Contending

In Proposition 106, George Peters states: "Our doctrine of the Kingdom sustained by the temptation of Christ." When Jesus was led to the wilderness to be tempted, the enemy purposefully chose his tactics thinking they would trip and trick Jesus into sinful behavior....

In Proposition 105, George Peters states: "The Lord's Prayer, is indicative of the fact that the Church is not the covenanted Messianic Kingdom." How many times have we prayed this prayer and overlooked the meaning of "Thy Kingdom come". What is this Kingdom we are...

In Proposition 104, George Peters states: "The Christian Church is not denoted by the predicted Kingdom of the Prophets." Peters dives a bit further into Scripture by noting the church is not denoted in the prophetic writings as the predicted, covenanted, promised...

In Proposition 103, George Peters states: "This Kingdom is not a Kingdom in the third heaven." As has been repeatedly demonstrated, the promised Kingdom is a visible earthly kingdom. While there is no doubt our Lord rules from heaven, the covenanted Kingdom is an...

In Proposition 102, George Peters states: "Neither the visible nor the invisible church is the covenanted Kingdom." This proposition is really a summation of the preceding few arguments made by Peters. Here, he concludes his thoughts on the visible and invisible...

In Proposition 101, George Peters states: "The invisible Church is not the covenanted Kingdom of Christ." If the visible Church is not the covenanted Kingdom of Christ, then the question must also be asked if the invisible Church can be construed to be the covenanted...

In Proposition 100, George Peters states: "The visible church is not the predicted Kingdom of Jesus Christ." If the early church and the pages of Scripture do not teach that the church is the predicted Kingdom of Christ and if that was a later insertion into church...

In Proposition 99, George Peters states: "The opinion that the church is the predicted Kingdom of Christ was of later origin than the first and second centuries." If it was not being taught in the NT or in the early church that the Kingdom of God was equated to being...

In Proposition 98, George Peters states: "That the church is not the Kingdom promised to David's Son was the belief of the early church." If it often declared and rightly so that in order to best understand the writings of something, one must understand what was...

In Proposition 97, George Peters states: "The various forms of Church government indicate that the Church is not the promised Kingdom." One King and one form of government is the construct predicted in the coming Kingdom. We certainly do not see that as the current...

In Proposition 96, George Peters states: "The differences visible in the Church are evidences that it is not the predicted Kingdom of the Messiah." Evidence is always an important point to consider when comparing two entities such as in this case the church and the...

In Proposition 95, George Peters states: "If the church is the Kingdom, then the terms "church" and "kingdom" should be synonymous." This is a simple yet true statement from Peters. In order for the church to be the kingdom and vice versa, then both terms should be...

In Proposition 94, George Peters states: "The overlooking of the postponement of this Kingdom is a fundamental mistake, and a fruitful source of error in many systems of Theology." I give this proposition a hearty amen and amen. Why? I give it an amen because we have...

In Proposition 93, George Peters states: "The Covenanted Kingdom is not the Christian Church." If the Jewish Church is not the Kingdom, then it has to be stated (and it has repeatedly thus far by Peters either by Proposition or observation), that the Christian Church...

In Proposition 92, George Peters states: "This Kingdom is not what some call "The Gospel Kingdom." The application of the term gospel seems to be one of the latest buzz words in theological circles. Check out your local Christian bookstore and note the number of books...

In Proposition 91, George Peters states: "The Kingdom of God is not the Jewish Church." Just as Peters has made the case that the Kingdom of God is not what is understood as the NT Church, he also makes the proposition that the Kingdom of God is also not the Jewish...

In Proposition 88, George Peters states: "The Church is then a preparatory stage for this Kingdom." This statement is a natural extension of the previous proposition. It the ekklesia is not the promised Kingdom, it must serve another purpose within the doctrine of the...

In Proposition 87, George Peters states: "The postponement of the Kingdom is the key to the understanding of the meaning of this dispensation." To understand where we presently are in salvation history, it is always vital to look back in time and to the future,...

In Proposition 85, George Peters states: "Neither Abraham, nor his engrafted seed have as yet inherited the Kingdom; hence the Kingdom must be something different from "piety", "religion", and God's reign in the heart." Peters walks down the through process one step...

In Proposition 84, George Peters states: "As this Kingdom is specially given to the Son of Man as the result of his obedience, sufferings, and death, it must be something different from His Divine nature, or from "piety", "religion", "God's reign in the heart", etc."...

In Proposition 83, George Peters states: "This Kingdom is given to the Son of Man by God, the Father." This is no small statement. The Son of Man will be given the Kingdom by God the Father. This statement, based on the facts previously investigated regarding the Son...

In Proposition 82, George Peters states: "This Kingdom is a complete restoration in the person of the Second Adam or Man, or the dominion lost by the First Adam or Man." The gospel in a nutshell - restoration and redemption of what was lost under the First Adam. Man...

In Proposition 81, George Peters states: "This Kingdom, thus covenanted, belongs to Jesus as "the Son of Man." The title of Son of Man is a fascinating study that all should embark upon and understand. The covenanted Kingdom is promised to the seed of David. Jesus, as...

In Proposition 76, George Peters states: "This Kingdom of covenant promise and prediction, is to be distinguished from the Sovereignty which Jesus exercises by virtue of His Divine nature." Just as there is a need to differentiate between the universal sovereignty of...

In Proposition 79, George Peters states: "The Kingdom of God, promised by covenant and prophets, is to be distinguished from the general and universal Sovereignty of God." God is Sovereign and His Kingdom is eternal. These are basic theological facts that cannot be...

In Proposition 76, George Peters states: "The early church doctrine was revived after the Reformation." We should be thankful for the individuals who recognized what was taking place and who bravely rejected the mandates presented by the Papacy in favor of getting...

In Proposition 77, George Peters states: "The doctrine of the Kingdom, as held by the early church, was finally almost exterminated under the teaching and power of the Papacy." I am not the most astute student of church history. With that said, it can rightly be...

In Proposition 76, George Peters states: "The doctrine of the Kingdom was changed under the Gnostic and Alexandrian influence." This is a huge and important statement that I hope Peters digs into deeper as the propositions go along. If you are not familiar with...

In Proposition 75, George Peters states: "The doctrine of the Kingdom, as held by the churches established by the Apostles, was perpetuated." When it comes to discussing the perpetuation of a doctrine within church history, it is not enough to simply trace back a...

In Proposition 74, George Peters states: "The belief in the speedy Advent of Christ, entertained both by the Apostles and the churches under them, indicates what Kingdom was believed in and taught by the first Christians." The very fact that there was an expectation...

In Proposition 73, George Peters states: "The doctrine of the Kingdom preached by the Apostles and Elders, raised up no controversy with the Jews." Peters continues to make note of the acceptance of the doctrine of the Kingdom by the Jews as promulgated by the...

In Proposition 72, George Peters states: "The doctrine of the Kingdom, as preached by the apostles, was received by the early churches." This is a simply yet important proposition. Since it has been established on a recurring and ever expanding basis by Peters that...

In Proposition 71, George Peters states: "The language of the Apostles confirmed the Jews in their Messianic hopes of the Kingdom." Given that we can clearly affirm the Apostles did not teach anything different than what had been declared for centuries in the Old...

In Proposition 70, George Peters states: "The apostles, after Christ's ascension, did not preach, either to Jews or Gentiles, that the Kingdom was established." This is an easy enough proposition to confirm given all one has to do is investigate the book of Acts,...

In Proposition 69, George Peters states: "The death of Jesus did not remove the notion entertained by the disciples and apostles concerning the Kingdom." The death of Jesus certainly impacted the psyche of the disciples and apostles. The Messiah had just been...

In Proposition 68, George Peters states: "This Kingdom is then essentially a Jewish Kingdom." This goes without saying based on all the evidence presented by Peters thus far from Scripture. The covenant promises were made by God to the Jewish people and by the grace...

In Proposition 67, George Peters states: "The Kingdom could not therefore have been set up at that time, viz.: at the First Advent." Peters has noted this proposition before, but as with many statements, this bears repeating at this juncture in his argument. There are...

In Proposition 66, George Peters states: "The Kingdom that was nigh at one time (viz.: at the First Advent) to the Jewish nation, is now removed to the close of its tribulation, and of "the times of the Gentiles." It is quite clear (just look at the world around us on...

In Proposition 64, George Peters states: "The Kingdom being given to the elect only, any adoption into that elect portion must be revealed by express Divine Revelation." An inheritance is simply not given to anyone without the permission of the father. In the case of...

In Proposition 63, George Peters states: "The present elect, to whom the Kingdom will be given, is the continuation of the previous election, chiefly in another engrafted people." If there is any question as to whom the present elect are, it consists of all believers...

In Proposition 62, George Peters states: "This people, to whom the Kingdom is to be given, gathered out of the nations, becomes the elect nation." Peters again notes the reality of the gathering out of many nations of a people into one nation with the engrafting into...

In Proposition 61, George Peters states: "The Kingdom which by promise exclusively belonged to the Jewish nation, the rightful seed of Abraham, was now to be given to an engrafted people." Again, this does not mean a complete and thorough rejection of the Jewish...

In Proposition 60, George Peters states: "This Kingdom of God is given, not to nations, but to one nation." This is a very important point. We are the people of God, a holy called nation. From out of many nations into one nation. This is after all what the word...

In Proposition 59, George Peters states: "This Kingdom of God, offered to the Jewish nation, lest the purpose of God fail, is to be given to others who are adopted." If God stopped with no longer offering the Kingdom per His covenant promise, we would have a huge...

In Proposition 58, George Peters states: "Jesus, toward the close of His ministry, preached that the Kingdom was not nigh." Peters notes that at the end of the ministry of Jesus, in particular right before the events that led to his death, the message regarding the...

In Proposition 57, George Peters states: "This Kingdom was offered to the Jewish nation, but the nation rejected it." From the larger perspective, when we look at the nation during the time of Jesus, it is clear the leadership and many of the people rejected the...

In Proposition 56, George Peters states: "The Kingdom was not established during the ministry of Christ." Peters noted earlier that the Kingdom was not established during the ministry of John the Baptist even though John declared the Kingdom was at hand. The Messiah...

In Proposition 55, George Peters states: "It was necessary that Jesus and His disciples should at first preach the Kingdom as night to the Jewish nation." We covered this proposition to large degree in the previous post. It makes perfect sense and thus it was...

In Proposition 54, George Peters states: "The preaching of the Kingdom by John, Jesus, and the disciples, was confined to the Jewish nation." With this type of statement, some will be tempted to go down the road to declare the message of the Kingdom was solely for the...

In Proposition 53, George Peters states: "The genealogies of our Lord form an important link in the comprehension of this Kingdom." Ahh...those genealogies. Raise your hand if you skip past those sections of Scripture. I admit my hand is raised (at least after I typed...

In Proposition 52, George Peters states: "The promises pertaining to the Kingdom, as given in the covenants, will be strictly fulfilled." Covenants follow very strict rules and requirements on the part of both parties. The covenants made by God, in particular the ones...

In Proposition 51, George Peters states: "The relation that the Kingdom sustains to "the covenants of promise," enables us to appreciate the prophecies pertaining to the Kingdom." If the doctrine of the Kingdom hinges on the covenants of promise in their totality,...

In Proposition 50, George Peters states: "The Kingdom will be the outgrowth of the renewed Abrahamic covenant, under which renewal we now live." Peters already established the reality that the Kingdom, when fully implemented, will be a renewal of the Abrahamic...

In Proposition 49, George Peters states: "The covenants being in Revelation, the foundation of the Kingdom, must first be received and appreciated." Now by the word "Revelation", Peters is not referring to the Revelation of John found at the conclusion of Scripture....

In Proposition 48, George Peters states: "The Kingdom being based on the covenants, the covenants must be carefully examined, and (Prop. 4) the literal language of the same must be maintained." Seems simple enough right, yet so many fail to recognize the important...

In Proposition 47, George Peters states: "The Jews had the strongest possible assurance given to them that the Kingdom based on those covenants would be realized." Their assurance was rooted in the fact that God keeps His covenant promises. An oath was a serious...

In Proposition 46, George Peters states: "The Kingdom anticipated by the Jews at the First Advent is based on the Abrahamic and Davidic Covenants." This proposition is somewhat of another restatement by Peters and again a necessary one given he is now interacting with...

In Proposition 45, George Peters states: "The phrases 'Kingdom of heaven,' 'Kingdom of God,' 'Kingdom of Christ', etc., denote the same Kingdom." This proposition is a restatement of earlier propositions from Peters. It seems necessary at this juncture in his argument...

In Proposition 44, George Peters states: "The preaching of the Kingdom, being in accordance with that of the predicted Kingdom, raised no controversy between the Jews and Jesus, or between the Jews and His disciples and apostles." We typically think of the message...

In Proposition 43, George Peters states: "The disciples sent forth by Jesus to preach this Kingdom were not ignorant of the meaning to be attached to the Kingdom." This proposition is a logical extension of a previous one made by Peters regarding John the Baptist. If...

In Proposition 42, George Peters states: "Jesus Christ, in His early ministry, preached that the Kingdom of God was nigh at hand." This particular observation is rooted in passages such as Matthew 4:17 where Jesus declared, "From that time on Jesus began to preach,...

In Proposition 41, George Peters states: "The Kingdom was not established under John's ministry." As we look at the message declared by John the Baptist as well as the period of his ministry, it is readily apparent the Kingdom, in particular the fullness of it, has...

In Proposition 40, George Peters states: "The hearers of John believed that he preached to them the Kingdom predicted by the Prophets, and in the sense held by themselves." Peters, in this proposition, is hearkening back to early propositions while using the example...

In Proposition 39, George Peters states: "John the Baptist was not ignorant of the Kingdom that he preached." This seems like a rather obvious proposition to make; however, it is apparent that some believe John the Baptist preached something and urgent people to...

In Proposition 38, George Peters states: "John the Baptist preached that this Kingdom, predicted by the Prophets, was "nigh at hand." Being the forerunner of the Messiah, John the Baptist was the one called by God to prepare the way for the Messiah. The message was...

In Proposition 37, George Peters states: "The Kingdom, thus predicted and promised, was not in existence when the Forerunner of Jesus appeared." What Peters is proposing here is that the church did not replace Israel or take the place of the Davidic Kingdom. He is of...

In Proposition 36, George Peters states: "The Prophets, with one voice, describe this one Kingdom, thus restored, in terms expressive of the most glorious additions." In the promise of the return to the Garden outlined in Scripture, it is clear that the kingdom will...

In Proposition 35, George Peters states: "The Prophets describe but one Kingdom." Peters builds on his previous proposition, more specifically stating here that there is but a single Kingdom, the Theocracy. While the Davidic Kingdom was certainly in existence and that...

In Proposition 34, George Peters states: "The Prophets describe this restored Kingdom, its extension, glory, etc., without distinguishing between the First and Second Advents." This proposition is an interesting one and a statement I honestly had to think about for a...

In Proposition 33, George Peters states: "The Prophets, some even before the Captivity, foreseeing the overthrow of the Kingdom, both foretell its downfall and its final restoration." As Peters has noted in this proposition, God, through His prophets, not only...

In Proposition 32, George Peters states: "This Theocratic Kingdom, thus incorporated with the Davidic, is removed when the Davidic Kingdom is overthrown." Upon the exile of Israel and Judah into captivity, the Davidic kingdom had been overthrown. Thus, the...

In Proposition 31, George Peters states: "This Theocracy or Kingdom was identified with the Davidic Kingdom." This is another undeniable fact. God made a covenant with David and the Messiah was stated to come from the line of David. Peters notes the Davidic and...

In Proposition 30, George Peters states: "The Prophets, however, without specifying the manner of introduction, predict that the Gentiles shall participate in the blessings of this Theocracy or Kingdom." This is something for which we should continually thank God. He...

In Proposition 29, George Peters states: "This Theocracy or Kingdom is exclusively given to the natural descendants of Abraham, in their corporate capacity." Peters reiterates in this proposition points he had been driving home already, namely that the people of God,...

In Proposition 28, George Peters states: "God makes the Jewish King subordinate to His own Theocracy." Despite the yearning by Israel for a human ruler like that of the other nations and God within His divine plan making that request happen, God is still the King. As...

In Proposition 27, George Peters states: "The demand of the nation for an earthly king was a virtual abandonment of this Theocratic Kingdom by the nation." If you recall, Israel had been led by God from the calling of Abraham as the father of the nation, through their...

In Proposition 26, George Peters states: "The Theocracy thus instituted would have been permanently established, if the people, in their national capacity, had been faithful in obedience." The covenant promises made by God to Israel were intimately connected to...

In Proposition 25, George Peters states: "The Theocracy was an earnest, introductory, or initiatory form of this Kingdom." What Peters means by the "Theocracy" is the nation of Israel to include the various legal regulations of that time. These included the ceremonial...

In Proposition 24, George Peters states: "The Kingdom is offered to an elect nation, viz.: The Jewish nation." There can be no argument against this Proposition; however, its application regarding the doctrine of the kingdom is quite profound. If we are to lay claim...

In Proposition 23, George Peters states: "There must be some substantial reason why the phrases "Kingdom of God", etc., were thus adopted." This is certainly a valid proposition as after all, words in Scripture matter. God did not just randomly select a phrase or...

In Proposition 22, George Peters states: "John the Baptist, Jesus, and the disciples, employed the phrases "Kingdom of heaven," "Kingdom of God," etc., in accordance with the usage of the Jews." Peters continues to build on the necessary foundation of how we are to...

In Proposition 21, George Peters states: "The Prophecies of the Kingdom, interpreted literally, sustain the expectations and hopes of the pious Jews." Place yourself in the shoes (or sandals in this case) of the Jewish people while they were in exile. They had been...

In Proposition 20, George Peters states: "To comprehend the subject of the kingdom, it is necessary to notice the belief and the expectations of the more pious portion of the Jews." What Peters is noting here is the need to note the differences in expectation of the...

In Proposition 19, George Peters states: "The New Testament begins the announcement of the kingdom in terms expressive of its being previously well known." Arguably, this is a proposition many might not have thought about. There is no explanation of the kingdom or a...

In Proposition 18, George Peters states: "The prophecies relating to the establishment of the Kingdom of God are both conditioned and unconditioned." This may seem like somewhat of a contradictory or confusing proposition at first, but let's think about this one for a...

In Proposition 17, George Peters states: "Without study of the prophecies, no adequate idea can be obtained of the kingdom." This is an important point Peters is proposing. He has previously noted the connection between the Old and New Testaments, some issues...

In Proposition 16, George Peters states: "This kingdom cannot be properly comprehended without acknowledging an intimate and internal connection existing between the Old and New Testaments." This is a truly important proposition. Far too many view the front and back...

In Proposition 15, George Peters states: "The doctrine of the kingdom can become better understood and appreciated." This is truly one of the reasons Peters wrote his treatise. There is a great need, both in his day and continuing to the current time, to grasp this...

In Proposition 14, George Peters states: "Some things pertaining to the kingdom not so easily comprehended as many suppose." Once again it seems somethings just never change. Apparently back in 1884, Peters noted something that still happens today, namely the attempt...

In Proposition 13, George Peters states: "Some things pertaining to the kingdom, intentionally revealed somewhat obscurely." Peters again builds on what he has been stating over the past couple of propositions, here noting that not all things have been revealed...

In Proposition 12, George Peters states: "There is some mystery yet connected with the things of the kingdom." This proposition was alluded to in our discussion of proposition 11. It is a fact that not all things in God's divine plan have taken place. Thus, there are...

In Proposition 11, George Peters states: "The mysteries of the kingdom were given to the apostles." Peters avers that such a proposition is derived from passages such as Mark 4:11 and Matthew 13:11 which state "To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God,...

In Proposition 10, George Peters states: "This kingdom should be studied in the light of the Holy Scriptures, and not merely in that of creeds, confessions, formulas of doctrine, etc." This is giant pet peeve of mine as there is a great tendency, most notably among...

In Proposition 9, George Peters states: "The nature of, and the things pertaining to the kingdom, can only be ascertained within the limits of Scripture." This proposition is intimately connected with proposition 5 in which Peters declared that the doctrine of the...

In Proposition 7, George Peters states: "The kingdom being a manifestation of the supernatural, miracles are connected with it." I am enjoying the flow of Peters' argument thus far as he is building slowly but surely on his propositions, establishing a theological and...

In Proposition 6, George Peters states: "The kingdom of heaven is intimately connected with the supernatural." This is yet another simple yet profoundly important statement. While the kingdom as previously noted by Peters has as its location earth, it is also...

In Proposition 5, George Peters states: "The doctrine of the kingdom is based on the inspiration of the Word of God." This is a short yet important statement to make. After all, Peters has declared the importance of this doctrine and how it is rooted in Scripture....

In Proposition 4, George Peters states: "The literal, grammatical interpretation of the Scriptures must (connected with the figurative, tropical, or rhetorical) be observed in order to obtain a correct understanding of this kingdom." With this proposition, Peters...

In Proposition 3, George Peters states: "The meanings usually given to this kingdom indicate that the most vague, indefinite notions exist concerning it." I find this true regarding a number of theological terms, perhaps most notably the recent focus on naming...