Lesson 1. Significance of Name
We will begin with a simple, yet profound question. Simple, because the answer to this question should be common knowledge and should be known by every believer in Christ, yet profound, because despite its importance, only a paltry few possess this essential knowledge. This all important question is, What was Jesus' message? What did Jesus teach and preach? If you were asked this question, what would your answer be? To get a consensus on the views of believers, I conducted a Google search. The following is the result of my search.
Ques: What was Jesus' message?
Have faith.
Repentance.
Serve others.
The Beatitude.
Forgive others.
Eternity with God.
Love your enemies.
Eternal punishment.
The Kingdom of God.
Love God and our neighbour.
Love God and our neighbour.
God is one and He is most merciful.
It is noteworthy, that though all Christians read the same Scriptures, the findings reveal that there are at least twelve different viewpoints as it relates to Jesus' message. If we do not know or we are confused about the message Jesus brought, how then can we appropriately respond to it? This can be likened to someone going on a journey without any sense of direction. Or, having a road map, but has no idea how to read it. In such situations we are bound to get lost, which many of us have.
To discover the answer to this fundamental question, let us now closely follow Jesus' ministry. “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”. (Matt. 4:17). “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people”. (Matt. 9:35). And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent. (Luke 4:43).
If you were attentive, you would have observed a common thread in Jesus' message. That common thread is 'the kingdom of God'. Jesus preached and taught the same message everywhere he went. That message is 'the gospel of the kingdom of God'. Jesus made it clear that this was the message the Father sent him to deliver to the world. (Please note that the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God are one and the same). Compare these texts: (Matt. 4:17 and Mark 1:14-15) (Matt. 11:11and Luke 7:28).
Let us now briefly analyze the content of Jesus' message. Jesus commands us to repent and to believe the gospel and then he tells us why. The why is that, the kingdom of heaven or the kingdom God is at hand. Before we discuss the why, however, we must first determine the meaning of the word 'gospel'. The word 'gospel' contrary to what many believe, is not a synonym for Scriptures or for the first four books of the New Testament, namely, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, although we often refer to them as such. The word 'gospel' simply means 'good news'. In Luke 8:1 it is translated as 'glad tidings'. Whenever, therefore, you hear or think of the word 'gospel', you must always think 'good news' or 'glad tidings'. So, the sole purpose of Jesus coming to earth was to bring us good news. This should fill us with excitement, because we are always happy to hear good news and this is not just good news, but the best news, ever.
In explaining why, we should repent and believe this good news, Jesus said we should do so because 'the kingdom of heaven is at hand'. Now, if it is required that we repent and believe, it is paramount that we know and understand what it is we are to believe. What knowledge, therefore, based on Jesus' message regarding the kingdom do we now need to acquire?
1) We must know what the kingdom of God is.
2) We must know what it means that the kingdom of God is at hand.
3) We must know all that constitute the gospel [good news] of the kingdom of God.
4) We must know how the kingdom of God operates or functions.
Having spent three and one half years in ministry, teaching and preaching the good news of the kingdom, what was Jesus' activity during the forty days period between his resurrection and his return to heaven? Let us read from Luke's account. “Unto the apostles whom he had chosen: To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God”. (Acts 1:1-3). Luke informs us, very succinctly, that Jesus, after his resurrection, spent forty days on earth continuing his teaching on the kingdom of God.
We now have knowledge of the activities of Jesus while on earth, both before and after his resurrection, but what assignment did he give to his disciples? “Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick”. (Luke 9:1-2). “After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. Therefore said he unto them...into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. (Luke 10:1-9). You will notice, that it is the same message of the kingdom that Jesus taught, preached and demonstrated by miracles, that he assigned to his disciples to impart to those they ministered to and that is exactly what they did.
So, what about the Apostle Paul, what message did he preach and teach? We must remember now, that Paul was not one of Jesus' disciples. It was his pleasure to persecute the Christians. Paul was not appointed as an Apostle until after Jesus had returned to heaven and imparted to him, his message by means of revelation. So, what message did Jesus give to Paul? Let us find out together. “And he [Paul] went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God”. (Acts 19:8-12). “And when they had appointed him [Paul] a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God”. (Acts 28:23). “And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him”. (Acts 28:30-31). We see, again, that Paul consistently taught and preached the very same message of the kingdom of God, as did Jesus and his disciples.
If we should take the time, to back track a bit, we will discover that John the Baptist preached the very same message as did Jesus and his Apostles. “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”. (Matt.3:1-2).
Have you observed the unity in their messages? From John the Baptist, to Jesus, to the disciples and the Apostle Paul, the message is the same. There is no inconsistency, there is no departure, there is no deviation.
Have you ever heard a message or teaching on the 'gospel of the kingdom'? More than likely, not. It may interest you to know that the word 'kingdom' appears one hundred and fifty times in the New Testament alone, yet, it is not a familiar word in most Christian's vocabulary. How could this be?
Did the message of the gospel of the kingdom come to an end with Jesus and his Apostles? Is there a new gospel given to the Church by Jesus Christ? Does God no longer speak through His son? Has God appointed new spokespersons to deliver a new message and to speak on His behalf?
What did Jesus say about taking his message of the kingdom to the world? “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come”. (Matt. 24:14). “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations...Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you”. (Matt. 28:19-20).
What was the Apostle Paul's warning regarding those who preach and teach a different message? “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed”. (Gal. 1:8-9).
So, as it pertains to the naming of this university, the name is not without significance. The Gospel of the Kingdom University is not just a random name, but a name in which its mandate and mission are reflected. The mandate and mission of the Gospel of the Kingdom University is to faithfully continue in the footsteps of Jesus and his Apostles, in bringing to light the good news of the kingdom of God as taught and demonstrated by them. This, the Church is commanded and commissioned to do, but for the most part, has failed miserably.