I remember talking to a Christian ministry leader when I first started training for church work who told me, “You know, I’m really more of a kingdom Christian than a church Christian.”
And although this statement hit me wrong, I couldn’t articulate why at the time of hearing it. Since then, I have noticed a dangerous and growing trend among Christians, especially charismatic “kingdom-minded” Christians. A false dichotomy has been created and we are hurting ourselves and the cause of Christ by not getting these things right.
I submit that you can’t participate in the kingdom of God in this age (at least fully) apart from the church.
“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.””
Matthew 16:18-19 NIV
It’s the church that receives the “keys of the kingdom” from our Lord Jesus. If you don’t have keys to something then you don’t have access. Jesus explicitly links the church with the operation of the kingdom of God. From my study, many scholars and teachers believe this to be one of the most foundational passages to our understanding of both the church and the kingdom of God. It’s apparent from this passage (and many others in the NT) that an unhelpful and even dangerous separation has been created in the minds of many Christians.
Over the past several years I’ve heard people make comments contrasting the church and the kingdom. To those who embrace this faulty separation the church is seen as an institution. It’s a lifeless place of formalities and dead religion. The church is the building. The church at best does necessary work, but not the exciting and cutting edge work. The church is a place of form but not a place of power.
Whereas, those with this view also tend to think of the kingdom of God as the exciting place where all the good stuff happens like street evangelism, miracles, healing, casting out demons, supernatural phenomena, etc. Or in some current trends, the kingdom of God is where elections are won and nations are conquered by Christian leaders. Or perhaps some kingdom focused Christians believe that all the good stuff happens in the marketplace, business and so-called “kingdom wealth building.”
What is the church? The Greek word used in the New Testament for church is ekklēsia and it means a gathering or assembly. It was not originally used as a spiritual word only but also used of other gatherings or assemblies of leaders. In the Bible it is used to define the gathering of Christians together for worship and ministry. The church is explained through many examples and pictures in the Bible as the family of God (Ephesians 3:15), the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:25-32, Revelation 21-22), the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12), God’s building (1 Corinthians 3:9), the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:17), etc.
What is the kingdom? The Greek word used in the New Testament for kingdom is basileia and it means royal power, kingship, rule or dominion. Another way we can look at the word kingdom is to look at the two parts of the word: “king” and “dom.” Or in other words, the kingdom is the King’s domain. I am a citizen of the USA and so when I am in my home country, I am under the domain of our government. When I cross a border to Canada or Mexico, I am then under the domain or rule of a different government. The kingdom of God is expressed wherever God has rulership.
We see this expressed in several ways in the New Testament and often different groups emphasize different aspects of the kingdom of God. Pentecostals, revivalists and charismatics often emphasize the power of the kingdom of God for healing and miracles (Luke 10:9, 1 Corinthians 4:20). The baptists and evangelicals often emphasize the return of Jesus, the end times and the consummation of the kingdom (Revelation 12:10). The contemplative and mystic Christians will often focus on the attitude and heart of the internal rule of the Holy Spirit in establishing kingdom values like righteousness, peace and joy in the individual believer (Romans 14:17). The social justice Christians emphasize the kingdom of God meeting the needs of the poor and the oppressed (Luke 4:18-19). The 7 mountain Christians, post-millennial or reconstructionist believers focus on how the kingdom of God is to influence different parts of culture and society now (Luke 13:20).
The truth is that all of the above groups and emphasis on the kingdom of God have some Biblical basis and value for us. When God reigns or where His rule is manifest there is forgiveness of sin, healing, the overthrowing of evil and injustice, people are fed, systems are blessed, order comes and eventually when Jesus establishes the fullness of His kingdom at the end of all time, death is over and life lasts forever.
Common misunderstandings about the connection with the church and the kingdom of God.
“I don’t go to one church, I go to several because I am more of a kingdom Christian.” Many Christians like the worship at one church, the teaching at another, the small groups at another and the kids program at even another. What you mean is you are not committed to one local church but you just sample from several churches where you can’t fully gather, serve and give at one church. This is not necessarily a heart for the kingdom, but a consumer mindset that sees the church as a place for me to get or receive what I like without committing to one place. There is certainly a value for the universal or invisible church that we should have but every believer is called to a local church to be committed in a visible expression of the church.
“I don’t belong to the church, but to the ekklēsia.” I’ve been hearing that certain so-called “kingdom” Christian groups or teachers have been creating a false split between the church and the ekklesia, which is super bizarre because that’s like saying there is a difference between the church and the church (since as you read above the ekklesia is just the Greek word for church). This boarders on a gnostic heresy from the early church that the Apostles Paul and John were warning against where false teachers were teaching that they had special insights that you could only receive from them. God is not into elitism or things that are exclusive to only select groups or leaders. I’ve heard different Christians talk about how these ekklesias are like special kingdom outposts that do the real elite work of God. Of course these ekklesia’s study the Bible, worship, pray, disciple people, etc. which is just what a church does but somehow it means something special with using the Greek name.
“I’m in the kingdom of God so I don’t have to go to the church.” This statement would not have made any sense to the apostles and writers of the New Testament. It would not be possible to be a follower of Jesus in the time of the apostles and not participate in the life of the church. Baptism was not only a personal decision but also an entrance into the body of Christ. You cannot be faithful to the instructions written to Christians to gather, serve one another, encourage one another, sing to one another, greet one another, etc. if you don’t participate in the gathering of the saints. And ultimately as I started with, you don’t get to participate in kingdom authority without the keys if you reject the church.
Should churches be more kingdom focused? YES! It’s the main thing that Jesus taught on.
Do people have to go to a traditional church? Not necessarily, but everyone should go to a Biblical church.
I’ve been hurt by the church, what about me? I’ve been hurt in the church deeply but it’s also been the place of my greatest healing. You may need a new church and/or support. The church can be a burden when toxic leadership and culture is practiced but it is a blessing as she follows the ways of our Lord and the apostles.
So, I can’t do any kingdom work unless I’m in church? No, of course you can pray for the sick, feed the hungry, share your faith or cast out a demon outside of a church gathering.
So, what are you saying then? I’m saying don’t separate what God does not separate. We must depart from unbiblical ideas that don’t produce good fruit. Don’t be charmed by special teachings or revelations that contradict the simple truth and clear meaning of God’s Word. God is not ever done with His church, His bride. If you love what God loves, then you will give your life not only to Christ but to His bride, whom He gave everything. Find a church, commit to it, serve it and bless it. Help fill in the church what is lacking with your gifts, calling and love.
Why is it important to get the connection between the kingdom and the church right? It is necessary to understand the importance of the both the kingdom of God and the church. People have created new and novel ideas about how we participate in the kingdom of God and the church. These Biblical ideas and realities of both the kingdom and the church are not at odds with one another and the two should be integrated.
We are losing churches in America at a record pace as people have forsaken the call to gather and build churches that can influence our culture. Churches are to be a beachhead for the kingdom of God. Strong churches will extend God’s kingdom under the rule of Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit. Kingdom minded Christians that love the church will do great works for God in cities and nations that should cooperate with and expand the church.
The kingdom and the church are like the greatest combination of all time, surpassing peanut butter and jelly, Tom and Jerry, Batman and Robin and Mickey and Minnie. How we live out our faith corporately matters for the destiny of our lives, cities and nations. The church is God’s great idea so let’s not pit it against the kingdom of God.