The Gospel of the Kingdom

In our current dispensation (or “age”) of Grace, the Body of Christ has been steadily growing and flourishing for nearly 2,000 years. If we are aiming to rightly divide the Word of Truth, then which Gospel should apply to believers today? What is the current Gospel that saves? Does the Bible have more then one Gospel?

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

If you are new to Bible study, you might be shocked to learn that there IS actually more than one Gospel!

When was/is the Gospel of the Kingdom “Active”?

The Gospel of the Kingdom was the Gospel of Salvation for the Jews during the period of John the Baptist, through the earthly kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ and continuing after His ascension until the time period of Acts 15.

After the rapture of the Body of Christ, the Gospel of the Kingdom will again be “in effect” throughout the Tribulational period (aka. Daniel’s 70th Week, aka. Jacob’s Trouble).

As we take our first few steps into the Gospel of Matthew (see what I did there?), we are introduced to John the Baptist. He was the herald of the Messiah, and his entire message and ministry was to proclaim the Good News of the coming kingdom:

“In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight. And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan, and were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.” (Matthew 3:1-6)

After John the Baptist was arrested, the Lord Jesus Christ was also proclaiming the message of His coming kingdom:

“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.” (Matthew 9:35)

What Are the Content(s) of the Gospel of the Kingdom?

Preached at the time only to the House of Israel, the Jews, salvation under the gospel of the kingdom required:

• Repentance
• Water Baptism
• Believe that Jesus Christ was the same long foretold Messiah from the entire Old Testament

Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. (Mark 1:14-15)

Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan, and were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. (Matthew 3:5-6)

Shortly after the resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ, this gospel of the kingdom continued to be preached by Peter and the other apostles; notice that repentance, baptism and faith were still all required components:

Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 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 2:36-38)

This gospel message continued through Acts 8, where Philip witnessed to the Ethiopian eunuch on return journey to Ethiopia from Jerusalem:

And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. (Acts 8:34-38)

After Saul was converted on the road to Damascus, he went to the house of Judas (not THAT Judas) where he stayed until he recovered from blindness. When visited by Annanias to recover his sight, Luke records:

“And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. (Acts 8:18-20)

Saul was saved under the Kingdom program, so baptism was essential. He then proceeded “straightway” to the synagogues where he preached that Jesus Christ IS the Son of God.

Summary

• Proclaimed by: John the Baptist, Jesus and the Twelve
• Proclaimed to: To the Jews only
• Requirements: Repentance, water baptism, and faith + works
• Content of Gospel: Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, recorded throughout the entire Old Testament
• Gospel Begins: Began with John the Baptizer, and stopped at the time of Acts 15. Will resume after the Rapture
• Gospel Fulfilled: Originally ended in Jewish unbelief. Will resume after the Body of Christ is completed. Will end in Jewish belief and fulfills the “Great Commission” of Matthew 28 and future prophecy.

The “Gospel of the Kingdom” was proclaimed by John the Baptizer, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Twelve. It was the “good news” of the coming kingdom and required repentance, baptism, and faith that Jesus was the prophesied Messiah. It was proclaimed by Jews to Jews only (with a couple of exceptions such as the Canaanite woman (Matthew 15.21-28) and the Roman centurion (Matthew 8.5-13). This gospel failed due to Jewish unbelief. But God will reinstate it after He completes the Church, the Body of Christ (at the Rapture). A future generation of Jews (John 10.16) will embrace and believe it and fulfill Romans 11.26. In the meantime, our gospel is the “gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20.24; 1 Corinthians 15.1-4).