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Relationship Between Church, Word, and Kingdom

The relationship between the Church, the Word, and the Kingdom of God is central to Christian theology, with each concept illuminating and defining the others. The "Church" (Greek ekklesia) originally referred to an assembly called out by legitimate authority [1, 7]. In the New Testament, it signifies the Christian congregation [1]. The "Word" (Greek Logos) is a title for Jesus Christ, emphasizing his role as the revealer of God and his divine nature [8]. The "Kingdom of God" (also called "Kingdom of Heaven," "Kingdom of Christ," or "Kingdom of David") refers to Christ's mediatorial authority, his rule on earth, the blessings flowing from this rule, and the collective body of his subjects, which is the Church [5].

The Church as the Manifestation of the Kingdom

The Church is understood as the visible manifestation of God's Kingdom on earth. Charles Hodge describes the Church as God's Kingdom, noting that while God is the sovereign ruler of all creation, humanity revolted, becoming part of a "kingdom of darkness." Through grace, God has established a new kingdom, drawing people out of darkness into his light [18]. This kingdom is not of this world in the sense that it does not operate like earthly national organizations, but it is designed to embrace all other kingdoms and can coexist with various forms of civil government [16].

The New Testament frequently connects the preaching of the Gospel with the Kingdom of God. Jesus himself preached the Kingdom of God [5], and his disciples were sent to do the same [11]. The book of Acts concludes with Paul "preaching the Kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance" [3]. John Gill notes that "the kingdom of heaven" can refer to the Gospel dispensation, the Gospel church state, and the ministry of the word and administration of ordinances within it [15]. The saints, in their praise, speak of the glory of God's kingdom, encompassing not only his rule over nature but especially his kingdom of grace, where he rules by his Spirit and grace in the hearts of believers [14].

The Word as the Instrument of the Kingdom

The "Word" plays a crucial role in establishing and sustaining the Kingdom and the Church. As Logos, Christ is the ultimate revealer of God [8]. His mediatorial kingship is exercised "especially by his Word and Spirit, through which and by whom He reigns in and rules over them" [9]. The Gospel, as the Word of God, is described as "the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" (Romans 1:16) [10].

The power of the Church, particularly in the Lutheran tradition, is understood to be exercised "only by teaching or preaching the Gospel and administering the Sacraments" [10]. These actions grant "not bodily, but eternal things, as eternal righteousness, the Holy Ghost, eternal life," which "cannot come but by the ministry of the Word and the Sacraments" [10]. This highlights the instrumental role of the preached Word in bringing about the spiritual realities of the Kingdom.

The Kingdom of God is characterized not merely by talk or words, but by power [2, 6]. This power is inherent in the Word of God itself. While some theological perspectives might debate the exact mechanism of the Spirit's action, the Bible consistently presents the Word of God as "quick and powerful" [13]. It is through the Word that Christ quickens believers to spiritual life, sanctifies them, and adorns his Church with graces, preserving it from harm and curbing its enemies [12].

Christ's Kingly Office and the Church

Christ's kingly office is one of the three functions of his single mediatorial office, alongside his prophetic and priestly roles [4]. As King, Christ is the sovereign Head over his Church and over all things for the benefit of his Church [4]. This kingship is exercised within and over his Church [4]. All people are called to recognize Christ as their king, invested with divine majesty and authority, and to reflect his character [9]. This kingdom is everlasting, meaning the relationship believers have with Christ on earth will continue forever [9].

The Church, therefore, is not merely a human institution but a realm where Christ's kingly rule is actively expressed. Pastors and leaders within the Church are seen as "subordinate governors" or "guides" who rule according to Christ's laws, faithfully pointing people to Christ and guiding them in understanding Scripture and Gospel truths [19].

Interdependence and Distinctions

While closely related, the Church, the Word, and the Kingdom are distinct concepts. The Kingdom of God is a broader concept encompassing Christ's universal rule and the spiritual blessings derived from it, while the Church is the community of those who are subjects of this Kingdom [5]. The Word is the means by which the Kingdom is proclaimed and established, and through which the Church is built up and sustained.

Augustine, in City of God, notes that prophetic utterances about Christ and the Church often mingle direct statements with tropical or figurative language, requiring careful interpretation [17]. This suggests the profound and sometimes complex relationship between these concepts, where the Church is often seen as the earthly embodiment and instrument of the Kingdom, brought into being and governed by the divine Word.

Sources

  1. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Church — + The derivation of the word is generally said to be from the Greek kuriakon (kuriakon) "belonging to the Lord." But the derivation has been too hastily assumed. It is probably connected with kirk, the Latin circus, circulus, the Greek kuklos (kuklos) because the congregations were gathered in circles. + Ecclesia (ekklesia) the Greek word for church, originally meant an assembly called out by the magistrate, or by legitimate authority. It was in this last sense that the word was adapted and applied by the writers of the New Testament to the Christian congrega”
  2. 1 Corinthians “For the Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. -- 1 Corinthians 4:20”
  3. Acts “preaching the Kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance. -- Acts 28:31”
  4. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Kingly office of Christ — One of the three special relations in which Christ stands to his people. Christ's office as mediator comprehends three different functions, viz., those of a prophet, priest, and king. These are not three distinct offices, but three functions of the one office of mediator. Christ is King and sovereign Head over his Church and over all things to his Church (Eph. 1:22; 4:15; Col. 1:18; 2:19). He executes this mediatorial kingship in his Church, and over his Church, and over all things in behalf of his Church. This royalty differs from that whic”
  5. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Kingdom of God — (Matt. 6:33; Mark 1:14, 15; Luke 4:43) = "kingdom of Christ" (Matt. 13:41; 20:21) = "kingdom of Christ and of God" (Eph. 5:5) = "kingdom of David" (Mark 11:10) = "the kingdom" (Matt. 8:12; 13:19) = "kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 3:2; 4:17; 13:41), all denote the same thing under different aspects, viz.: (1) Christ's mediatorial authority, or his rule on the earth; (2) the blessings and advantages of all kinds that flow from this rule; (3) the subjects of this kingdom taken collectively, or the Church.”
  6. I Corinthians “I Corinthians 4:20 (LEB) — For the kingdom of God is not with talk, but with power.”
  7. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Church — Derived probably from the Greek kuriakon (i.e., "the Lord's house"), which was used by ancient authors for the place of worship. In the New Testament it is the translation of the Greek word ecclesia, which is synonymous with the Hebrew kahal of the Old Testament, both words meaning simply an assembly, the character of which can only be known from the connection in which the word is found. There is no clear instance of its being used for a place of meeting or of worship, although in post-apostolic times it early received this meaning. Nor is this word ever us”
  8. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Word, The — (Gr. Logos), one of the titles of our Lord, found only in the writings of John (John 1:1-14; 1 John 1:1; Rev. 19:13). As such, Christ is the revealer of God. His office is to make God known. "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him" (John 1:18). This title designates the divine nature of Christ. As the Word, he "was in the beginning" and "became flesh." "The Word was with God " and "was God," and was the Creator of all things (comp. Ps. 33: 6; 107:20; 119:89; 147:18; Isa. 40:8).”
  9. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 123: all men may recognize Christ as their king, invested with divine majesty and authority, and that they should all be like Him in character and conduct. This kingdom of Christ over all his people is exercised not only by his power in their protection and direction, but especially by his Word and Spirit, through which and by whom He reigns in and rules over them. This kingdom of Christ is everlasting. That is, the relation which believers sustain to Christ on earth they will sustain to Him forever. Christ’s Visible Kingdom. As religion is e”
  10. Augsburg Confession (Lutheran) “Augsburg Confession (Lutheran, 1530), 8 This power is exercised only by teaching or preaching the Gospel: 8 This power is exercised only by teaching or preaching the Gospel and administering the Sacraments, according to their calling either to many or to individuals. For thereby are granted, not bodily, but eternal things, as eternal righteousness, the Holy Ghost, eternal life. 9 These things cannot come but by the ministry of the Word and the Sacraments, as Paul says, Rom. 1:16: The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. 10 Therefore, since the power of the Chu”
  11. Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 9:2: And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God,.... The Gospel, which gives an account of the kingdom of the Messiah; of his kingly office and power; of his church, which is his kingdom, and of the government of it, by the ministration of the word, and the administration of ordinances; of the kingdom of grace in the hearts of Christ's subjects, and the nature of it; and of the kingdom of glory, and what is the saints' meetness for it, and right unto it: and to heal the sick; of every disease of body, and thereby confirm their mission and commission from Christ, to preac”
  12. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 52: may quicken us to spiritual life, sanctify us by his Spirit, and adorn his Church with various graces, by his protection preserve it safe from all harm, and by the strength of his hand curb the enemies raging against his cross and our salvation; in fine, that he may possess all power in heaven and earth, until he have utterly routed all his foes, who are also ours and completed the structure of his Church. Such is the true nature of the kingdom, such the power which the Father has conferred upon him, until he arrive to complete the”
  13. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 54: of opium, poison, or fire; but moral, “ illustrando mentem, commovendo voluntatem ,” etc. Nevertheless the illustration holds as to the main point. The Word has an inherent, divine, and constant power. It produces different effects according to the subjective state of those on whom it acts. The Spirit acts neither on them nor on it more at one time than at another. 482 Remarks. 1. It is obvious that this peculiar theory has no support from Scripture. The Bible does indeed say that the Word of God is quick and powerful; that it is the wisd”
  14. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 145:11: They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom,.... That is, the saints who are his special workmanship, in the celebration of his praise; and, while they are blessing him, will take particular notice, and make particular mention of his kingdom, and the glory of it; not only his kingdom of nature and providence, which ruleth over all, angels and men, good and bad; which deserves the notice of the saints, and is matter of great joy unto them, that their King reigns in the world, but also, and rather, his kingdom of grace, in which he rules by his Spirit and grace in th”
  15. Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 13:29: Another parable put he forth unto them, saying,.... As the former parable sets forth the condition of the Gospel church state until the end of the world; this expresses the small beginnings of it, and the large increase and growth of it, and its great usefulness to the saints, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field: by "the kingdom of heaven" is meant, as before, the Gospel dispensation, or the Gospel church state, and the ministry of the word, and the administration of ordinances in it: by the grain of mu”
  16. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 123: of this world. The latter organized the Hebrews as a nation, and directed all their municipal and national, as well as their social and religious affairs. It, therefore, could not coexist in time and place with any other national organization. The kingdom of Christ being designed to embrace all other kingdoms, can exist under all forms of civil government without interfering with any. It was especially in this view that Christ declared that his kingdom was not of this world. His immediate design was to vindicate his claim to be a king, f”
  17. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 2: Augustine — City of God, Christian Doctrine — CHAP. 16.--OF THE THINGS PERTAINING TO CHRIST AND THE CHURCH, SAID EITHER OPENLY OR TROPICALLY IN THE 45TH PSALM. (part 1): For whatever direct and manifest prophetic utterances there may be about anything, it is necessary that those which are tropical should be mingled with them; which, chiefly on account of those of slower understanding, thrust upon the more learned the laborious task of clearing up and expounding them. Some of them, indeed, on the very first blush, as soon as they are spoken, exhibit Christ and the Church, although ”
  18. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 121: § 1. The Church God’s Kingdom . God as the creator and preserver of the universe, and as infinite in his being and perfections, is, in virtue of his nature, the absolute sovereign of all his creatures. This sovereignty He exercises over the material world by his wisdom and power, and over rational beings as a moral ruler. From this rightful authority of God, our race revolted, and thereby became a part of the kingdom of darkness of which Satan is the head. To this kingdom the mass of mankind has ever since belonged. But God, in his. grac”
  19. Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 13:7: Remember them which have the rule over you,.... Christ's church is a kingdom, and he is King in it; pastors of churches are subordinate governors; who rule well when they rule not in an arbitrary way, according to their own wills, but according to the laws of Christ, with all faithfulness, prudence, and diligence. The word may be rendered "guides" or "leaders"; for such point out the way of peace, life, and salvation to men, and direct them to Christ; and guide them into the understanding of the Scriptures, and the truths of the Gospel; and lead them in the paths of ”
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