Page 101 - TH130 Kingdom of God A4 Final

Life in the Kingdom

New Testament (120 times in the Gospels). When Jesus sent out the
disciples, He instructed them, “As you go, preach this message: ‘The
kingdom of heaven is near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those
who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give”
(Matthew 10:6–8). Life in the kingdom involves generously sharing the
blessings of the King with others.

A Kingdom of Spiritual Power

Paul wrote that “the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power”
(1 Corinthians 4:20). Before Jesus returned to heaven, “He appeared to
[His disciples] over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom
of God” (Acts 1:3). What kingdom truths did Jesus speak about during
those 40 days? We find out in the next five verses:

On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this
command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father
promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized
with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time
going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for
you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you
will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to
the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:4–8)

Jesus taught His disciples that one can personally experience the power
of the kingdom of God when he or she is baptized in the Holy Spirit. It is
power enough to preach the gospel to the ends of the earth.

A Glimpse of Life in the Kingdom
What does this Kingdom life look like when it is put into practice? Luke
gives us a glimpse of Kingdom life in the New Testament church soon
after the outpouring of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost:

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the
fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was
filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were
done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had
everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they

::: 93 :::