Faith for Dominion in the Kingdom of God
The concept of "dominion in the Kingdom of God" intertwines the ideas of divine rule, human responsibility, and the role of faith. The Kingdom of God, proclaimed by Jesus, signifies God's active reign and is characterized by righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit [1, 6]. This kingdom is not merely a future hope but is also present, requiring a response of repentance and belief in the Gospel [1].
From a theological perspective, Christ exercises his royal authority in various spheres, often referred to as his "kingdom of power," encompassing all power in heaven and on earth [5]. This universal dominion is rooted in God's original purpose for humanity, as described in Psalm 8:6, where all things were placed under man's feet, signifying a delegated dominion over creation [5, 9]. This initial dominion was part of the image of God with which humanity was invested [9].
However, the Kingdom of God also has a spiritual aspect, consisting of those who are truly and inwardly Christ's people [7]. Entrance into this spiritual kingdom requires childlike faith and dependence on God [10]. This faith is not merely intellectual assent but involves a sincere belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Savior, coupled with cordial submission to Him as prophet, priest, and king, and supreme love [7].
The nature of dominion within this spiritual kingdom is distinct from worldly power. The apostle Paul emphasizes that "the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost" [6]. This suggests that true dominion within God's kingdom is characterized by spiritual qualities rather than outward observances or earthly authority [6]. John Gill, commenting on 1 Corinthians 4:20, explains that the Kingdom of God is not attained by mere words or profession, but "in" or "by power," referring to the power of the Holy Spirit [8].
The prophetic books, such as Daniel, speak of an enduring kingdom and dominion belonging to God, which "shall not be destroyed" and "shall be even to the end" [2]. Daniel also foretells a time when "the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High" [4]. This prophecy is interpreted by some to mean that the dominion taken from antichristian states will be given to God's people, with Christian princes ruling everywhere [4].
The question of dominion also touches upon the relationship between believers and unbelievers. Thomas Aquinas considered whether unbelievers could have authority or dominion over the faithful. He argued that establishing such dominion for the first time "ought by no means to be allowed," as it could provoke scandal and endanger faith, given that subjects are easily influenced by their superiors [3]. This highlights a concern for the spiritual well-being and protection of the faithful within the context of authority.
Sources
- Mark “Mark 1:15 (Geneva1599) — And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdome of God is at hand: repent and beleeue the Gospel.”
- Daniel “I make a decree, that in all the dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel; for he is the living God, and steadfast forever, His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed; and his dominion shall be even to the end. -- Daniel 6:26”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part (Secunda Secundae), Of Unbelief in General, Art. 10: Article: Whether unbelievers may have authority or dominion over the faithful? I answer that, That this question may be considered in two ways. First, we may speak of dominion or authority of unbelievers over the faithful as of a thing to be established for the first time. This ought by no means to be allowed, since it would provoke scandal and endanger the faith, for subjects are easily influenced by their superiors to comply with their commands, unless the subjects are of great virt”
- Daniel (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Daniel 7:27: And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High,.... Not only the dominion that shall be taken away from the little horn or antichrist, and from all the antichristian states, but the dominion of all others throughout all the earth, and under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of God, and the true professors of faith in Christ. The kingdoms of this world will become Christ's, and Christian princes will be kings of them everywhere; and not only the royal power ”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 123: Messianic kingdom; that kingdom which the Messiah came into the world to establish. That kingdom, however, is presented in different aspects, or, in other words, Christ exercises his royal authority, so to speak, in different spheres. 600 Christ’s Dominion over the Universe. Christ has what theologians are accustomed to call his kingdom of power. As Theanthropos and as Mediator, all power in heaven and upon earth has been committed to his hands. ( Matt. xxviii. 18 .) In Psalm viii. 6 , it is declared to be the purpose of God that all thi”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 14:17: For the kingdom of God--or, as we should say, Religion; that is, the proper business and blessedness for which Christians are formed into a community of renewed men in thorough subjection to God (compare Co1 4:20). is not meat and drink--"eating and drinking" but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost--a beautiful and comprehensive division of living Christianity. The first--"righteousness"--has respect to God, denoting here "rectitude," in its widest sense (as in Mat 6:33); the second--"peace"--has respect to our neighbors, denoting ”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 123: within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father.” ( Matt. iii. 9 .) “They are not all Israel, which are of Israel.” ( Rom. ix. 6 .) The kingdom of Christ, in this aspect of it, is a purely spiritual community, consisting of those truly and inwardly his people. The laws of this kingdom require first and above all, faith in Jesus Christ; the sincere belief that He is the Son of God and the Saviour of the world, and cordial submission to Him and trust in Him as our prophet, priest, and king. With this faith is united supreme love. “He that”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 4:20: For the kingdom of God,.... By "the kingdom of God" is not meant the kingdom of heaven, or the ultimate glory and happiness of the saints; though that is a kingdom prepared by God, which he gives to his children, calls them to by his grace, and will give them an abundant entrance into, when time shall be no more with them; and though that is not attained to "in", or "by word", by mere talk and profession; not everyone that says Lord, Lord, shall enter into it; or that professes the name of Christ, and prophesies in it; but "in" or "by power"; through the power ”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 26: § 4. Dominion over the Creatures . The third particular which enters into the dignity of man's original state, and into the image of God with which he was invested, was his dominion over the creatures. This arose from the powers with which he was invested, and from the express appointment of God. God constituted him ruler over the earth. He placed, as the Psalmist said, all things under his feet. In 1 Cor. xi. 7 , the Apostle says that the man is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of the man. This he gives as the reaso”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 18:17: 18:17 receive the Kingdom of God like a child: Entrance into the Kingdom of God requires childlike faith and dependence on God.”