The speaker in our final session was the Dutch Reformation Today editor Kees van Kralingen. He took us to Acts and the references there to the kingdom (see Acts 1:3,6; 8:12; 19:8; 20:25; 28:23, 31). Besides the direct references the kingdom theme is common in the book. He made three main points.
1. The Kingdom
The Book of Acts is a very encouraging book about the growth of the gospel in the early days, a growth that goes on well beyond the book itself.
1. Who is the King?
Christ is the King and he is now being crowned with glory and honour. He has sent the Holy Spirit, who is active in the world now.
2. What is his kingdom?
Besides being Lord as he is God, there is also his kingdom rule.
3. How was this kingdom established?
Through the death and resurrection of Christ.
This kingdom is the fulfilment of the prophecies in Isaiah (see Acts 1 nd 13).
2. The means used to extend the kingdom
It is the disciples who are used to extend the kingdom. It is through them that Christ's work is taken forward. The main focus in Acts is on Paul and his unexpected and extraordinary work.
3. The outcome
Despite great oppositon the word spread. The book ends with Paul in Rome and all sorts of people coming to him to hear the gospel. The way th book ends points forward to what is soemtimes called Acts 29 - the ongoing work of the gospel that goes on today.
He ended by sharing some of the encouragements in Europe today with new churches being planted in Holland, large gatherings in France adn Poland where Reformed teaching was given and advances in the Balkans with former Muslims preaching the gospel, etc.
This kingdom is the fulfilment of the prophecies in Isaiah (see Acts 1 nd 13).
2. The means used to extend the kingdom
It is the disciples who are used to extend the kingdom. It is through them that Christ's work is taken forward. The main focus in Acts is on Paul and his unexpected and extraordinary work.
3. The outcome
Despite great oppositon the word spread. The book ends with Paul in Rome and all sorts of people coming to him to hear the gospel. The way th book ends points forward to what is soemtimes called Acts 29 - the ongoing work of the gospel that goes on today.
He ended by sharing some of the encouragements in Europe today with new churches being planted in Holland, large gatherings in France adn Poland where Reformed teaching was given and advances in the Balkans with former Muslims preaching the gospel, etc.
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It has been a good conference. Numbers were perhaps a little low and we lack youth and diversity but it was a good time. We meet again, God willing, January 5-7, 2021, when one of the speakers will be Conrad Mbewe from Zambia.
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