The Kingdom of God Not Yet In Existence, But To Be Established Visibly On The Earth At A Future Day, continued

The ministers and clergy of the present day believe that they preach the gospel in setting before the people the death of Christ. The death of Christ, in its sacrificial import, doubtless becomes an element in the apostolic testimony of the gospel; but in considering whether this was the whole gospel of first century preaching, we must remember that Christ and his disciples preached the gospel three years before the crucifixion. Not only so, but we have evidence that the apostles, while so engaged--while they "went through the towns, preaching the gospel" (Luke 9v 6)--were not aware that Christ had to suffer. Christ told his disciples that he should "suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day" (Luke 9v 22); but it is said, "They understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not" (Luke 9v 45). The fact that, while in this state of ignorance concerning the sufferings of Christ, they "preached the gospel," is proof of the most positive character that the gospel, as preached by them, must have been something very different from the gospel of modern times, which consists exclusively of the death of Christ on the cross. The difference is manifest in the foregoing testimonies, which tell us they preached "THE KINGDOM OF GOD."

The following passages prove that the Kingdom of God was also preached by the apostles after Christ's death, resurrection, and ascension, and that it, therefore, continues a valid and essential element of the gospel to this day :--

"But when they (the Samaritans) believed Philip PREACHING THE THINGS CONCERNING THE KINGDOM OF GOD, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptised, both men and women" (Acts 8v 12).

"He went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading THE THINGS CONCERNING THE KINGDOM OF GOD" (Acts 19v 8).

"He expounded and testified THE KINGDOM OF GOD, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets" (Acts 28v 23).

"And received all that came in unto him, preaching THE KINGDOM OF GOD, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 28v 30, 31).

"Among whom I (Paul) have gone PREACHING THE KINGDOM OF GOD" (Acts 20v 25).

NOW, Paul was exceedingly zealous that the same gospel which he himself preached, should continue to be preached to the end of the world. "If an angel from heaven," said he, "preach any other gospel than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed" (Gal. 1v 8). Hence the gospel, of which he said it was the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth (Rom. 1v 16), embraces the doctrine of the Kingdom of God, whatever that may be; for he himself continually preached it to both Jews and Gentiles.