Topical Encyclopedia
In the Christian theological framework, the concept of "King Christ" refers to the sovereign rule of Jesus Christ as the divine monarch over His kingdom. This kingdom is not of this world, as Jesus Himself stated in
John 18:36, "My kingdom is not of this world." The subjects of this kingdom are the saints, those who have been set apart by God and redeemed through the sacrifice of Christ.
Definition of SaintsThe term "saints" in the New Testament is derived from the Greek word "hagios," meaning "holy" or "set apart." Saints are those who have been sanctified by faith in Jesus Christ, called to live lives that reflect His holiness. In
1 Corinthians 1:2, Paul addresses the believers in Corinth as "sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints," indicating their distinct status as members of Christ's kingdom.
Characteristics of the Saints1.
Chosen and Called: Saints are chosen by God and called to be His people.
Ephesians 1:4-5 states, "For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will."
2.
Redeemed and Justified: Through the atoning work of Christ, saints are redeemed from sin and justified before God.
Romans 5:9 affirms, "Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him!"
3.
Sanctified and Transformed: The process of sanctification involves the transformation of the believer into the likeness of Christ.
2 Corinthians 3:18 describes this transformation: "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
4.
Citizens of Heaven: As subjects of King Christ, saints are citizens of a heavenly kingdom.
Philippians 3:20 declares, "But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ."
Role and Responsibilities of the Saints1.
Worship and Service: Saints are called to worship God and serve Him faithfully.
Romans 12:1 urges believers, "Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship."
2.
Witness and Evangelism: As ambassadors of Christ, saints are tasked with spreading the Gospel.
Acts 1:8 records Jesus' commission: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
3.
Holiness and Obedience: Saints are called to live holy lives, reflecting the character of their King.
1 Peter 1:15-16 exhorts, "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'"
4.
Unity and Love: The community of saints is marked by unity and love for one another.
Ephesians 4:3 encourages believers to "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."
Inheritance of the SaintsThe saints, as subjects of King Christ, are promised an eternal inheritance.
Colossians 1:12-13 speaks of this inheritance: "Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son." This inheritance is imperishable, kept in heaven for those who are faithful to their King (
1 Peter 1:4).
In summary, the saints are the subjects of King Christ, chosen and called to live lives of holiness, service, and witness, as they await their eternal inheritance in His heavenly kingdom.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Colossians 1:13Who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
Torrey's Topical TextbookRevelation 15:3
And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are your works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are your ways, you King of saints.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
Christ's Kingly Office
... [3.] Christ is a ... There is nothing lost by serving this king. ... Godliness has the promise
of this life.' 1 Timothy 4:4. These are, as it were, the saints' veils. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/5 christs kingly office.htm
The Communion of Saints.
... as Christians, that is, as belonging to Christ, enjoy "The ... may enjoy this position
of the Saints, if they ... if they are disloyal subjects of their King, if they ...
/.../burbidge/the kingdom of heaven what is it/chapter x the communion of.htm
An Index to Find a Psalm Suited to Particular Subjects or ...
... mindedness, [1115]119, [1116]2nd part: see Saints, Grace, etc. Spouse of Christ,
the King, is the church, [1117]45. Spring. of the year, [1118]65; ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/an index to find a.htm
The Kingdom Given to the Saints at the Resurrection of the Just.
... which the righteous dead and the living saints are made ... Jesus Christ." "And if ye
be Christ's, then are ... used to symbolize the loss of the king's reason, there ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the kingdom given to the.htm
The victory of the King
... It is true that the crowned saints of the world might ... For such a king, weapons of
force are impossible, and ... They have often tried to fight for Christ with the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the victory of the king.htm
Particular Index of Subjects.
... his triumph desired, 320. the universal king, 287, 297. ... saints in, 561, 562. ... Kingdom
of Christ, 213, 284, 286, 288, 289, 298, 304, 311, 312, 322. ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/particular index of subjects.htm
Epistle Lxvi. To Edilbert, King of the Angli.
... To Edilbert, King of the Angli ... it with himself to our Almighty Lord God Jesus Christ,
and turned ... is already close at hand, and the reign of the saints is coming ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle lxvi to edilbert king.htm
Perseverance of Saints.
... 3.) It is also said, that Solomon king of Israel ... eaten of the spiritual meat, and
drank of the rock Christ, and therefore must have been real saints. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture li perseverance of saints.htm
Psalm 89 the Covenant Made with Christ; Or, the True David.
... LM The covenant made with Christ; or, The true David. ... Jesus, her Savior and her King;
Angels his heav'nly wonders show,. And saints declare his works below. ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/psalm 89 the covenant made.htm
Conclusion.
... now profess to bear His Name may be "Saints" indeed ... the Kingdoms of our Lord, and
of His Christ, and He ... Now the King Himself declared the source from which the ...
/.../burbidge/the kingdom of heaven what is it/chapter xi conclusion.htm
Resources
Is the Church of Christ a good biblical church? | GotQuestions.orgIs there a difference in meaning between Jesus Christ and Christ Jesus? | GotQuestions.orgQuestions about Jesus Christ (All) | GotQuestions.orgChrist: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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