What Is the Kingdom of God?
When Philip preached Christ in Samaria, his teaching included the kingdom of God. Those who believed his preaching were baptized.
Acts 8:12 — KJV
“But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.”
The kingdom was part of the message people needed to understand. It concerned the authority of Jesus Christ and their response to Him.
But what is this kingdom? Has it already been established? How does it relate to the church Jesus promised to build?
When we compare the relevant passages, a consistent picture emerges: the church is Christ’s kingdom.
These descriptions emphasize different relationships within the same redeemed people. As the church, they belong to Christ. As His kingdom, they live under His rule. As His body, they follow Him as their Head.
We should examine how the passages connect rather than treating the kingdom and the church as two unrelated groups.
The connected biblical pattern in this study is:
Understand the Promise → Recognize the King → Identify the Kingdom → Enter through the Gospel → Live under His Rule → Look toward Final Glory.
Understand the Promise
God Promised to Establish an Enduring Kingdom
Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dream concerning successive kingdoms. In that setting, he announced a kingdom established by God.
Daniel 2:44 — KJV
“And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.”
This kingdom would differ from the earthly kingdoms described in the dream. God would establish it, and it would endure.
Notice both its divine origin and its promised establishment within history. Daniel did not describe a kingdom that people would create according to their religious preferences.
Its authority and permanence would come from God.
Jesus Said the Kingdom Would Come within His Hearers’ Lifetime
During His earthly ministry, Jesus gave a definite statement about its coming.
Mark 9:1 — KJV
“And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.”
Some who stood before Jesus would see the kingdom come with power before they died.
That promise cannot reasonably be placed thousands of years beyond the lives of everyone Jesus addressed. His words identify an approaching event within the lifetime of some of His hearers.
After His resurrection, Jesus identified the source of the apostles’ promised power.
Acts 1:8 — KJV
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
Luke then recorded what happened at Pentecost.
Acts 2:1–4 — KJV
1. “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.”
2. “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.”
3. “And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.”
4. “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
The passages form a connected sequence. Jesus promised the kingdom would come with power. He connected the apostles’ power with the coming of the Holy Ghost. At Pentecost, they received that promised power.
Acts 2 then records the proclamation of the exalted Christ, the obedience of those who received the word, and the Lord adding the saved to His church.
Taken together, these passages identify Pentecost as the establishment of the promised kingdom and the beginning of Christ’s church.
Recognize the King
Daniel Saw the Son of Man Receive Dominion
Daniel’s vision supplies another important part of the picture.
Daniel 7:13–14 — KJV
13. “I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.”
14. “And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”
Notice the direction described in the vision: the Son of man came to the Ancient of days and received dominion, glory, and a kingdom.
The passage directs our attention to His reception of royal authority before God. We should not automatically treat every reference to coming with clouds as a description of Christ returning to establish an earthly throne.
Daniel’s vision agrees with the New Testament proclamation of the risen Christ’s exaltation.
Peter Proclaimed the Risen and Exalted Christ
At Pentecost, Peter explained the meaning of what the people were witnessing.
Acts 2:32–36 — KJV
32. “This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.”
33. “Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.”
34. “For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,”
35. “Until I make thy foes thy footstool.”
36. “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
Peter proclaimed a risen and exalted Lord. Jesus had poured out the Holy Ghost, and the events before the audience testified to His exaltation.
The King was reigning from heaven. His rule did not require an earthly palace or a military campaign.
The King of the Kingdom Is the Head of the Church
Paul described Christ’s relationship to the church.
Ephesians 1:22–23 — KJV
22. “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,”
23. “Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.”
The church does not have one sovereign while the kingdom has another. The same exalted Jesus governs His people.
His authority as King and His authority as Head agree perfectly.
We cannot faithfully acknowledge Him as King while disregarding His direction for His church.
Identify the Kingdom
Jesus Corrected Mistaken Expectations
The Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom would come.
Luke 17:20–21 — KJV
20. “And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:”
21. “Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”
We must retain the KJV wording and examine the audience and context.
Jesus was speaking to Pharisees. His answer should not be taken as a declaration that these men had obedient hearts or already enjoyed a saving relationship with Him.
The King Himself stood among them. God’s royal authority was already being demonstrated through His ministry.
Earlier, Jesus had said:
Luke 11:20 — KJV
“But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.”
His works demonstrated divine authority operating in their presence. They needed to recognize the King rather than demand a kingdom conforming to worldly expectations.
The King’s presence and activity during His ministry prepared for the kingdom’s establishment. They do not require us to move the beginning of the church away from the events recorded in Acts 2.
Nor does Luke 17 teach that the kingdom is merely a private feeling. A person’s inward response matters, but the kingdom has an actual King, revealed teaching, identifiable entrance requirements, and people who obey Him.
His Kingdom Is Not of This World
Before His crucifixion, Jesus explained the character of His kingdom to Pilate.
John 18:36 — KJV
“Jesus 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.”
Jesus contrasted His kingdom with kingdoms maintained by worldly force. Its source and authority were heavenly.
This does not mean His kingdom has no people living on earth. Christians live here while belonging to a kingdom whose King rules from heaven.
“Spiritual” does not mean imaginary or without authority. Christ gives real commands and requires real obedience.
Jesus Connected His Church with the Kingdom
Consider the connection in His promise to Peter.
Matthew 16:18–19 — KJV
18. “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
19. “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Jesus promised to build His church and immediately spoke of the keys of the kingdom.
The church and kingdom are connected within the same conversation about His purpose and the authority entrusted to His apostle.
At Pentecost, Peter proclaimed the risen Christ and announced the response required of those seeking forgiveness. The keys did not authorize Peter to invent entrance requirements. He declared the terms given under Christ’s authority.
Christians Were Already in the Kingdom
Paul wrote to Christians at Colosse:
Colossians 1:13–14 — KJV
13. “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:”
14. “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”
Paul did not say these Christians were waiting for a kingdom that did not yet exist. God had already translated them into it.
They had redemption through Christ’s blood and belonged to His kingdom.
John likewise described his present relationship with other Christians.
Revelation 1:9 — KJV
“I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
John was their companion in the kingdom.
The kingdom existed during the apostles’ lifetime, just as Jesus had promised.
The Church and Kingdom Contain the Same Redeemed People
Luke described the saved at Pentecost.
Acts 2:47 — KJV
“Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
Compare the accounts:
- In Acts 2:47, the Lord added saved people to the church.
- In Colossians 1:13–14, people delivered from darkness and forgiven through Christ’s blood were in the kingdom.
These are descriptions of the same saving relationship with Christ.
The connection extends to their purchase.
Acts 20:28 — KJV
“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”
The church was purchased with His blood. Those in the kingdom have redemption through His blood.
There are not two different redeemed populations purchased by two different sacrifices.
The blood-bought church is the kingdom of the Son.
Scripture-Comparison Table: How the Church and Kingdom Correspond
| Point of comparison | The church | The kingdom | How the passages agree |
|---|---|---|---|
| Divine establishment | Christ promised to build His church — Matthew 16:18. | God promised to establish His kingdom — Daniel 2:44. | Both originate in God’s purpose and are established through Christ. |
| Ruler | Christ is Head over all things to the church — Ephesians 1:22–23. | The kingdom belongs to God’s dear Son — Colossians 1:13. | The same Jesus governs the same people. |
| Connection in Jesus’ promise | Jesus announced His church — Matthew 16:18. | He immediately promised the keys of the kingdom — Matthew 16:19. | Jesus joined the descriptions in the same teaching. |
| Establishment at Pentecost | Those receiving the word were baptized and added; the Lord added the saved to the church — Acts 2:41, 47. | The promised power came, and the exalted Christ was proclaimed — Mark 9:1; Acts 1:8; 2:1–4, 32–36. | The promised kingdom and the gathered church appear in the same fulfillment. |
| People belonging to it | The Lord adds the saved to the church — Acts 2:47. | God translates the delivered into His Son’s kingdom — Colossians 1:13–14. | Both descriptions identify people rescued through Christ. |
| Purchase | The church was purchased with His blood — Acts 20:28. | Those in the kingdom have redemption through His blood — Colossians 1:13–14. | The same sacrifice redeems the same people. |
| Entrance | People received the word, were baptized, and were added — Acts 2:38–41, 47. | The new birth is necessary; kingdom preaching led believers to baptism — John 3:5; Acts 8:12. | The gospel does not provide separate entrances into two unrelated bodies. |
| Governing teaching | Christians continued in the apostles’ doctrine — Acts 2:42. | Subjects of the King must act under His authority — Colossians 3:17. | Apostolic instruction expresses Christ’s rule. |
| Unity | Christ’s church is His body, and there is one body — Ephesians 1:22–23; 4:4. | Christians are translated into the kingdom of the one Son — Colossians 1:13. | Scripture presents one united people under Christ. |
| Present existence | The church existed in the apostles’ lifetime — Acts 2:47. | Paul and John described Christians already in the kingdom — Colossians 1:13; Revelation 1:9. | Neither description requires a future earthly establishment. |
The descriptions agree in their establishment, ruler, redeemed people, purchase, entrance, and governing authority.
A kingdom emphasizes the King and His subjects. A body emphasizes the Head and His members. The church identifies the people belonging to Him.
These descriptions do not establish competing religious organizations.
The universal church includes all whom the Lord has added. Individual congregations are local assemblies of Christians; they are not separate kingdoms with independent authority to change the King’s teaching.
Enter through the Gospel
Jesus Requires the New Birth
Jesus told Nicodemus:
John 3:5 — KJV
“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
Physical ancestry, nationality, family religion, and personal sincerity do not supply this entrance.
Jesus identified a birth of water and of the Spirit as necessary. We should compare His teaching with the accounts of people responding to the gospel.
The Gospel Announces Christ’s Saving Work
Paul summarized the gospel he had preached.
1 Corinthians 15:3–4 — KJV
3. “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;”
4. “And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
Entrance into Christ’s kingdom rests upon the crucified and risen King.
The required response includes hearing the gospel, believing in Christ, repenting of sins, confessing Christ, and being baptized into Him. Having entered, Christians must continue faithfully.
Confession must not be omitted.
Romans 10:10 — KJV
“For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
At Pentecost, Peter instructed those who had heard his preaching and recognized their guilt.
Acts 2:38 — KJV
“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.”
Luke recorded their response.
Acts 2:41 — KJV
“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”
They received the word, were baptized, and were added. Acts 2:47 identifies the Lord as the One adding the saved to the church.
They did not first become saved subjects of Christ and later decide whether to join His church. The Lord added the saved to His people.
Philip’s Preaching Confirms the Connection
Acts 8:12 connects Philip’s preaching, the kingdom of God, the name of Jesus Christ, and the baptism of those who believed.
Preaching the kingdom led people to submit to the King.
Philip did not present baptism as unrelated to the kingdom. Nor did he instruct his hearers to wait for a future kingdom before responding.
The Ethiopian’s conversion supplies an explicit example of confessing Christ before baptism in Acts 8:35–39. These accounts agree with the instruction given in Romans 10:10.
Baptism Unites the Believer with Christ’s Death
Romans 6:3–4 — KJV
3. “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?”
4. “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
The believer turns from sin in repentance, confesses Christ, and is buried with Him in baptism into His death, rising to walk in newness of life.
The saving power belongs to Christ and His sacrifice. Baptism is the response He has appointed, not an independent human accomplishment that earns salvation.
The same blood that purchased the church provides redemption for those in the kingdom.
Live under His Rule
Membership Requires Submission to the Head
Being in the kingdom means living under the King’s authority. Being in the church means submitting to the Head.
Paul wrote:
Colossians 3:17 — KJV
“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”
Christ’s authority reaches our teaching, worship, speech, conduct, and relationships.
We learn His will through His commands, approved apostolic examples, and conclusions necessarily established by the passages together. Personal preference does not carry the authority of the King.
Practical aids may help us carry out authorized work. They do not authorize a different work or an addition that changes what Christ directed.
The Church Continued in Apostolic Teaching
Acts 2:42 — KJV
“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
Those added to the church continued in the teaching delivered through Christ’s apostles.
They did not treat entry as the completion of their responsibilities. Their continuing life reflected their allegiance to Christ.
Likewise, the Hebrews writer connected receiving the kingdom with acceptable service.
Hebrews 12:28 — KJV
“Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:”
A kingdom that cannot be moved calls for reverence and faithful service.
One Head Requires One United Body
Ephesians 4:4–6 — KJV
4. “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;”
5. “One Lord, one faith, one baptism,”
6. “One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”
Since the church is Christ’s body, the declaration that there is one body matters.
Religious division does not become authorized simply because different groups acknowledge Jesus’ name. The King has given one faith and requires His people to follow His teaching.
Our responsibility is to belong to His church and remain faithful to its Head.
Look toward Final Glory
Christ Reigns Now and Will Deliver the Kingdom to the Father
Paul explained what will happen at the end.
1 Corinthians 15:24–26 — KJV
24. “Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.”
25. “For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.”
26. “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.”
Paul described the kingdom being delivered to the Father at the end. He did not describe Christ beginning an earthly reign at that point.
Christ reigns while His enemies are being subdued. Death will finally be destroyed.
The kingdom therefore has a present reality and a future consummation. Christians belong to it now and look forward to its everlasting glory.
Present Citizenship Requires Continuing Faithfulness
Peter addressed Christians who needed to continue diligently.
2 Peter 1:10–11 — KJV
10. “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:”
11. “For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
The future entrance described here does not cancel Paul’s statement that Christians had already been translated into the kingdom.
The passages address different stages of the same relationship: belonging to Christ now and receiving the everlasting inheritance through continued faithfulness.
We should retain both truths.
Personal-Examination and Application Table
| Teaching | Question for examination | Faithful application |
|---|---|---|
| Understand the Promise | Have I considered Jesus’ statement that some hearers would live to see the kingdom come with power? | Read Mark 9:1 with Acts 1:8 and Acts 2 rather than separating the promise from its fulfillment. |
| Recognize the King | Do I acknowledge Christ’s present authority in my actual decisions? | Submit to the risen Lord as both King and Head. |
| Identify the Kingdom | Am I treating the church as optional while claiming to belong to the kingdom? | Recognize that the Lord’s saved people constitute His church and kingdom. |
| Enter through the Gospel | Have I followed the revealed response, including repentance, confession, and baptism into Christ? | Examine my response by the conversion accounts and apostolic teaching. |
| Live under His Rule | Do Scripture and Christ’s authority govern my worship, teaching, and conduct? | Continue in apostolic doctrine and distinguish authorized aids from unauthorized additions. |
| Look toward Final Glory | Am I continuing diligently or relying only upon an earlier response? | Remain faithful while looking toward the everlasting inheritance. |
The Connected Biblical Pattern
Understand the Promise → Recognize the King → Identify the Kingdom → Enter through the Gospel → Live under His Rule → Look toward Final Glory.
| Part of the pattern | Supporting passages | Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Understand the Promise | Daniel 2:44; Mark 9:1; Acts 1:8; 2:1–4 | God promised His kingdom, and Jesus connected its coming with power within His hearers’ lifetime. |
| Recognize the King | Daniel 7:13–14; Acts 2:32–36; Ephesians 1:22–23 | The exalted Christ possesses royal authority and governs His church as Head. |
| Identify the Kingdom | Luke 17:20–21; John 18:36; Matthew 16:18–19; Colossians 1:13–14 | The kingdom is spiritual in character, and its redeemed people are Christ’s church. |
| Enter through the Gospel | John 3:5; Romans 10:10; Acts 2:38–41; 8:12; Romans 6:3–4 | People enter through the revealed response to the crucified and risen King. |
| Live under His Rule | Acts 2:42; Colossians 3:17; Hebrews 12:28 | Citizens continue in Christ’s teaching and serve Him acceptably. |
| Look toward Final Glory | 1 Corinthians 15:24–26; 2 Peter 1:10–11 | Christ will deliver the kingdom to the Father, and faithful Christians look toward everlasting glory. |
Conclusion
The kingdom of God is not an unrelated religious body existing alongside Christ’s church.
Jesus promised His church and spoke of the keys of the kingdom. At Pentecost, the exalted Christ was proclaimed, people obeyed the gospel, and the Lord added the saved to the church.
Later, Paul described redeemed Christians as already translated into the kingdom, and John identified himself as their companion in it.
The correlations agree: the same Lord, the same redeemed people, the same purchase through His blood, the same gospel entrance, and the same governing authority.
The church is Christ’s kingdom. Its Head is its King. Its members are His subjects.
Understanding this should change how we regard the church. It belongs to Christ, and He has the authority to direct its teaching and work.
The questions become personal: Have I entered His kingdom through obedience to the gospel? Am I living under His authority? Am I continuing faithfully toward the promised inheritance?
Open the Scriptures. Examine the teaching. Follow what God has revealed.
THAT IS THE BIBLICAL PATTERN.
ALLOW SCRIPTURE TO INTERPRET SCRIPTURE.
The Biblical Pattern
Biblical Studies & Books by Kevin L. Walker
TheBiblicalPattern.com