The Message Of The Bible
What is the primary theme of the New Testament? It is none other than the Gospel of the Kingdom of God! This Gospel (or good news) was first preached by John the Baptist, who cried out in the wilderness of Judaea in order to prepare the way of the Lord: “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2).
Soon afterwards, Jesus Christ the Messiah came on the scene: “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). Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus preached about the Kingdom of God (Luke 4:43). Then, following His resurrection, Jesus spoke to His disciples for forty days of things pertaining to the Kingdom (Acts 1:3). Finally, Jesus commissioned His followers to take the Gospel of the Kingdom to the ends of the earth, saying, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matthew 24:14).
The book of Acts records how the followers of Jesus began to carry out that mission. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, they preached the Kingdom of God with boldness and spread the good news wherever they went. “But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women” (Acts 8:12). Later, the apostle Paul wrote about the Kingdom of God in his letters to the early churches, and also “expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening” (Acts 28:23).
Without a doubt, the Gospel of the Kingdom of God is the central, underlying theme of the New Testament. The Bible says, “The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it” (Luke 16:16). John the Baptist, Jesus, Peter, Paul, and the other apostles truly were pioneers in preaching the Kingdom of God. These men lived and died for the Kingdom; they were fully committed to its advance and passionate about its reality.
After the apostles were martyred, the torch of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) passed on to the next generation of Jesus’ disciples. Many centuries later, the Gospel of the Kingdom still compels true followers of Jesus in our generation to cry out for repentance and preach Jesus Christ, thus preparing the way for the Lord’s second coming.
Thank you for sharing it and explaining it to us Pst, I keep in mind that the Primary theme of the New Testament is the Gospel of God’s Kingdom. That drew my attention and I am wondering what would be the primary theme of the Old Testament…
Is there any main theme for the Old Testament?
@Jefferson The Old and New Testament speaks to the same truth, the truth of God’s Kingdom. The Old Testament, however, speaks more of the King, which is Christ. Jesus as the King, was the one with the authority to announce it’s fulfillment.
Aptly summarised @Phil4krist . Our Lord Jesus said seek ye FIRST, the Kingdom of God and his righteousness;and all these things shall be added unto you.Matthew 6:33 KJV.
The key word there is “first”. Meaning that is the primary thing. When some believers hear the word “kingdom” they tend to ascribe different meanings to it. Some think its only talking about going to heaven or a paradise.Some think its about getting political power on earth and naming a nation, “Christian nation” where everyone is forced to do what the Christians want, like it happened in Rome. Some also see those who emphasize the kingdom as being heretic. But when we look at the scriptures, we see that all the beautiful words and works of Jesus and his disciples were to make known the present kingdom of God in the hearts of men so we willingly surrender to the influence of God’s governing power in our hearts and this will produce righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Every other message has it basis in either bringing in or training believers as citizens, to be in the image of the Christ,and God, who is the head. So the kingdom of God is already here, in our hearts and it is not the rulership of men’s politics but expressed through love,spreading, influencing and taking over people’s hearts for the King of Kings and Lord of lords. Yes, it will be fully revealed on earth when Christ returns but we do experience it now Hallelujah!
Well put together @Michael I am excited as we gear up to spread the new of this Kingdom to the nations.