was persecuted
Acts 8:1
Elders instructed to feed the flock
Acts 20:28
Paul wrote unto the church
1 Corinthians 1:1, 2
Christ was the promised seed-blessed all nations
Galatians 3:8, 16, 27-29
Christ exalted over all and made head of the church
Ephesians 1:19-23
The Kingdom - The Church

10. The Kingdom - The Church
Church established in the First Century
Christ is the Savior of it
Ephesians 5:23
There is glory in the church in all ages
Ephesians 3:21
Saints translated into the kingdom
Colossians 1:12,13
Paul called it the house of God
1 Timothy 3:15
Saints received it - obeyed the gospel
Hebrews 12:38
Christ exalted over all and made the Head of the church
Ephesians 1:19-23
The Kingdom - The Church

11. The Kingdom - The Church
This Kingdom is Spiritual in Nature - Not Earthly!
Christ’s kingdom “…is not of this world”
John 18:33-36
Blessings are in the Seed - Christ
Genesis 22:18; Galatians 3:27-29
Earthly kings not God’s will (Pope)
1 Samuel 8:6-8
Christ has all authority- Heaven & Earth
Matthew 28:18; Daniel 7:14; Colossians 1:18
Heaven is His throne - the earth His footstool
Acts 7:49
Spiritual Zion (the church) begin in the last days in Jerusalem
Acts 1:4-8; 2:16-21

12. The Kingdom - The Church
Conclusion
The kingdom is the church
The church is the kingdom
Denominations are in error
Must respect the context of the passage
Christ is reigning now over His kingdom
He will reign until the last enemy is destroyed
The last enemy is death
The Kingdom - The Church

13. The Kingdom - The Church
1 Corinthians 15:24-28
“24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all”
The Kingdom - The Church