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| COMPARING THE CHURCH
AND THE KINGDOM |
#402
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When New Testament writers set out to explain the nature of
“God’s People,” they were guided by the Holy Spirit to use
descriptive analogies. An analogy is an extended metaphorical
statement or similitude. When applied to our study, this means
that “The People of God” are compared to various other similar
entities -- such as A Kingdom, A Family, A Human Body, A Temple,
and A Vineyard. As we think about the similarities between “The
People of God” and these other things, we are able to learn many
points about the nature of God’s People. Each of these analogies
has a unique slant which helps us to better understand the
church.
Seven “Bible Talks” have already been devoted to a study of
“The Kingdom.” But, in this “Bible Talk,” we need to demonstrate
that “The Kingdom” and “The Church” are one and the same thing.
Both of them are descriptive analogies which help us see what
“The People of God” are like.
New Testament writers used the word “Ekklesia,” or
“Church,” to emphasize the “called out” nature of God’s People.
The church is said to be “called out of darkness” in I Peter
2:9, it is described as “holy” in I Peter 1:15, its members are
called “saints” and are said to be “sanctified” in I Corinthians
1:2. All of these terms demonstrate a quality about God’s People
that we need to understand - God’s People are distinct.
They are different. They are no longer like the rest of the
world. The Biblical term for this quality is called
“Sanctification.” It means “to be set aside for a special
purpose; to be separated out.”
Likewise, the word “Kingdom” is used to emphasize another
unique quality about the People of God. The “Kingdom” analogy
demonstrates the form of governmental authority that God
intended for His People. They are a “Kingdom.” They are ruled by
a monarchy. Only one person has total authority over these
people. It is not a democracy, it is a theocracy (that is . . .
it is ruled by God alone). As citizens of this kingdom, we are
to be in submission to the king. We are to live by His laws and
obey Him. This seems to be the emphasis of the “Kingdom”
analogy. Whereas “The Church” analogy demonstrates the
sanctification aspect of God’s People (that is, they are
“called out” and separate from the world), “The Kingdom” analogy
demonstrates the form of governmental authority that God
intended for His People.
You see, “The Church” and “The Kingdom” are two different
descriptions of the same group of people. “The Church” and “The
Kingdom” are one and the same entity. The same person who is
“king” over the kingdom (John 18:36-37) is also “head” over the
church (Ephesians 5:23). Those who are “citizens” in the kingdom
(Philippians 3:20) are also members of the church (Ephesians
2:19; 5:29-30). Both await the same eternal reward (Hebrews
12:23; I Corinthians 15:24). Both were foretold at the same time
(Matthew 16:18-19); yet, neither was actually seen to be in
existence until after Acts 2 (Acts 5:11; Colossians
1:13). The Lord’s Supper was promised to be a part of “The
Kingdom” (Luke 22:16-18; 29-30); yet, it was observed in the
Corinthian church (I Corinthians 11:23-29). The Apostles were
promised authority in Christ’s Kingdom (Matthew 16:19; Luke
22:30); yet, they are seen to have authority in the church
(Ephesians 4:11-12; 1:22-23). It seems obvious that these two
terms are interchangeable. Their only distinction is that they
illustrate two separate characteristics of God’s People. The
church emphasizes sanctification, the kingdom emphasizes
authority.
In the next few studies, we shall look at four more
analogies which teach us other qualities about The People of
God.
| Bible
Probe |
COMPARING THE
CHURCH AND THE KINGDOM |
402
|
1. List six New Testament analogies used to describe “The People
of God”:
____________________ ____________________
____________________
____________________ ____________________
____________________
2. What quality about God’s People was intended to be conveyed
by using the term “church”?
What does the term “sanctification” mean?
How do the following scriptures illustrate this definition?
I Peter 2:9
I Peter 1:15
I Corinthians 1:2
What does the word “Saint” mean and who is included in this
group?
3. What quality about God’s People was emphasized by use of the
term “kingdom”?
What does the word “monarchy” mean?
What does the word “theocracy" mean?
What is the responsibility of Kingdom Citizens toward their
King?
4. Review the following scripture references and then provide
evidence that “The Church” and “The Kingdom” are one and the
same thing.
John 18:36-37 -- Ephesians
5:23_______________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Philippians 3:20 -- Ephesians 2:19;
5:29-30______________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Hebrews 12:23 -- I Corinthians
15:24____________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Matthew 16:18-19 -- Acts 5:11; Colossians
1:13___________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Luke 22:16-18, 29-30 -- I Corinthians
11:23-29____________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Matthew 16:19; Luke 22:30 -- Ephesians 4:11-12;
1:22-23___________________
___________________________________________________________________
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