The Church of God, also referred to as the congregation of God, is not an institution or a building. In the Apostolic Creed, we profess our belief in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church (in some versions, “the holy catholic church”) and the communion of saints. These are inseparably linked: the Christian Church is the community of true believers called together by the Holy Spirit, whose members share a special “communion of saints”. Thus, it is not the Church that creates communion among believers, but rather the communion of believers that creates the Church.
But what is the relationship between the Church and the Kingdom of God that Jesus taught about? How can the Kingdom of God be perceived or recognized? And what does the Holy Spirit have to do with all this? This article explores key concepts in Christianity: the Kingdom of God, the Christian church, and the work of the Holy Spirit—and above all, how a person can be saved.
The Kingdom of God – the only real kingdom
It is sometimes said, philosophically, that sovereign states – just like money, organizations, or businesses – are merely a collective illusion. They only exist because we believe in them. However, despite the fact that Pakistan, the euro, the United Nations, or Samsung exist only in our collective imagination, we have no difficulty understanding their existence because they have many visible manifestations, such as a flag, headquarters, or a concrete product.
The only real kingdom in the universe is the kingdom of God, which has none of these characteristics. The kingdom of God is made up of people, just like any other country, but it has no geographical borders, currency, or parliament. Its borders run from the heart of one believer to the heart of another, and both living and deceased believers dwell in that kingdom. The kingdom of God is real because it is ruled by Almighty God, and it will not disappear when the world ends, unlike other kingdoms.
Jesus explained that the kingdom of God cannot be recognized by external signs. In the Gospel of Luke, he says:
“The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.” (Luke 17:20-21)
Nor is the kingdom of God automatically present in all places where there are churches, congregations, or people who identify themselves as Christians. The kingdom of God is present where there is even one person who has living faith and carries God’s peace within them. To enter this kingdom, a person must be born from above, that is, receive the gift of faith from God. Jesus said to a man named Nicodemus:
“Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again [or born from above].” (John 3:3)
Rebirth occurs through hearing and believing in the forgiveness of sins. A reborn person sees with eyes opened by faith that the kingdom of God has come near to him and that he has entered it through God’s grace and the power He has given him.
The true Christian Church– a visible and invisible community of believers
The Church of God and the Kingdom of God are different things, but they are closely related. God’s eternal kingdom can be found in his earthly church.
The church is both visible and invisible. The visible church is the group of people we see gathering together to hear God’s word and its interpretation, and who participate in the Lord’s Supper. The invisible church, on the other hand, refers to those who belong to God but do not gather together with the visible church. This group includes all children who are born with saving faith, as well as those who have passed from this life into eternity as believers.
The reformer Martin Luther described the Christian church as a community of believers whom the Holy Spirit has called and gathered together, to whom He reveals the word of God and whom He protects in the one true faith. Seen from the outside, God’s church may seem just like any ordinary, even insignificant group of people. Under the influence of the Holy Spirit, its inhabitants, believers, see it as a holy community with Christ as its “head” (Ephesians 5:23).
The Bible uses several names for the church, such as “God’s people,” “God’s family,” or “the body of Christ.” The apostle Paul writes:
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27)
Paul’s analogy illustrates the deep connection that believers have with Christ and with each other. Living faith connects a person both to Christ and to his church, which are inseparable. An individual believer may err in spiritual matters, but God’s church does not err because the Holy Spirit is at work in it. Paul calls the church “the pillar and foundation of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15). That is saying a lot.
The role and function of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the power that works faith in accordance with God’s word. Without the Holy Spirit, no one can believe in Jesus or understand God’s word correctly. A word written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit can only be understood when read under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit does not act arbitrarily, but always in accordance with God’s word. Only through the influence of the Holy Spirit can a person be born again and receive faith. However, faith does not come directly from God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit. Faith comes from hearing—from hearing the gospel preached by a believer:
“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” (Romans 10:17)
When a person hears the gospel, that is, the forgiveness of sins in the name and blood of Jesus, the Holy Spirit can work in him so that he is able to receive it with faith and have his sins forgiven. Through the faith they receive in forgiveness, people can belong to Christ, who unites them with other true believers through the bonds of love. People who have received the grace of repentance are thus connected through their own newly born faith to the common faith and the true Christian church—the community of saints.
The particularly strong bond between believers is inspired by the Holy Spirit. Believers are like branches that receive their life and strength from the trunk, that is, from Christ. If the connection to the trunk is broken, the branch withers. This connection is not only between the individual and God, but it also connects believers to each other: “in one faith, one mind, and one understanding.” Jesus said:
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
Elsewhere, Jesus says that this connection, inspired by the Holy Spirit, manifests itself as mutual love and care (John 13:35). It does not arise from human goodness, but is a gift from God and “the fruit of the Spirit.” Members of the church carry each other in prayer and support each other in the difficulties of life. The Bible exhorts believers:
“…encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14)
Martin Luther emphasized correct doctrine as the hallmark of a true Christian church: where God’s word is preached purely and where the sacraments are administered correctly, there is God’s people. The Word of God is its highest authority. It is the foundation upon which pure Christian doctrine is built. Paul taught that the church is built “on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” (Ephesians 2:20)
Missionary work – a call to all nations
God’s church has a special mission: to spread the message of God’s kingdom. Jesus commanded his followers to do missionary work and preach the gospel to all people. Mission work is not meant to be solely an organized activity; every believer is called to witness to Christ’s grace in their daily lives. The apostle Peter encouraged Christians:
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15)
The kingdom of God and the church of God exist so that every seeking person may find the way to the Father. Although God calls people in many ways, He forgives sins and grants eternal life in only one way: through His church, where the gospel of forgiveness is proclaimed. This call is for everyone, because God wants to save every person and bring them into fellowship with him.
Author: Kingdom of Peace
Image: Credits: SRK