Transcript THE MESSIANIC KINGDOM

THE MESSIANIC KINGDOM
1
Gold
Inferiority
Silver
Bronze
Iron
Iron &
Clay
2
The Stone Cut Without Hands
Divine Activity
3
A Great Mountain
The Kingdom Of God
4
The Significance Of A “Mountain”
• Isa. 13:4: “The noise of a multitude in the
mountains, as of a great people! the
noise of a tumult of the kingdoms of the
nations gathered together! Jehovah of
hosts is mustering the host for the battle.”
5
The Significance Of A “Mountain”
• Jer. 51:24-26: 24 “And I will repay Babylon And
all the inhabitants of Chaldea For all the evil they
have done In Zion in your sight,” says the Lord. 25
“Behold, I am against you, O destroying
mountain, Who destroys all the earth,” says the
Lord. “And I will stretch out My hand against you,
Roll you down from the rocks, And make you a
burnt mountain.26 They shall not take from you a
stone for a corner Nor a stone for a foundation,
But you shall be desolate forever,” says the Lord.
6
Dan. 2:35, 44-45
35…And
the stone that struck the image became
a great mountain and filled the whole earth. ….
44“And in the days of these kings the God of heaven
will set up a kingdom which shall never be
destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other
people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these
kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. 45“Inasmuch as
you saw that the stone was cut out of the mountain
without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron,
the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold….
8
Gold
Babylon
Silver
Media
Bronze
Persia
Iron
Liberal Critical View
Greece
Iron &
Clay
9
Liberal Critical Arguments
• Babylon to be conquered by Medes (Isa.
13:17; Jer. 51:11)
• Babylon “divided” (partitioned) between
Medes and Persians (Dan. 5:28)
• Darius the Mede vs. Cyrus the Persian
• Darius ruled before Cyrus (Dan. 6:28)
10
Liberal Critical Arguments
• Second inferior kingdom fits the Medes
• Fourth kingdom fits Greece
• Kingdom of God not established until
after four kingdoms
11
Response
• Many nations involved in Babylon’s
destruction (Isa. 21:2; Jer. 51:27-28)
• “Divided” means to break in two not
necessarily partitioned (Dan. 5:28)
• Darius the Mede was bound by “law of the
Medes and Persians” (Dan. 6:8, 12, 15)
12
Response
• Ram represents “the kings of Media and
Persia” (Dan. 8:20)
• Media and Persia connected together
(Esth. 1:3, 14, 18-19; 10:2)
• Racial distinction does not prove
independent Median kingdom
13
Response
• No conclusive proof that Darius ruled
before Cyrus
– Darius may have been subordinate ruler
– Darius may have been Cyrus
• Inferiority doesn’t necessarily refer to
military might or size of empire
14
Response
• Third kingdom “ruling over all the
earth” (Dan. 2:39) “fits” Greeks better
than Persians
• Fourth kingdom “fits” Rome
• Kingdom of God established “in the days
of these kings” not afterward (Dan. 2:44)
• Prophesy failed
15
Response
• Liberal Critics have anti-supernatural
bias
16
Gold
Babylon
Silver
MedoPersia
Bronze
Greece
Iron
Stuart’s View
Successors
Iron &
Clay
17
Response
• Greek kingdom not two independent
kingdoms
– Leopard = one animal with 4 heads (Dan. 7:6)
– He-Goat = one animal with 4 horns (Dan. 8:58)
– Four horns = 4 inferior kingdoms (Dan.
8:21-23)
18
Response
• Fourth kingdom “break[ing] in pieces and
crush[ing] all others” (Dan. 2:40) hardly
“fits” the Seleucid kingdom
• Prophecy failed
19
Gold
Babylon
Silver
MedoPersia
Bronze
Greece
Iron
Iron &
Clay
Dispensational View
Rome
(Ancient &
Revived)
20
Dispensational Arguments
• Stone striking image suggest catastrophic
event
• Christianity did not “fill the whole earth”
• Ten toes = ten horns (Dan. 7:7, 20, 24) of
Revived Roman Empire
21
Response
• No hint of Revived Roman Empire
• Interpretation based on assumptions
– Image has ten toes
– Ten toes = ten horns
– Ten horns = ten kingdoms
• Does not harmonize with NT teaching
22
Gold
Babylon
Silver
MedoPersia
Bronze
Greece
Iron
Traditional View
Rome
Iron &
Clay
23
Arguments For Traditional View
• Accepted interpretation until 19th century
• Christianity born during time of Roman
Empire
24
Objections To Traditional View
• Stone destroyed whole image
• Image destroyed suddenly &
catastrophically
• Image destroyed before kingdom of God
established
• All world monarchies would end with the
establishment of God’s kingdom
• Stone didn’t fill the whole earth
25
The Significance Of The Great
Mountain
The Kingdom Of God
26
The Sociological View
George E. Ladd: “The Kingdom of God is the ideal
social order in which men learn to enjoy a relation to God as
sons and to one another as brothers. It is humanity organized
according to the will of God, the Christian transfiguration of
the social order, the establishment of a community of
righteousness in mankind. This new society of the Kingdom
of God will be achieved by the reign of love. It is in short the
recognition of the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of
man. …. The popular form of this view looks to the church
to build the Kingdom of God on earth.” (“The Kingdom Of
God And The Church,” Foundations: A Baptist Journal Of History And
Theology, April, 1961, 4:2:167)
27
The Eschatological View
George E. Ladd: “The Kingdom of God by definition is
the earthly Kingdom promised to Israel in the Old
Testament in which the Jewish people will rule over the
Gentile nations of earth. Jesus offered the Jews this Davidic
Kingdom. When they rejected it, it was postponed and will
be finally established as the millennial Kingdom of Christ
at his Second Coming. In the parenthesis period between the
rejection and the coming of the Kingdom, God is doing a new
thing unforeseen in the Old Testament. He is creating the
church, the body and bride of Christ. (“The Kingdom Of God And
The Church,” Foundations: A Baptist Journal Of History And Theology,
April, 1961, 4:2:165-166)
28
The “Air Of Expectancy”
• Simeon was waiting for the consolation of Israel
(Lk. 2:25)
• Anna was looking for the redemption of Jerusalem
(Lk. 2:38)
• The thief on the cross asked Jesus to remember
him when “You come into your kingdom” (Lk. 23:42)
• Joseph of Arimathaea was waiting for the kingdom
of God (Mk. 15:42-43; Lk. 23:50-51)
• The apostles asked: “Lord, will You at this time
restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6)
29
The Kingdom Was Near
• John the Baptist preached that the kingdom of
God was "at hand" (Mt. 3:2)
• Jesus preached that the kingdom of God was
"at hand" (Mt. 4:17)
• The apostles preached that the kingdom of
God was "at hand" (Mt. 10:7)
• The seventy preached that the kingdom of
God was "near" (Lk. 10:9, 11)
30
The Time Is Fulfilled
• Daniel: “And in the days of these kings the God of heaven
will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the
kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces
and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.”
(Dan. 2:44)
• Jesus: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at
hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mk. 1:15)
 If Daniel looked to the 21st century, then
dispensationalists are right and Jesus was wrong!
 If Daniel looked to the 1st century, then Jesus was right
and dispensationalists are wrong!
31
Mark 9:1
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.'

Jesus was mistaken

Jesus lied

There’s some awfully old people walking around

The kingdom was established during the lifetime of
Jesus' contemporaries

There is another explanation
32
Christ Has All Authority
(Mt. 28:18)
• Angels, authorities, and powers (1 Pet. 3:22)
• Principalities and powers (Col. 2:9-10, 14-15)
• Rule, authority, power, dominion, every name
(Eph. 1:20-21)
• All things to the church (Eph. 1:22-23)
• All flesh (Jn. 17:1-2)
• All things (Jn. 13:3; 1 Cor. 15:27; Eph. 1:22)
• Kings (1 Tim. 6:14-15; Rev. 1:5; 17:14; 19:1516)
• Death and Hades (Rev. 1:18)
33
The Kingdom Has Come
• Christ is reigning on David's throne (Acts 2:29-36; 5:31)
• Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Tim. 6:15;
Rev. 1:5; 17:14; 19:16)
• Philip preached the good news about the kingdom (Acts
8:12)
• Early Christians proclaimed Jesus as King (Acts 17:6-7)
• Paul preached the kingdom (Acts 19:8; 20:25; 28:23, 3031)
34
The Kingdom Has Come
• The Colossians were translated into the kingdom (Col.
1:13-14)
• The Thessalonians were called into the kingdom (1 Th.
2:12)
• The Hebrew Christians received a kingdom (Heb. 12:28)
• John was a partaker in the kingdom (Rev. 1:6, 9)
• Men of every tribe and tongue were made a kingdom
(Rev. 5:9-10)
35
The Ecclesiological View
George E. Ladd: “The ecclesiological
interpretation of the Kingdom in one way or another
equates the Kingdom and the church. The
Kingdom is composed of the people who are subject
to the rule of God or who share his rule.” (“The
Kingdom Of God And The Church,” Foundations, April, 1961, 4:2:164)
36
Can The “Kingdom” Be The
“Church” In These Passages?
• Mt. 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God
and His righteousness, and all these things shall be
added to you.
• Mt. 11:11-12: 11“Assuredly, I say to you, among
those born of women there has not risen one
greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least
in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12“And from the days of John the Baptist until
now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and
the violent take it by force.
37
Can The “Kingdom” Be The
“Church” In These Passages?
• Mt. 12:28: “But if I cast out demons by the
Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has
come upon you.
• Mt. 13:19: When anyone hears the word of the
kingdom, and does not understand it, then the
wicked one comes and snatches away what was
sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by
the wayside.
38
Can The “Kingdom” Be The
“Church” In These Passages?
• Mt. 13:24, 38, 41: 24Another parable He put forth
to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a
man who sowed good seed in his field…. 38“The
field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of
the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the
wicked one…. 41“The Son of Man will send out
His angels, and they will gather out of His
kingdom all things that offend, and those who
practice lawlessness,
39
Can The “Kingdom” Be The
“Church” In These Passages?
• Mt. 21:43: 43“Therefore I say to you, the
kingdom of God will be taken from you and
given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.
• Mk. 10:15: 15“Assuredly, I say to you, whoever
does not receive the kingdom of God as a little
child will by no means enter it.”
• Lk. 12:32: 32“Do not fear, little flock, for it is
your Father’s good pleasure to give you the
kingdom.
40
Can The “Kingdom” Be The
“Church” In These Passages?
• Lk. 17:20-21: 20Now when He was asked by the
Pharisees when the kingdom of God would
come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom
of God does not come with observation; 21“nor
will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For
indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”
41
Can The “Kingdom” Be The
“Church” In These Passages?
• Lk. 19:11-12, 15: 11Now as they heard these things,
He spoke another parable, because He was near
Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of
God would appear immediately. 12Therefore He said:
“A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive
for himself a kingdom and to return. …. 15“And so it
was that when he returned, having received the
kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to
whom he had given the money, to be called to him,
that he might know how much every man had gained
by trading.
42
Can The “Kingdom” Be The
“Church” In These Passages?
• Lk. 21:31: 31“So you also, when you see
these things happening, know that the
kingdom of God is near.
• Acts 1:6: 6Therefore, when they had come
together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will
You at this time restore the kingdom to
Israel?”
43
Can The “Kingdom” Be The
“Church” In These Passages?
• 1 Cor. 4:20-21: 20For the kingdom of God is
not in word but in power. 21What do you want?
Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a
spirit of gentleness?
• 1 Cor. 15:50: 50Now this I say, brethren, that
flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of
God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.
44
The Theological View
George E. Ladd: “The view which we believe
to be required by the New Testament data may be
called the theological view, because it finds the
fundamental meaning of the Kingdom of God not in
the church nor in an eschatological order nor in an
earthly social order but in the redemptive rule of
God himself. One of the most valuable
achievements of critical Biblical theology has been
the discovery that the Kingdom of God is not
primarily a people nor a realm nor a social order but
the dynamic rule of God.” (“The Kingdom Of God And The
Church,” Foundations: A Baptist Journal Of History And Theology,
April, 1961, 4:2:168)
45
The Kingdom Is Not The People
• Dan. 2:44: 44“And in the days of these kings the
God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall
never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be
left to other people; it shall break in pieces and
consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand
forever.
• Dan. 7:18: 18‘But the saints of the Most High
shall receive the kingdom, and possess the
kingdom forever, even forever and ever.’
46
“Kingdom”
(Basileia)
W. E. Vine: “is primarily an abstract
noun, denoting sovereignty, royal power,
dominion…. then, by metonymy, a concrete
noun, denoting the territory or people over
whom a king rules, e.g., Matt. 4:8; Mark
3:24.” (The Expanded Vine’s Expository Dictionary of
New Testament Words, p. 624)
47
“Kingdom”
(Basileia)
• BAGD: "1. kingship, royal power, royal rule,
kingdom.... 2. kingdom, i.e. the territory ruled
over by a king.... 3. esp. the royal reign or
kingdom of God.…” (A Greek-English Lexicon of the New
Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, pp. 134-135)
• Joseph Thayer: "1. royal power, kingship,
dominion, rule.... 2. a kingdom i.e. the territory
subject to the rule of a king.…” (A Greek-English
Lexicon of the New Testament, #932, pp. 96-97)
48
“Kingdom”
•
H. L. Ellison: “Kingdom...is primarily
‘sovereignty’, kingly rule and power. It is
something which has always existed, but in its
fulness it is yet future. It entered the world in a
new way with the coming of the King (Mk
1:15)....
“There are a few passages where it is used more
in our sense of the sphere in which God’s
sovereignty is exercised. Even here, however, the
stress on God’s sovereignty is normally
prominent." (The New Layman's Bible Commentary, p. 1189)
49
The “Kingdom” In
Hebrew Parallelism
• 1 Chr. 29:11: Yours, O Lord, is the greatness,
The power and the glory, The victory and the
majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth
is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, And
You are exalted as head over all.
54
The “Kingdom” In
Hebrew Parallelism
• Psa. 22:28: 28 For the kingdom is the
Lord’s, And He rules over the nations.
• Psa. 103:19: The Lord has established His
throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over
all.
• Psa. 145:11: “They shall speak of the
glory of Your kingdom, And talk of Your
power”
55
The “Kingdom” In
Hebrew Parallelism
• Psa. 145:13: “Your kingdom is an
everlasting kingdom, And Your dominion
endures throughout all generations.”
• Dan. 4:3: “How great are His signs, And
how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is
an everlasting kingdom, And His
dominion is from generation to
generation.”
56
The “Kingdom” In
Hebrew Parallelism
• Dan. 4:34: “And at the end of the time I,
Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to
heaven, and my understanding returned to
me; and I blessed the Most High and
praised and honored Him who lives
forever: For His dominion is an
everlasting dominion, And His kingdom is
from generation to generation.”
57
The “Kingdom” In
Hebrew Parallelism
• Dan. 6:26: “I make a decree that in every
dominion of my kingdom men must
tremble and fear before the God of Daniel.
For He is the living God, And steadfast
forever; His kingdom is the one which
shall not be destroyed, And His dominion
shall endure to the end.”
58
The “Kingdom” In
Hebrew Parallelism
• Dan. 7:14: “Then to Him was given
dominion and glory and a kingdom, That
all peoples, nations, and languages should
serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting
dominion, Which shall not pass away, And
His kingdom the one Which shall not be
destroyed.”
59
The “Kingdom” In
Hebrew Parallelism
• Dan. 7:27: Then the kingdom and dominion,
And the greatness of the kingdoms under the
whole heaven, Shall be given to the people, the
saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an
everlasting kingdom, And all dominions shall
serve and obey Him.’
• Lk. 1:33: 33 "And He will reign over the
house of Jacob forever, and of His
kingdom there will be no end."
60
The “Kingdom” And
Associated Terms
• Mic. 4:8: “And you, O tower of the flock,
The stronghold of the daughter of Zion, To
you shall it come, Even the former
dominion shall come, The kingdom of
the daughter of Jerusalem."
• Mt. 6:13: And do not lead us into
temptation, But deliver us from the evil
one. For Yours is the kingdom and the
power and the glory forever. Amen.
61
The “Kingdom” And
Associated Terms
• Acts 8:12: 12 But when they believed
Philip as he preached the things
concerning the kingdom of God and the
name of Jesus Christ, both men and
women were baptized.
62
The “Kingdom” And
Associated Terms
• 1 Cor. 15:24: “Then comes the end, when
He delivers the kingdom to God the
Father, when He puts an end to all rule
and all authority and power.”
• Col. 1:13: “He has delivered us from the
power of darkness and conveyed us into
the kingdom of the Son of His love”
63
The “Kingdom” And
Associated Terms
• Rev. 12:10: “Then I heard a loud voice
saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and
strength, and the kingdom of our God,
and the power of His Christ have come,
for the accuser of our brethren, who
accused them before our God day and
night, has been cast down.”
64
The “Kingdom” And
Explanatory Phrases
• Mt. 6:10: 10 Your kingdom come. Your
will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
• Lk. 11:2: 2 So He said to them, "When
you pray, say: Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom
come. Your will be done On earth as it is
in heaven.
65
I AM NOT SAYING…
• The church was an afterthought (Eph.
3:10-11)
• The church was not prophesied of in the
OT
• The church was not established on
Pentecost
• The kingdom has not been established
66
Isaiah 2
Kingdom
Church
67
The Kingdom And The Church
Kingdom
Church
Isa. 2:2-3
Common Origin
Acts 2:1-47
Dan. 2:44
Identical Boundary
Mk. 16:15
Jn. 18:36
Same Ownership
Mt. 16:18
1 Tim. 6:15
Common Rulership
Eph. 5:23
Isa. 2:3
Common Law
Acts 2:38-47
Jn. 3:5
Same Entry
Acts 2:38
68
The Kingdom And The Church
Kingdom
Church
Col. 1:13
Common
Membership
Col. 1:2
Mt. 26:29
Same Memorial Meal
1 Cor. 11:20-27
Isa. 2:2-3
Identical Glory
Eph. 3:21
Mt. 25:31-34
Same Reward
1 Cor. 15:58
1 Cor. 15:24
Same Deliverance
1 Th. 4:16-17
Idea from Colly Caldwell, Truth Commentaries: Ephesians, p. 123
69
The HS And The Word
The Spirit
The Word
1 Cor. 2:13
Teaches
2 Tim. 3:16-17
Neh. 9:20`
Instructs
2 Tim. 3:16-17
Jn. 16:8
Convicts
Tit. 1:9
Jn. 3:5
Begets
1 Cor. 4:15
Jn. 3:5-6, 8
Gives Birth
1 Pet. 1:23
Rom. 8:14
Leads
Psa. 43:3
Jn. 6:63
Quickens
Psa. 119:50, 93
Jn. 16:13
Guides
2 Tim. 3:16-17
2 Th. 2:13
Sanctifies
Jn. 17:17
70
The HS And The Word
The Spirit
The Word
Tit. 3:5
Saves
Jas. :21
1 Cor. 6:11
Washes
Eph. 5:26
Acts 9:31
Comforts
Rom. 15:4
Eph. 3:16
Strengthens
Acts 20:32
Jn. 15:26
Witnesses
Jn. 5:39
Rom. 5:5
Prompts Love
1 Jn. 2:5
1 Th. 1:6
Gives Joy
Jn. 15:11
Rom. 15:13
Gives Hope
Rom. 15:4
Gal. 5:22
Produces Faith
Rom. 10:17
71
The HS And The Word
The Spirit
The Word
1 Cor. 6:11
Cleanses
1 Pet. 1:22
Acts 7:51
Be Resisted
2 Tim. 3:8
Rom. 15:13
Has Power
Rom. 1:16-17
Gal. 5:22-23
Bears Fruit
Col. 1:5-6
Mt. 12:31-32
Be Blasphemed
Tit. 2:5
Gal. 5:16-18
Be Walked In
2 Jn. 4
Rom. 8:9
Dwells In
Col. 3:16
Sword of the Spirit = Word of God (Eph. 6:17)
72
Sometimes “Kingdom” Means…
Territory
“Their territory was
from Mahanaim, all
Bashan, all the
kingdom of Og king of
Bashan, and all the
towns of Jair which are
in Bashan, sixty cities;”
(Josh. 13:30)
73
Sometimes “Kingdom” Means…
People
“5 Now therefore, if
you will indeed obey My
voice and keep My
covenant, then you shall
be a special treasure to Me
above all people; for all
the earth is Mine. 6 And
you shall be to Me a
kingdom of priests and a
holy nation.” (Ex. 19:5-6)
74
Sometimes “Kingdom” Means…
Rule
“And He will reign
over the house of Jacob
forever, and of His
kingdom there will be
no end.” (Lk. 1:33)
75
Sometimes “Kingdom” Means…
Manifestation
“But if I cast out
demons by the Spirit of
God, surely the
kingdom of God has
come upon you.” (Mt.
12:28)
76
Sometimes “Kingdom” Means…
Heavenly
Kingdom
And the Lord will
deliver me from every
evil work and preserve
me for His heavenly
kingdom. To Him be
glory forever and ever.
Amen! (2 Tim. 4:18)
77
Christ Has All Authority
(Mt. 28:18)
• Angels, authorities, and powers (1 Pet. 3:22)
• Principalities and powers (Col. 2:9-10, 14-15)
• Rule, authority, power, dominion, every name
(Eph. 1:20-21)
• All things to the church (Eph. 1:22-23)
• All flesh (Jn. 17:1-2)
• All things (Jn. 13:3; 1 Cor. 15:27; Eph. 1:22)
• Kings (1 Tim. 6:14-15; Rev. 1:5; 17:14; 19:1516)
• Death and Hades (Rev. 1:18)
78
My Old Concept
Kingdom/Church
(Divine Institution)
79
My New Concept
Church
(People)
80
The Little Red Wagon Concept
Church
81
The Little Red Wagon Concept
Church
82
83
84
Corinth
Laodicea
Eunuch
Sardis
Philadelphia
Smyrna
85
Spirits of Just Men Made Perfect
Corinth
Laodicea
Eunuch
Sardis
Philadelphia
Smyrna
86
The “Universal” Church
87
Different Interpretations
• Mt. 6:10: Your kingdom come. Your will
be done On earth as it is in heaven.
• Mt. 16:18: 18“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.
88
Different Interpretations
• Rom. 14:17: for the kingdom of God is
not eating and drinking, but righteousness
and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
• 1 Cor. 15:24: Then comes the end, when
He delivers the kingdom to God the Father,
when He puts an end to all rule and all
authority and power.
89
The “Church” In Acts
• Membership in “universal church” not
mentioned in recorded sermons
• Little mention of “universal church”
(Acts 2:47; 9:31)
• Only recorded instruction concerns
“local church” (Acts 20:28)
90
The “Kingdom” In Acts
• Jesus spoke with the apostles about “things
pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3)
• The apostles asked Jesus if this was the time
when He would restore the kingdom to Israel
(Acts 1:6)
• Philip preached “things concerning the kingdom
of God and the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts
8:12)
91
The “Kingdom” In Acts
• Paul told early disciples that they “must
through many tribulations enter the
kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22)
• Paul preached “the kingdom of God”
(Acts 19:8; 20:25; 28:23, 31)
92
How The Church Came To Antioch?
• “Preaching the Lord Jesus” (Acts 11:20)
• “Turned unto the Lord” (Acts 11:21)
• “Cleave unto the Lord” (Acts 11:23)
• “Added unto the Lord” (Acts 11:24)
• “The disciples were first called Christians”
(Acts 11:26)
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Our Speech Betrays Us
• “I was raised Church of Christ”
• “I’m Church of Christ”
• “Is He a member of the Church?”
• “He brought shame and reproach on the
Church”
• “He left the Church”
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Our Speech Betrays Us
• “He came back to the Church”
• “He’s a Church of Christ preacher”
• “The Church split over institutionalism
back in the 1950’s”
• “The New Testament Church was restored
during the 1800’s”
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Our Speech Betrays Us
• “I know when I see the name “Church of
Christ” on the building, they’ll be preaching
the truth inside”
• “What’s wrong with the Church of Christ?”
• “You have to be a member of the Church
to be saved”
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Daniel 7:13-14
13 “I
was watching in the night visions, And behold,
One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of
heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they
brought Him near before Him. 14 Then to Him was given
dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples,
nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion
is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away,
And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed.
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