“AS A LITTLE CHILD”

by Kevin Rutherford

The kingdom of God is the church. Daniel prophesied that the kingdom would be given to Christ at His ascension (Daniel 7:13, 14). Shortly after Jesus Christ ascended into heaven, the church/kingdom was established (Acts 1,2). Jesus said, some of those standing before Him as He spoke in the first century would see the kingdom of God come with power (Mark 9:1). The power would come when the Holy Spirit came (Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit came upon the apostles on the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ (Acts 2:1-4). The kingdom would come with power, the power came with the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit came on Pentecost. Therefore, the kingdom was established on Pentecost. What is that kingdom? The same chapter which records the coming of the power with the Holy Spirit says, “the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved (Acts 2:47).” The kingdom is the church. They were established on the same day, and are in fact, the same institution.

The kingdom, which is the church, is also referred to as the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22, 23). One must be in the body to be saved (Ephesians 5:23). That is why Paul taught that salvation is in Christ (2 Timothy 2:10). How do I get into the kingdom, which is the church and the body? I am baptized into the body (Galatians 3:27). What happens when I am baptized? My sins are washed away by the blood of Christ (Acts 2:38; 22:16). Therefore, when I am baptized to enter the kingdom my sins are washed away. That means I enter the kingdom without sin.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it (Mark 10:14, 15).” We must enter the kingdom in the same state a child is in. We enter the kingdom without sin. Therefore, little children are without sin. What a horrible, unjust, and unscriptural doctrine it is which says that children are born with the sins of their parents upon them. What a terrible doctrine it is which says children are born with a sinful nature. Children are neither born with sin or with a sinful nature. Babies are pure, innocent, and in a safe condition spiritually.