1. “and we continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine…”
The Church: The Kingdom of God

2. “Kingdom of God”
Anticipated by the Jews (Dan 2:44; Luke 2:25, 36; Luke 23:51)
Jesus’ message (Mark 1:15; Acts 1:3; Matt 13)
Apostles granted authority (Matt 16:18; Acts 2:36-39; Acts 3:18; Acts 10:36; Acts 28:28-31)
Peter held no power over other apostles (Matt 18:1, 18; Gal 1:18-19; 2:8-9; 2:11, 14; 2 Cor 12:11-12)
The church’s realm (Col 1:13; 2 Thess 1:9-10)

3. “Kingdom of God”
Eternal (Dan 2:44; Luke 1:32-33; Heb 12:28; 2 Pet 1:10-11)
Spiritual (John 18:36; Luke 17:20-21)
King reigns from a spiritual realm (1 Pet 3:22)
Subjects have spiritual laws (Heb 8:10; 10:16)
… live on spiritual food (Heb 5:12-14)
… wage war against spiritual powers (Eph 6:12)
… make spiritual sacrifices (1 Pet 2:5)
… await a spiritual home (1 Cor 15:24; 2 Cor 5:1)
Universal (Dan 2:35; Hab 2:14; Matt 13:31-32)

4. “Kingdom of God”
The King’s procedure: you must be born again (John 3:3-5; Acts 8:12; Matt 4:17; cf. 1 Cor 6:9-11)
The King’s will: your command (Matt 7:21; John 18:37)
The King’s return: your hope (Phil 3:20-21; Heb 9:27-28; 1 Cor 15:24; Matt 13:41-43; 47-50)

5. Why aren’t more people interested? Religious governments interfere.
“Kingdom of God”
Why aren’t more people interested?
Religious governments interfere.
Luke 16:16 – Souls are pressing into the kingdom
Luke 11:52 – Leaders withhold its knowledge
Matt 11:12 – Men take it by force
cf. Acts 14:22; 1 Pet 4:17-19

6. Enter the Kingdom of God
Belief in Jesus Christ
John 8:24; 20:30-31; Rom 1:16; 10:9-10
Change of Heart
Luke 24:46-47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30-31
Confession of Faith
Matt 10:32-33; Acts 8:36-38; Rom 10:9-10
Baptism in water – sins forgiven
Matt 28:19; Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38; Rom 6:3-4; 1 Pet 3:21
Obedience
Heb 5:8-9; 1Pet 1:14; Rev 2:10