The word church is mentioned only a few times in the Gospels, but the word Kingdom is used over 100 times. The King (Jesus) comes first. Than His Kingdom. Next His Church. The simplest definition of church can be found in Matthew 18:19-20:
“Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”
And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” – Matthew 16:17-19
Among the early followers of Jesus they were known by the love they had for one another. In Acts 2:44-47 we are given insight into what “church” looked like. “And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
Acts 2:42:
“They were continually devoting themselves to the 1) apostles’ teaching and to 2) fellowship, to the 3) breaking of bread and to 4) prayer.”
This was part of the cause for the explosion. It was clear. It was simple. It was powerful. As religion immediately made attempts to improve upon what the Spirit was doing, it became more and more cumbersome to experience authenticity. Jesus calls us to engage Him with a Pure (humbled) Heart. This in-turn allows us to Know God which will ensure we choose to Do Kindness. This will allow us to participate in Growing Life all around us. This is the Kingdom circle of life.
We encourage you to search for One New Man 1 and One New Man 2 at Fourthstream.com. It will help as you learn to view the entire Bible as Jesus-Centric and as a Kingdom story from which the Bride of Christ (the church) is emerging. Enjoy – we are blessed to be included for sure!
Dave and Burnadette
