Teaching Acts in Prison: Part 3, The Kingdom Comes

Okay, so the point of Acts is the kingdom of God, the Lordship and reign of Jesus being established on earth and throughout the world. That is the gospel proclamation in the books of Acts, the "good news" of the Ascension of Jesus to the right hand of God.

But what does this look like? Where in Acts do we see the kingdom?

We see the kingdom in two early passages, in Acts 2 and 4:

Acts 2.42-47
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Acts 4.32-3632
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.

When we ask,"What's the point of the Ascension of Jesus?" or "What does it mean to confess Jesus as Lord?" these two passages answer the question. In fact, I'd argue that the entire Bible has been leading up to these two passages. I'd argue that these two passages are the climax of the entire Bible.

Here, finally, at long last, is the kingdom of God established on earth as it is in heaven. Here in Acts we see what the Law, prophets and four gospels were pointing toward. This is what it looks like to see Jesus ruling over his kingdom people.

This community, the existence of this community, is the gospel, the rule of God upon the earth.