Our Citizenship is in the Kingdom of God Part 2

Citizens of the Kingdom of God have direct access to our King Jesus

Our Citizenship

The Church is a nation.

Acts 15:13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: 14 Simeon (Simon Peter) hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

God’s church comes from many nations.

The church is not the Kingdom but rather the fruit of the Kingdom.

Often the best people to evangelize any nation is usually nationals from that country.

The church of Jesus Christ is multinational and together we form a new nation.

God has called out his church (ekklésia) to serve his Kingdom.

The value of Citizenship in the Roman/Greek Empires

Acts 22:26 When the centurion heard that, he went and told the commander, saying, “Take care what you do, for this man is a Roman." 27 Then the commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?” He said, “Yes.” 28 The commander answered, “With a large sum I obtained this citizenship.” And Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.” 29 Then immediately those who were about to examine him withdrew from him; and the commander was also afraid after he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.

Paul states his Roman citizenship repeatedly in Acts of the Apostles. When he does, the reactions of those around him are very telling. When Paul and Silas are released from prison in Acts 16, Paul declares that both he and Silas are Roman citizens. Paul says that the magistrates “have beaten us in public, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and now are they going to discharge us in secret? Certainly not! Let them come and takes us out themselves!” When Paul’s words are relayed to the magistrates “they were afraid when they heard that [Paul and Silas] were Roman citizens; so [the magistrates] came and apologized to them.” Similarly, when Paul is accused of bringing gentiles into the Temple and arrested, he tells the Roman tribune of his citizenship. Paul is about to be flogged and had been “tied…up with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, ‘Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who is uncondemned?’” The centurion fetched the tribune who “asked Paul, ‘Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?’ And [Paul] said, ‘Yes.’” The tribune, still suspicious, states that “it cost [him] a large sum of money to get [his] citizenship.” Paul, however, states that he was “born a citizen.” The reaction among the Romans was instant. “Immediately, those who were about to flog [Paul] drew back from him; and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him.” Roman Citizens were of remarkably high status and had various privileges, the highest of which was the right to appeal to Caesar in person! You could even say the right to speak to Caesar! Paul did eventually appeal to Caesar.

Citizens of the Kingdom of God

NIV Philippians 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

                                          versus

KJV Philippians 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

             Phil 3:20 citizenship/conversation = politeuma

When we were born again, we immediately had citizenship of the Kingdom of God/Heaven conferred on us. What a privilege!

Although the NIV is more accurate for this verse, it is interesting the KJV of Philippians 3:20 reflects well our ability to speak to our King- King Jesus.

We can appeal to King Jesus as part of our Kingdom rights and come boldly into the holy of holies in time of trouble!

Proof that the Church is a Nation

Here are 3 pieces of evidence that the Church is a nation.

1.    It has a king: King Jesus

2.    It has a capital city: Revelation 21:2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. It was prepared like a bride dressed for her husband.

Galatians 4:26 but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all.

3.    All born again believers have citizenship in the Kingdom as in Philippians 3:20.

Amen

Personal Prayer

In Part 3 we explore the believer’s status in the Kingdom of God