Baptist History, Heritage and Distinctives – Historic & Scriptural Baptist Position Concerning the Kingdom of God – PART FOUR of NINE
August 6, 2019
Baptist History, Heritage and Distinctives – Historic & Scriptural Baptist Position Concerning the Kingdom of God
PART FOUR – Executors
The Present Kingdom – #2
Ancient Baptist writers attested to their understanding of this important truth. They knew that the Lord appointed His kingdom to His church (Luke 22:29) and that they were to continue faithfully as its executor. This was much to the disdain of Protestants, however, who have always (necessarily) believed the kingdom is to be set up in the future. Their version of the kingdom was to come into being as the fruit of their righteous efforts. For many, this coincided with a post-millennial eschatology. They believed that a Christian government and Christian society would affect the world for good. This would then usher the Lord to take His seat in that kingdom. Some popular Protestant teachers today cite a futuristic 10 toes of Daniel, presuming the Lord will set up His kingdom when their time is through. The Lord evidently did not consult with them when he said” And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” (Matthew 11:12) The point here is that the Kingdom was set up already by the Lord. It was visible and operational within a nation that had rejected its King and continues today in the midst of a crooked and perverse world.
The Lord Jesus Christ appointed the executorship of the kingdom to His church when He instituted the Lord’s Table. “And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;” (Luke 22:29). This church has been given authority to bind and loose, (Matthew 18:18) and to operate according to the laws and ordinances of its Founder. It was commissioned to replicate itself with the promise of perpetuity with Him unto the end of the world (Mathew 28:20).
Therefore, the New Testament church was appointed to be the executor of the kingdom. The sole duty of an executor is to carry out the will of the one who appointed it. The executor does not create a will. They can only carry it out. This is as any executive that is appointed to carry out the laws and ordinances placed in their trust and safeguard. The church was not appointed to codify its own doctrines or traditions. It is to adhere faithfully to that which we received in the word of God.
(PRESENT KINGDOM to be continued)
Thomas E. Kresal from: “The Mystical Invisible Universal Church” by Les Potter, Chapter 3 pg. 25-33
Book is available at a very reasonable price : www.localchurchbiblepublishers.com
NOTE from Tom: This is a nine part series and I would ask that you please read every segment before you attack the Biblical, age old doctrine held by Baptists through the centuries. Many a Baptist has unwittingly been taught Protestant theology (including yours truly) and I understand the desire to defend your position (been there done that). Please keep in mind “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.” (Proverbs 18:13)
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