Preaching the Kingdom of God

Not in Word but in Power

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For two years in Rome, Paul was “preaching the kingdom of God” (Acts 28:31). What is the kingdom of God, and why did Paul preach it?

A kingdom. A kingdom is a place where a king rules. The kingdom of God is wherever God rules as King and people gladly obey Him.

Jesus preached it first. Jesus Himself began by preaching the kingdom of God (Mark 1:14-15).

After He rose. After Jesus rose from the dead, He spent forty days with His followers, “speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3).

Philip preached it. In Samaria, Philip “preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 8:12). The kingdom and the name of Jesus went together.

People believed. “When they believed Philip,” “both men and women were baptized” (8:12). They were baptized after they believed. Baptism shows that a person belongs to Jesus. It does not save anyone; Jesus does.

Paul preached it. In Ephesus Paul spoke boldly “concerning the things of the kingdom of God” (Acts 19:8). In Rome he was still preaching it (28:31).

Not just talk. Paul wrote, “For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power” (1 Corinthians 4:20). God’s kingdom is not only nice words. It is God’s power changing people’s lives.

What that power does. God’s power forgives sin, changes hearts and helps people love and obey Him. Talking about God is good, but God wants to change us.

Brought in. God “has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love” (Colossians 1:13).

The King. Every kingdom has a king. The King of God’s kingdom is Jesus.

A good King. Some kings are cruel and selfish. Jesus is a King who loves His people so much that He gave His life for them.

Everyone invited. In Rome Paul preached the kingdom to “all who came to him” (Acts 28:30). Jesus’ kingdom is open to every person who turns to Him.

The gospel. We have all sinned against the King. But Jesus, the King, died on the cross for our sins and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). When we turn from sin and trust Him, we belong to His kingdom.

What to do. Ask God to show His power in your life this week: to help you forgive, obey and be kind. Thank Jesus that He is your King.

In Rome Paul spent two years “preaching the kingdom of God” (28:31). To understand Paul’s message, we need to know what the kingdom is.

Kerysso. “Preaching” in 28:31 is kerysso (say: kay-ROOS-soh), to proclaim openly, out loud, for all to hear. Paul did not keep the message to himself, even as a prisoner.

Where it began. Jesus Himself began by preaching the kingdom of God (Mark 1:14-15).

Forty days (Acts 1:3). The risen Jesus spent forty days “speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” From the risen Jesus to Paul in Rome, the subject stayed the same.

Kingdom and name (Acts 8:12). “But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.” You cannot preach the kingdom without preaching the King. Baptism followed believing; it pictured a new life, but it does not save. Only Christ saves.

Ephesus (Acts 19:8). Paul spoke boldly for three months “concerning the things of the kingdom of God.” Wherever Paul went, this was his subject.

Power, not talk (1 Corinthians 4:20). “For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.” Some in Corinth were proud of their impressive words. Paul answered that God’s kingdom shows itself in God’s power: sinners forgiven and lives changed.

A transfer. God “has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love” (Colossians 1:13). Entering the kingdom is God’s rescue, not our achievement.

The gospel. Every person has rebelled against the King; that is what sin is. The King Himself died on the cross for rebels and rose again the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). All who repent and believe are brought into His kingdom.

Open to all. Paul announced the kingdom to “all who came to him” (Acts 28:30). Jew and Gentile, prisoner and free, entered the same way: by turning from sin and trusting the King.

Application. Ask whether your faith is only words or whether the King’s power is changing how you live. Bring Him the area of your life you have kept for yourself.

Teaching and Preaching Jesus

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In Rome Paul was “teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence” (Acts 28:31). From the first chapters of Acts to the last, Jesus was the message.

From the start. Every day the apostles taught: “daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ” (Acts 5:42). Cease means stop.

In every house. They taught in the big temple and in ordinary homes. Paul did the same in his rented house in Rome (28:30).

Jesus as the Christ. Christ means the Anointed One, the King God promised. The apostles taught that Jesus is that King.

To the end. At the end of Acts, Paul was doing the same thing: “preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ” (28:31).

Him we preach. Paul wrote to the believers in Colosse, “Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus” (Colossians 1:28). Him means Jesus.

Every person. Paul says “every man” three times in that verse. Everyone needs Jesus: young and old, rich and poor, near and far.

Warning and teaching. Warning means telling people about danger, like the danger of sin. Teaching means helping them understand the truth about Jesus.

Grown-up in Jesus. Perfect here means complete, like a believer who has grown up strong in Jesus. Paul wanted every believer to keep growing.

God’s strength. “To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily” (1:29). Paul worked hard, but God’s power was working in him.

Welcome everyone. In Rome Paul “received all who came to him” (Acts 28:30). Everyone who came heard about Jesus.

Anywhere. The apostles taught in the temple and in homes. Paul taught in a rented house. You can talk about Jesus at your kitchen table, on the playground or at a friend’s house.

The gospel. The things about Jesus are the best news ever told. We have all sinned. Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Everyone who trusts Him is forgiven.

What to do. Learn one true thing about Jesus this week, and share it with someone at home, at school or at church.

Acts closes with Paul “teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence” (28:31). Early in the book the apostles were doing exactly the same.

Didasko. “Teaching” in 28:31 is didasko (say: dih-DAS-koh), to instruct, to explain so that others understand and can follow. Preaching announces the news; teaching explains it.

Daily, in every house (Acts 5:42). “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.” Public places and private homes alike became classrooms.

Jesus as the Christ. The heart of their teaching was a claim about identity: Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, the Anointed One, the King promised to Israel.

The same message. In Jerusalem at the start, the apostles were teaching and preaching Jesus; years later in Rome, Paul was doing the same. The places changed; the message did not.

Him we preach (Colossians 1:28). “Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.” The message is a Person. Paul repeats “every man” three times; no one is outside the reach of the gospel.

The goal. “Perfect” means complete or mature. Paul’s aim was not only that people would hear about Christ, but that they would grow up in Him.

Whose strength (1:29). “To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.” Paul labored hard, yet the energy behind his work was Christ’s, not his own.

An open house. In Rome Paul “received all who came to him” (Acts 28:30). Teaching Jesus and welcoming people went together.

Ordinary places. The temple, “every house,” a rented room in Rome: the gospel moved through ordinary places and ordinary conversations.

The gospel. The things concerning Jesus center on His death and resurrection: “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures” and “He rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). On the cross He bore our sin; whoever trusts Him is forgiven.

Application. Whoever you talk to, Jesus is the message. Learn Him well enough to explain Him clearly, and trust His strength as you do.

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