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What is the Kingdom of God?
The kingdom of God is referenced often in the gospels (e.g., Mark 1:15; 10:15; 15:43; Luke 17:20) and other places in the New Testament (e.g., Acts 28:31; Romans 14:17; 1 Corinthians 15:50). The kingdom of God is synonymous with the kingdom of heaven. The concept of the Kingdom of God takes on various shades of meaning in different passages of Scripture. Broadly speaking, the Kingdom of God is the rule of an eternal, sovereign God over all the universe. Several Biblical passages show that God is the undeniable Monarch of all creation: “The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all” (Psalm 103:19). And, as King Nebuchadnezzar declared, “His kingdom is an eternal kingdom” (Daniel 4:3). Every authority that exists was established by God (Romans 13:1). So, the kingdom of God encompasses everything that is. More narrowly, the Kingdom of God is a spiritual reign over the hearts and lives of those who willingly submit to God’s authority. Those who defy God’s sovereignty and reject Him are not part of the kingdom of God; in contrast, those who accept the lordship of Christ and willingly surrender to God’s rule in their hearts become part of the kingdom of God. In this sense, the kingdom of God is spiritual. Jesus said His kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36). In addition, He preached that repentance is necessary to be a part of the kingdom of God (Matthew 4:17). Therefore, connecting the kingdom of God with the work of salvation is evident in (John 3:3-7). Here Jesus says the kingdom of God can only be entered by being born again and re-establishing a spiritual relationship with God. See also (1 Corinthians 6:9). There is another sense in which the kingdom of God is used in Scripture. That being the literal rule of Christ on the earth during the millennium. Daniel said that... “the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed” (Daniel 2:44; cf. 7:13-14), and many other prophets predicted the same thing. (e.g., Obadiah 1:21; Habakkuk 2:14; Micah 4:2; Zechariah 14:9). Some theologians refer to the future, the open manifestation of the kingdom of God as the “kingdom of glory” and the present, hidden manifestation of the kingdom of God as the “kingdom of grace.” But these manifestations are connected; Christ has set up His spiritual reign in the church on earth, and He will one day set up His physical rule in the second coming, in Jerusalem. Several Aspects of the Kingdom of God . •The Lord is the Sovereign of the universe, and in that sense, •His kingdom is universal (1 Timothy 6:15). At the same time, •the kingdom of God on earth involves repentance and new birth. •God rules in the hearts of His children in this world in preparation for the next, •Therefore, the work begun on earth will find its completion in Heaven (see Philippians 1:6). © www.gotquestions.org What Is_Kingdom_God.doc Remission
Forgiveness Through Remission into Kingdom Living Now
The underlying principle of being Born Again extends from the original act of the first sacrifice of an innocent animal by God in the Garden of Eden for Adam and Eve. This, following their disobedience and eating fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Remission defined: freedom; (figuratively) pardon: —deliverance, forgiveness, liberty. Hebrews 9:22 (below) indicates from the time of the first sacrifice until Christ's crucifixion blood sacrifices were required by Hebrew law for the remission of sins. When Christ became the sacrificial lamb, "who takes away the sins of the world", he was the last sacrifice, to be offered "once for all" ending the age of sacrifice and ushering in the age of grace. "By that will, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." (Hebrews 10:10 NKJV). The remission of sins no longer required the shedding of blood but was now offered by the grace of God through repentance and sanctification. Christ's sacrifice became the gift of God offered to mankind for the remission of sins. Being a gift, it must be •recognized as such, •accepted and •received by one desiring to be Born Again, •thereby entering into a personal relationship, and •being adopted into the family of God for all eternity. It comes through a conscious, act of the will on the part of each individual. Remission in the New Testament KJV:
Matthew 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Mark 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Luke 1:77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, Luke 3:3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believe [has faith] in him shall receive remission of sins. Romans 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; Hebrews 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. Hebrews 10:18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. |
What Does It Mean To Be A Born Again Christian?
Described The classic passage from the Bible answering this question is John 3:1-21. The Lord Jesus Christ is talking to Nicodemus, a prominent Pharisee, and member of the Sanhedrin (a ruling body of the Jews). Nicodemus had come to Jesus at night with questions. As Jesus talked with Nicodemus, He, Jesus, told him, I tell you the truth, no one can see* the kingdom of God unless he is born again. (*Perceive; understand; have knowledge of.) How can a man be born when he is old? Nicodemus asked. Truly a man cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born? Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can •enter the kingdom of God •unless he is born of water and the Spirit. •Flesh gives birth to flesh (human birth), but the •Spirit gives birth to Spirit. (Spiritual birth). You should not be surprised at my saying you must be born again" (John 3:3-7). Yet to all who received him [Jesus], to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God (John 1:12-13). Defined The phrase born again literally means born from above. Nicodemus had a real need. He needed a change of heart—a spiritual awakening (see Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26). This new awakening to spiritual life, signified by 1. being born again, is an act of God 2. granting eternal life to all who recognize their sinfulness, 3. seek forgiveness, 4. turn (repenting) from their old way of life to a path of Godly living, and 5. believe the sacrificial work of Christ's death. (2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:3; 1John 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1-4, 18). Anyone born again is adopted into the family of God and becomes, like John 1:12-13 declares, children of God through faith in Christ and are now citizens of the Kingdom of God here on earth. The Means Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor human decision or a husband's will but born of God (John 1:12-13). This is the spiritual relationship regained which Adam and Eve lost in the garden. The question logically arises, why does a person need to be born again? Because at our natural birth, we are born with a spirit that is not alive to God due to our lost relationship with God through Adam and Eve's disobedience. •But the apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:1 explains, And you, He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins (NKJV). •In the book of Romans, Paul wrote, For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). •Sinners are spiritually dead. But, when they receive spiritual life through faith in Christ, the Bible likens it to a new birth and being made alive to God. •Only those who are born again have their sins forgiven and begin a newly born spiritual relationship with God who promised this even back in the Old Testament. . . A new heart will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: I will take the stony heart out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:26) Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38) How does this promise come to be? The book of Ephesians 2:8-9 states... For by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8) When one is saved, they are: •born again, •spiritually awakened to Heavenly spiritual matters, •renewed to God, and •become a child of God by right of this new birth, •re-establishing the spiritual relationship with God lost by Adam and Eve; •are adopted into the family of God •now putting full faith and trusting in Jesus Christ for all things, •who paid the penalty for our sins when He died on the cross. •This is how we are born again. — Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old has gone, and the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17). — God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Opportunity If you have never trusted in Jesus Christ as your Savior, will you consider the prompting of the Holy Spirit as He speaks to your heart? You can be born again by praying a prayer of repentance and faith, accepting Christ's sacrifice, and becoming born again into Kingdom Living today? If you want to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, there is a prayer below. Remember, saying this prayer or any other prayer does not save you. It is the pathway to Christ for forgiveness and rejecting all future sinful practices that can destroy you. This prayer is also a means of expressing to God your new faith in Him and thanking Him for providing for your salvation. PRAYER. . . Heavenly Father, I acknowledge my sinfulness and recognize I have sinned against you and deserve punishment. But Jesus took upon himself the punishment I deserved. Now I put my faith in Him and ask Your forgiveness. I place my trust and faith in You for my salvation. Thank You for your grace, forgiveness, the gift of eternal life, and your Holy Spirit to help me in my new life with You. I commit to living a life fitting of my new relationship with you. Amen! ●Why Born Again © www.gotquestions.org Used by Permission. |