Church: Is it the kingdom?

Among men, there have been various opinions as to when the church was established. Although men are not in agreement when the church was established, the word of God leaves no doubt when this took place.  Understanding that the church and kingdom are one and the same will clear the confusion concerning the establishment of the church. 

To try and make a distinction between the church and kingdom (even though the words have a different meaning) can hinder one in understanding when the church began. When one understands when the kingdom was established, one understands then, when the church was established. 

The church is a body of people that have been called by God through the gospel, II Thess.2:14. According to I Peter 2:9 the church is a body of people that have been called "out of darkness into his marvelous light". The church, which is a body of people that have been called out of darkness into his marvelous light, also according to Col. 1:13 have been "translated into the kingdom of his dear Son". Being in a kingdom would necessitate a king. Christ is the king over this kingdom, the church, which Christ is also the head. The church and Kingdom are the "one body" Eph. 4:4, not two different institutions.

In Matt. 16:18-19 we see the words "church" and "Kingdom" used by Christ in relating to the same thing. It reads as Christ tells Peter, "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven". Christ used the words church and kingdom here interchangeable. 

Keys are used to open something, and in a figurative sense, Peter used these keys to open the door, (way of entrance) into the church, which is the kingdom. This is observed in Acts 2. 

The scriptures reveal that the coming of the kingdom coincides with the the establishment of the church which further uphold the truth that they are one in the same. Jesus said the kingdom would come with power in Mark 9:1. It reads, "Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power". The power here referred to is the power conferred on the apostles by the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Just before the ascension of Christ, he said to the apostles in Acts 1:8 "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you".

This power came upon the apostles as recorded in Acts 2:1-4. It says, "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".

Thus the power of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles enable them to speak in tongues (languages) and preach the first gospel sermon as recorded in the second chapter of Acts. When Peter brought the first sermon to a close, it says in Acts 2:37, "Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Peter's reply (speaking as the Spirit directed him) said in Acts 2:38, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost".

Then it says in Acts 2:41 "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls". The church, which is the kingdom, has  now been established, which is evident in Acts 2:47. It reads, "the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved". Peter used the keys of the kingdom promised to him by Jesus to open the way into the church, the kingdom, by preaching the gospel of Christ. Thus the birthday of the church, the coming of the kingdom, which are the same, was on the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Jesus Christ.