The Eight Kingdom Texts in Acts

[Marilyn C]

Tradition has them going to Jews and non-Jews and we find Jesus and the disciples speaking with non-Jews in scripture. What was he, and what were they, speaking to non-Jews about if not the kingdom?




Aren’t the disciples promised by the Lord to reign with him in the kingdom?

Yes, Jesus and the disciples taught about the kingdom rule of God to come. However, we as the Body of Christ have the rule of the Lord in our lives already.

The 12 disciples will rule over the 12 tribes of Israel. We will rule over all on Christ`s throne in the third heaven.

 

[Matthias]

If I’m understanding you correctly @Marilyn C, you’re saying that Jesus’ words, his message, his gospel of the kingdom isn’t for Gentiles. Is that correct?

 

[Marilyn C]

Would you say then that there is more than one gospel?

There is the good news that Jesus preached to Israel and then when Jesus ascended to the Father and was made Head of the Body then He gave further revelation of His purposes - that now He is building and maturing His Body to rule with Him in the highest.

 

[Matthias]

Yes, Jesus and the disciples taught about the kingdom rule of God to come. However, we as the Body of Christ have the rule of the Lord in our lives already.

The 12 disciples will rule over the 12 tribes of Israel. We will rule over all on Christ`s throne in the third heaven.

The followers of Jesus are divided from another? One group (comprised of Gentiles) in heaven and one group (comprised of Jews) on earth?

One group is the body of Christ and the other group is not the body of Christ?

 

[Matthias]

There is the good news that Jesus preached to Israel and then when Jesus ascended to the Father and was made Head of the Body then He gave further revelation of His purposes - that now He is building and maturing His Body to rule with Him in the highest.

Is that one gospel or two gospels?

 

[Marilyn C]

If I’m understanding you correctly @Marilyn C, you’re saying that Jesus’ words, his message, his gospel of the kingdom isn’t for Gentiles. Is that correct?

Yes, it was for Israel who would then rule over the Gentiles in the millennium. In the trib, the message of the kingdom rule of God through Israel was coming. That is what the 144,000 priests of Israel will speak about and also the 2 witnesses.

 

[Marilyn C]

The followers of Jesus are divided from another? One group (comprised of Gentiles) in heaven and one group (comprised of Jews) on earth?

Actually, the Body of Christ (Jews and Gentiles) and even the nation of Israel, (Jews) has some Gentiles in it. Then the nations (gentiles) will be blessed in the millennium when the kingdom rule of God rules through Israel over the nations, righteously.

 

[Marilyn C]

Is that one gospel or two gospels?

One revelation of God`s purpose and then a further revelation of God`s purpose. It is not one against the other but a fuller understanding of ALL God`s purpose for Israel, the Nations and the body of Christ.

 

[Marilyn C]

Okay. Thanks.

I’m grafted into Israel. I’m looking to Jesus and seeking the kingdom.

And where does scripture say you are grafted into Israel, please?

 

[Matthias]

Yes, it was for Israel who would then rule over the Gentiles in the millennium. In the trib, the message of the kingdom rule of God through Israel was coming. That is what the 144,000 priests of Israel will speak about and also the 2 witnesses.

Thanks. I think I’ve gained a pretty good understanding of your position now.

***

Readers should think carefully about this:

Jesus’ words are only for the Jews? Jesus’ words aren’t for his non-Jewish audience? Don’t listen to Jesus preach the gospel of the kingdom unless you are a Jew?

Those are important questions, both for Jews and non-Jews.

 

[Marilyn C]

Thanks. I think I’ve gained a pretty good understanding of your position now.

***

Readers should think carefully about this:

Jesus’ words are only for the Jews? Jesus’ words aren’t for his non-Jewish audience? Don’t listen to Jesus preach the gospel of the kingdom unless you are a Jew?

Those are important questions, both for Jews and non-Jews.

All of God`s word is for us to read and learn from. We learn of Christ`s character and His purposes for the Nations, for Israel and for the Body of Christ.

To read God`s word as all about US is incorrect. We are not the center of God`s word, Christ is and His purposes.

 

[Matthias]

And where does scripture say you are grafted into Israel, please?

I had Romans 11 in mind.

 

[Marilyn C]

I had Romans 11 in mind.

Thank you for that reply. So let`s look at those scriptures.

`For if the first-fruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.
And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them become partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree.` (Rom. 11: 16 & 17)

The root is holy, nourishes and supports us. That is Christ NOT Israel.

 

[Matthias]

All of God`s word is for us to read and learn from.

But the gospel that Jesus and the apostles preached isn’t directed to gentiles, I’ve surmised from your comments.

We learn of Christ`s character and His purposes for the Nations, for Israel and for the Body of Christ.

Yes.

To read God`s word as all about US is incorrect. We are not the center of God`s word, Christ is and His purposes.

Scripture, in my view, is all about God and us.

 

[Matthias]

Thank you for that reply. So let`s look at those scriptures.

`For if the first-fruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.
And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them become partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree.` (Rom. 11: 16 & 17)

The root is holy, nourishes and supports us. That is Christ NOT Israel.

In my theology, the Messiah (Jesus of Nazareth) is the ideal Israelite.

 

[Marilyn C]

But the gospel that Jesus and the apostles preached isn’t directed to gentiles, I’ve surmised from your comments.



Yes.



Scripture, in my view, is all about God and us.

God did not make an oops when He made the nations and Israel. God`s word is about His purpose for Christ, the nations, Israel and the Body of Christ. We are only a part of all that not the center.

 

[Marilyn C]

In my theology, the Messiah (Jesus of Nazareth) is the ideal Israelite.

He is also head of the Body.

 

[Matthias]

God did not make an oops when He made the nations and Israel. God`s word is about His purpose for Christ, the nations, Israel and the Body of Christ. We are only a part of all that not the center.

It is also about his purpose for mankind. Isn’t it?

 

[Marilyn C]

It is also about his purpose for mankind. Isn’t it?

Yes.

 

[Matthias]

He is also head of the Body.

Yes. That’s one of the reasons I don’t see an un-united body - one group in heaven and one group on earth. I see the entire body physically with him when he returns to the earth.

I also see God as the head of Messiah. Do you?