If Paul didn't teach the gospel of the Kingdom what did he mean when he said…
Acts 20:25
And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
Could you explain this to me? Is it talking about him preaching the gospel of the kingdom, or what?
When the bible talks about "the kingdom of God," one must remember and be aware that the kingdom of God has two spheres or dimensions! The very first verse of the bible explains that in the beginning God created "the heaven and the earth." That first verse of scripture sets the tone of what God's kingdom consist of. The word "kingdom" simply means "a king's dominion,” or a “king's domain." Therefore, God, who is a King, has dominion over both heaven and earth, both are his domain.
So with that said, when our Apostle Paul, the Apostle of this present dispensation of Grace uses the term "kingdom of God," he is not focusing on the earthly sphere...(that is what Peter and the other 11 Jewish Apostles focused on). Paul, our Apostle, is focuses on the "heavenly places...Ephesians 1; 2; 3), of God's overall kingdom.
Notice that although Paul uses the term "kingdom of God" in Acts 20:25, he first explains in the previous verse that his gospel is not Peter's gospel of the earthly kingdom, but the one, new, unique, distinctive gospel of the grace of God, called "my gospel" by Paul in Romans.
Acts 20:24
But none of these things move me , neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
Romans 16:25
Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
Lastly, remember, the book of Acts is not given by God for us today to build doctrine upon (that's what Paul's 13 epistles Romans through Philemon are for), but it is in the bible to teach Israel first, then secondary us gentile readers both see and understand the fall of Israel, and God's salvation in Christ Jesus coming to us gentiles through Paul!
Acts is a transitional book, and therefore there is some "overlap" between what he was doing with Israel, and what he was doing in the early stages of the church, the body of Christ...and that includes the terminology used in Acts that Jews would be familiar with, but that can also be confusing to unlearned gentiles.
Hopefully this
helps!
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