Updated: Monday, August 7th, 2023
What Did Paul Teach Concerning the Kingdom of God?
Wherever Paul went he was always “disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God” Acts 19:8.
Therefore, it shouldn’t come as any surprise to any Believer that in Ephesus he did a similar thing.
“And 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 19:8).
This means that Paul constantly had to defend the Word of God because many residents and religious folks disagreed with his teachings.
“But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus” (Acts 19:9).
Above, note, what Paul did when some of the people become “hardened” or unbelieving. We should follow him for we should remove ourselves from their presence.
We are not interested in a perspective. There is no point-of-view concerning the Word of God.
Learn Paul’s Perspective on the Kingdom of God
And I’m here making reference to the true Word of God. Either we believe it or we don’t.
“And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.” (Acts 19:10).
Apostle Paul was a very busy man. Over a duration of two years, he and his colleagues taught all the residents of Asia “the word of the Lord Jesus”.
This also means that he moved often from town to town and from city to city. He was a full-time missionary.
“And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul” (Acts 19:11).
Isn’t this interesting? God did special miracles by the hands of Paul. Physically, Paul was responsible for these miracles, but spiritually they happened because God was operating through him.
Friends, remember that God is a Spirit (John 4:24). And because of His nature, He could operate through others but we only need to observe to recognize His presence.
Miracles Defy Reason and Logics But Not Faith
The miracles that the Lord God did through Apostle Paul were of a particular nature, especially those done on his Second Missionary Journey.
They all relate to supernatural healings.
“So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them” (Acts 19:12).
I have seen many Ministers of the Word of God, offer their congregations “handkerchiefs” for the sick to place on ailing parts of their bodies.
None of them yield permanent or credible healings because the Lord God was never operating through them.
If God is not functioning through us, we have no power with Him! Who knew this better than the seven sons of Sceva?
“Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the LORD Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth” (Acts 19:13).
Does the Kingdom of God Know You?
Today, many “Christians” feel that they only need to mention the name, Jesus and they will possess and demonstrate the wonderful power of God.
But the reality of the situation is much farther from this point of view. According to the Scripture above, the sons of Sceva did just that but experienced hurt and shame.
“And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so” (Acts 19:14).
Physically, you may be popular or unknown. However, in the spiritual realm everyone knows you.
All the demons know who you are. And if you have power with the Lord God, they are aware of it too.
On the other hand, if you are powerless, they know that too. The experience of these seven men demonstrate this.
“And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are [you]?” (Acts 19:15).
Only Saying Jesus Does Nothing and Means Nothing!
Understand the tone of this declaration by the evil spirit. He wasn’t proclaiming that he didn’t know these seven men.
In effect, what he was saying is, Paul and Jesus have power with God, but where is yours?
This evil spirit knew that these seven men were powerless despite their use of the name, Jesus.
“And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded” (Acts 19:16).
In a similar manner, I desire that many contemporary “Christians” will recognize that uttering and utilizing the name, “Jesus” without authority and power could be fatal to them.
Every Citizen of the Kingdom of God Must Understand This!
Anytime you decree the name of Jesus ensure that you are a representative of heaven and an ambassador of Jesus Christ.
This means that he sent you to act on his behalf. Therefore, you bear His seal, the Holy Ghost, and you are called by his name.
You can only be called by the name, “Jesus” if you took on that name via water baptism by immersion. There’s no other way to get that name.
And know this brethren, as Christians, all that we do either bring disrepute or glory to the name of Jesus Christ.
“And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified” (Acts 19:17).
And any place where the name, Jesus Christ, is magnified it reveals evil and eradicate it.
Paul’s Obedience Yields This!
“And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds” (Acts 19:18).
All that happen, occur for the glory of his name.
“Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver” (Acts 19:19).
In closing, there is no teaching or preaching the Kingdom of God without the impartation that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
“So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed” (Acts 19:20).
And as we achieve this, we must declare him by name. We must declare who he is and what his advent has accomplished for humanity.
Paul disputed and persuaded the things concerning the Kingdom of God, yet not once did he mention the phrase the “Kingdom of God.
Watch the video for this Bible Study here.
