Jan 1989 - Q & A

Acts 14:22. "Through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God". But had not the disciples referred to already entered that kingdom?

Churches of God result from people obeying the teaching concerning the kingdom of God (Acts 19:8; 20:27-28). In one sense, therefore, addition to a church of God and entering the kingdom of God are equivalent terms. Thus, the disciples in the churches of God referred to in Acts 14:22,23 had entered into the kingdom, not simply as an automatic or irrevocable result of their new birth but as a result of their obedience to the teaching of the apostles (see Acts 2:4142 and Rom. 6:17).

However, the term "entering into" is not limited to a single event at a point in time. For instance, we talk of entering into an activity as a way of describing a developing interest. Likewise, it is best understood in the verse in question as that continuing experience of believers who by faithful separation to the rule of God show themselves to be His subjects. Use of the term "entering into" in this way is not unlike the thought in Hebrews 4:11, concerning entering into the "sabbath rest for the people of God". Diligence and suffering will be involved, as adequately demonstrated by the Thessalonian disciples (Acts 17: 4-9; 2 Thes. 1:4-5; 2 Tim. 3:12).

unknown | Jan 1989
Question And Answer