Topical Encyclopedia The concept of the Church as "My Kingdom" is deeply rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ and the New Testament writings. This entry explores the theological and biblical foundations of the Church as the manifestation of God's Kingdom on earth, as understood within the Christian tradition.Biblical Foundation The term "kingdom" in the New Testament often refers to the reign and rule of God, inaugurated through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus frequently spoke of the Kingdom of God in His teachings, emphasizing its present reality and future fulfillment. In Matthew 16:18-19 , Jesus declares, "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Here, Jesus establishes the Church as a central component of His Kingdom, granting it authority and a divine mandate. The Church as the Body of Christ The Apostle Paul further elucidates the nature of the Church as the Body of Christ, a living organism through which Christ continues His work on earth. In Ephesians 1:22-23 , Paul writes, "And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." This passage highlights the Church's role as the embodiment of Christ's presence and authority, serving as a conduit for His Kingdom's values and mission. The Kingdom's Present and Future Reality The Church exists in the tension between the "already" and the "not yet" of God's Kingdom. Jesus proclaimed in Luke 17:20-21 , "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst." This indicates that the Kingdom is both a present reality, experienced through the life of the Church, and a future hope, awaiting its full consummation at Christ's return. The Mission of the Church The Church's mission is to advance the Kingdom of God by proclaiming the Gospel, making disciples, and living out the values of the Kingdom. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 underscores this mission: "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'" The Church is called to be a witness to the transformative power of the Kingdom, embodying justice, mercy, and love in a broken world. The Church as a Community of Believers The Church is not merely an institution but a community of believers united by faith in Christ. Acts 2:42-47 provides a glimpse of the early Church's communal life: "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer... And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." This passage illustrates the Church as a fellowship of believers who support one another, grow in faith, and collectively participate in the mission of the Kingdom. Conclusion While the Church is an imperfect vessel, it remains the primary means through which God advances His Kingdom on earth. Through worship, service, and proclamation, the Church seeks to reflect the glory of God and the reality of His Kingdom, anticipating the day when Christ will return to establish His reign in fullness. Nave's Topical Index John 18:36Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. Nave's Topical Index Library How the Abbot Ceolfrid Sent Master-Builders to the King of the ... Ascension the Kingdom of Christ. Psalm XXII. The Doctrine of the Church i. Definition; Distinctions. The Christian Church A Sad and Singular Story. The King on his Throne. "Give Heed unto Me," the Church Says unto You; Give Heed unto Me ... My Creed Leads Me to Think that Prayer is Efficacious... The Nearness of the Kingdom Resources What are appropriate reasons for missing church? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the church? | GotQuestions.org What is meant by High Church and Low Church? | GotQuestions.org Church: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Church and State: Attempted Usurpation of Ecclesiastical Functions by Civil Authorities, Reproved Church and State: Ecclesiastical Power Superior to Civil: Appoints Kings Church and State: Ecclesiastical Power Superior to Civil: Directs Administration Church and State: Ecclesiastical Power Superior to Civil: Reproves Rulers Church and State: Ecclesiastical Power Superior to Civil: Withdraws Support and Anoints a Successor Church and State: Manasseh, in Subverting, and Afterward Restoring, the True Religion Church and State: State Superior to Religion: Ahaz, in Transforming the Altars Church and State: State Superior to Religion: Hezekiah, in Reorganizing Temple Service Church and State: State Superior to Religion: Jehoash, in Supervising the Repairs of the Temple Church and State: State Superior to Religion: Jeroboam, in Subverting the Jewish Religion Church is Clothed in Righteousness Church of Israel in Covenant With God Church of Israel was Relatively Holy Church of Israel: A Type of the Church of Christ Church of Israel: Admission Into, by Circumcision Church of Israel: All Israelites Members of Church of Israel: Attachment of the Jews To Church of Israel: Called The: Congregation of Israel Church of Israel: Called The: Congregation of the Lord Church of Israel: Established by God Church of Israel: Had: A Spiritual Church Within It Church of Israel: Had: An Appointed Place of Worship Church of Israel: Had: An Ordained Ministry Church of Israel: Had: Appointed Feasts Church of Israel: Had: Appointed Ordinances Church of Israel: Had: The Divine Presence Manifested in It Church of Israel: Members of Excommunicated for Heavy Offenses Church of Israel: Members of Required to Attend Its Worship Church of Israel: Members of Required to Keeps Its Statutes Church of Israel: Members of Required to Know Its Statutes Church of Israel: Members of Separated From, While Unclean Church of Israel: Persons Excluded From Church of Israel: Privileges of Church of Israel: Proselytes Admitted Into Church of Israel: Supported by the People Church of Israel: The Depository of Holy Writ Church of Israel: Worship of, Consisted in Praise Church of Israel: Worship of, Consisted in Prayer Church of Israel: Worship of, Consisted in Preaching Church of Israel: Worship of, Consisted in Reading God's Word Church of Israel: Worship of, Consisted in Sacrifice Church: Assembly of the Saints Church: Assembly of the Upright Church: Baptized (Immersed) Into by One Spirit Church: Believers Continually Added To, by the Lord Church: Branch of God's Planting Church: Called the Congregation in the O. T. (K. J. V. And Others) Church: Christian, Divinely Established Church: Church of the Firstborn Church: Church of the Living God Church: City of the Living God Church: Congregation of Saints Church: Congregation of the Lord's Poor Church: Defiling of, Will be Punished Church: Divisions In, to be Shunned Church: Family in Heaven and Earth Church: General Assembly of the Firstborn (People) Church: God Provides Ministers For Church: God's Husbandry (Farm) Church: Golden Candlestick (Lampstand) Church: Government of, Mosaic and Christian Church: Harmonious Fellowship of Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Antioch Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Asia Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Babylon Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Caesarea Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Cenchrea Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Cilicia Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Corinth Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Ephesus Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Galatia Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Galilee Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Jerusalem Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Joppa Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Judaea Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Laodicea Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Pergamos Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Philadelphia Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Samaria Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Sardis Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Smyrna Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Syria Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Thessalonica Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Thyatira Church: Lot of God's Inheritance Church: Ministers Commanded to Feed Church: Mountain of the Lord's House Church: Pillar and Ground of the Truth Church: Prophecies Concerning Prosperity of Church: Rules of Discipline In, Mosaic and Christian Church: Salt and Light of the World Church: Sought Out, a City not Forsaken Church: Strength and Glory of God Church: Temple of the Living God Church: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Church: Worship of, to be Attended The Church is Edified by the Word The Church: Believers Continually Added To, by the Lord The Church: Christ, the Foundation-Stone of The Church: Christ, the Head of The Church: Clothed in Righteousness The Church: Defiling of, Will be Punished The Church: Displays the Wisdom of God The Church: Extent of, Predicted The Church: Glory to be Ascribed to God By The Church: God Provides Ministers For The Church: Ministers Commanded to Feed The Church: Not to be Despised The Church: Purchased by the Blood of Christ The Church: Saints Baptised Into, by One Spirit The Church: Sanctified and Cleansed by Christ The Church: Shows Forth the Praises of God The Church: The Body of Christ The Church: The Object of the Grace of God The Church: The Wicked Persecute Related Terms |
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