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Statement of Beliefs:
Kingdom of God

November 9, 2013

We have started a discussion regarding a Statement of Beliefs for those who identify as First-Century Apostolic Christians, those of us who believe our practices are closely aligned to the practices of the first-century church. We began to look at how we believe that Christian faith includes a life of faith with works and that to live a live with one without the other is dead. Last week , we examined our belief that the comforting power of the Holy Spirit is given to those who have repentance from dead works, faith towards God, and is symbolized through baptism and the laying on of hands.

We believe that God is in the process of establishing the Kingdom of God on earth, and that this process is symbolized through the Christian observance of the Holy Days.

Consider these verses:

John 2:23-25
Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

Jesus observed the Holy Days during his earthly ministry and he never indicated that these would be done away with.

Acts 2:1-4
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The Holy Spirit was first given to the church on the Day of Pentecost, the Feast of First-Fruits.

1 Corinthians 16:5-8
Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia. And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go. For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit. But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia. And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go. For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit. But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.

During Paul's ministry, he referenced Pentecost as a future date. If the Holy Days had been done away and replaced with another holiday, Paul would have likely referenced that holiday. Additionally, Paul would have likely explained in great detail why the Holy Days were no longer required to be observed, if indeed the observance of these were no longer required.

1 Corinthians 15:50-57
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Moving beyond the spring Holy Days, Paul alludes to a prophetic event detailed in the Book of Revelation that is aligned to the Feast of Trumpets.

Romans 5:11
And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

The sacrifice of Jesus provided atonement, once for all, for our sins. Atonement is the purpose of the Day of Atonement and points to a future time when Satan is exiled and the sins of all mankind are forgiven.

John 7:37-40
In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.

The Feast of Tabernacles culminating in the last, great day of the feast, pictures a time when all not only have the Holy Spirit, they have it to the degree that it flows from them for the spiritual healing of others.

2 Peter 3:13
Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

The Holy Days point towards a future time of righteousness, collectively referred to as the Kingdom of God.

Living a life of faith as Christian requires us to believe that God is in the process of establishing the Kingdom of God on earth, and that this process is symbolized through the Christian observance of the Holy Days. There is much more to explore regarding this topic. A Statement of Beliefs is not intended to fully represent all of our beliefs, and is intended to provide a reasonable summary so that others can succinctly understand what we believe. It can also provide us with a reflective consideration of our own religious faith. The more we understand who we are and what we believe, the more we can help others understand who we are and what we believe, the more we will be able to celebrate what is good, embrace what is good, and do what is good.

All verses are from the King James Version.
This site provided by Tom Laign. To all who may believe differently, I also extend peace and love.