The Kingdom of God: Acts

Kingdom of God in the Book of Acts

The book of Acts is often described as the story of the early church. It tells us how the apostles preached the gospel, how churches were established, and how Christianity spread from Jerusalem to the nations. But there is an even bigger theme running through the entire book: the Kingdom of God.

Acts begins with Jesus teaching about the Kingdom and ends with Paul proclaiming the Kingdom. In between, we see the reign of the risen King Jesus spreading outward through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Acts Begins and Ends with the Kingdom

The Kingdom of God provides a framework for the entire book.

At the beginning of Acts, Jesus spends time with his disciples after his resurrection. Luke tells us that Jesus appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the Kingdom of God:

“He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.”
— Acts 1:3

At the end of Acts, Paul is under house arrest in Rome. Yet even though he is restricted physically, the message of the Kingdom continues to advance:

“He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.”
— Acts 28:30–31

The Kingdom Comes Through the Power of the Holy Spirit

Acts is not simply a story about people trying to build a religious organization. It is the story of God’s reign advancing through the work and power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus told his disciples:

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses…”
— Acts 1:8

Then, in Acts 2, the promise becomes reality. The disciples are gathered together when the Holy Spirit comes upon them:

“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
— Acts 2:4

This is the beginning of a dramatic movement. The Spirit empowers ordinary people to proclaim the reign of Jesus, and the message begins spreading beyond Jerusalem. The Kingdom is advancing, but it is advancing in a way that looks different from the kingdoms of this world.

Jesus Is King

At the center of the Kingdom message is the identity of Jesus.

Peter’s sermon at Pentecost reaches its climax with these words:

“Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
— Acts 2:36

This is what makes Christianity different from other religions. We don’t claim Jesus is the founder of our little religion and traditions. We proclaim that He is Lord of all humanity and creation. He is the Lord and Christ—the Messiah and King. His resurrection demonstrates that death could not defeat him. His exaltation demonstrates that God has enthroned him. And the outpouring of the Holy Spirit demonstrates that Jesus is now reigning. The Kingdom of God therefore cannot be separated from Jesus. To proclaim the Kingdom is to proclaim the King.

This is why the preaching throughout Acts continually points people toward Jesus. The apostles are announcing that God’s promised King has come, has been crucified, has risen from the dead, and now reigns.

The Church as an Expression of the Kingdom

Acts 2 gives us one of the clearest pictures of what life under God’s reign looks like. After Peter’s sermon, thousands respond to the gospel. Luke then describes the community that develops:

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”
— Acts 2:42

The believers shared their possessions, cared for one another, worshiped together, ate together, and lived in community. The church is the embodiment of the kingdom of God. It should express its values, principles, and should be visibly seen in the way the people of the church live. 

The Kingdom Is for All People

One of the most important developments in Acts is the expanding reach of the Kingdom. It starts in Jerusalem and spreads to all nations, making it clear that everyone is invited to participate in the kingdom. 

Jerusalem and Judea — Acts 2

Samaria — Acts 8

The Nations — Acts 10–20