What is the Kingdom Culture?

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Moderator: I hope this is in the right place. If it needs to be moved to another place, please feel free to move it to a better place.

We are called to be ambassadors of Christ. An ambassador represents another country while sojourning in a foreign land. The Kingdom culture resides in every born again believer because the King of the culture resides in our hearts, but that does not mean it is being expressed in the world. In my opinion, the Kingdom culture is only partially displayed to the world . My interest in posting this thread is to stimulate discussion to help clarify what this really means.

When I say that the Kingdom culture is only partially displayed, I mean that two factors inhibit its display.

First is the long process of renewing our minds so that we may be transformed. The influence of the world, sin and Satan upon us interferes with a clear display of the Kingdom culture in believers.

Second is the world system imposed upon the body of Christ through the clergy system. I suppose many will disagree with this point, but making money off the Gospel, while allowed, is not the Kingdom way, in my opinion.

Two definitions should be considered.

First is "kingdom", which means the dominion of the King. The word, "king", in English has its root in the word cane, which was used as a yardstick. In other words, the King sets the standard for the kingdom by which one measures ones behavior.

Second is "culture", which has a mixed etymology. It refers to farming and the rotating of the ground to grow crops. Its root comes from the Latin "colere" which means "to tend, guard; to till, cultivate". In the 16th century it was used in the sense "to cultivate through education" and in the 19th century it was used to mean "collective customs and achievements of a people". When we think of religious cults it is rooted in the same history.

In a practical sense all congregations are "cults", not in the evil sense the word connotes today, but in the sense every people group determine what is acceptable Christian behavior. However, that does not mean it matches the culture of the Kingdom of God. Every church organization has a hierarchical structure, which is justified by proof texting.

When I consider how the King has related to me, I don't see the hierarchy. And, I am sure most will disagree with me on this, but I view the Kingdom culture a as Monarchical anarchy, which sounds like a contradiction. What I mean by that phrase is that God our king is the only being that can communicate directly to His children simultaneously and all at once. I don't mean rebellion as the word anarchy connotes today, but simply without hierarchy. Hierarchy is necessary for limited beings who need a chain of command to control others to accomplish tasks. Not so with God.

Jesus said his yoke is easy and his burden is light. He said the greatest in the kingdom will be least of all and servant to all. The hierarchy of church organizations are the opposite of what he said. Jesus said call no man master, for there is only one, our Father in heaven who is our master. The church system exalts men with degrees which is the world system, and an artificial separation between "clergy" and "laity" has been created, when Peter says we are a royal priesthood.

Let me repeat. The kingdom culture is in every church organization that has born again believers because the King is in every born again believer, but these elements of the world mask that culture and I am asking for help in teasing it out. If you understand my request, please let me know what you think, too.
 
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yeshuaslavejeff

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Perhaps ....
visit a medical tent in a third world country , being used for deliveries (births).

See the awe and wonder and joyfulness of new life.
See a brand new baby , best yet when held in his mother's arms....

Then see one still born.

Can anyone tell the difference ? (between a living baby, and one that is still born)
 
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AlexDTX

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Perhaps ....
visit a medical tent in a third world country , being used for deliveries (births).

See the awe and wonder and joyfulness of new life.
See a brand new baby , best yet when held in his mother's arms....

Then see one still born.

Can anyone tell the difference ? (between a living baby, and one that is still born)
Are you making a comparison between those who are alive in Christ and those who are still dead in their trespasses and sins?
 
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yeshuaslavejeff

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Are you making a comparison between those who are alive in Christ and those who are still dead in their trespasses and sins?
< shrugs > 'comparison'/ 'analogy'/ 'parable'/ whatever.....

whenever I see someone born again by the will of the Father in heaven,
the difference is immediately seen and recognized by all those around them.

Daily wherever they go, at home, at work, or at school, or at the river, at the park, at the zoo, at the grocery store or laundromat, people around them see the difference. No big surprise at this. They are LIGHTS in the world of darkness. From the moment they are born again, by YHWH'S Doing, in line with all the testimony of Jesus throughout the New Testament. (all the ekklesia described ) ...
 
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AlexDTX

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< shrugs > 'comparison'/ 'analogy'/ 'parable'/ whatever.....

whenever I see someone born again by the will of the Father in heaven,
the difference is immediately seen and recognized by all those around them.

Daily wherever they go, at home, at work, or at school, or at the river, at the park, at the zoo, at the grocery store or laundromat, people around them see the difference. No big surprise at this. They are LIGHTS in the world of darkness. From the moment they are born again, by YHWH'S Doing, in line with all the testimony of Jesus throughout the New Testament. (all the ekklesia described ) ...
Yes, by the Spirit we shall know them. But I am seeking practical characteristics. It may seem obvious, but I find listing and logging things helps clarify my mind.
 
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yeshuaslavejeff

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Yes, by the Spirit we shall know them. But I am seeking practical characteristics. It may seem obvious, but I find listing and logging things helps clarify my mind.
Even unbelievers, observing,
can and do see the difference when someone is alive in Christ.

For the description of the differences, see the very numerous references in the New Testament telling how the ekklesia lived, new in Christ,
starting in ACTS,
and including but not limited to EPHESIANS, GALATIANS, THESSALONIANS, PHILIPPIANS, TIMOTHY, and REVELATION.

Straight from the WORD of YHWH. (not from man's descriptions nor traditions nor observations , except as and when they line up with YHWH'S WORD.)
 
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AlexDTX

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Even unbelievers, observing,
can and do see the difference when someone is alive in Christ.

For the description of the differences, see the very numerous references in the New Testament telling how the ekklesia lived, new in Christ,
starting in ACTS,
and including but not limited to EPHESIANS, GALATIANS, THESSALONIANS, PHILIPPIANS, TIMOTHY, and REVELATION.

Straight from the WORD of YHWH. (not from man's descriptions nor traditions nor observations , except as and when they line up with YHWH'S WORD.)
Thank you. I know of the Bible verses. However, even that tends to be interpreted from a natural mindset, especially regarding the gathering of the saints.
 
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We are called to be ambassadors of Christ. An ambassador represents another country while sojourning in a foreign land. The Kingdom culture resides in every born again believer because the King of the culture resides in our hearts, but that does not mean it is being expressed in the world. In my opinion, the Kingdom culture is only partially displayed to the world . My interest in posting this thread is to stimulate discussion to help clarify what this really means.

When I say that the Kingdom culture is only partially displayed, I mean that two factors inhibit its display.

First is the long process of renewing our minds so that we may be transformed. The influence of the world, sin and Satan upon us interferes with a clear display of the Kingdom culture in believers.

Second is the world system imposed upon the body of Christ through the clergy system. I suppose many will disagree with this point, but making money off the Gospel, while allowed, is not the Kingdom way, in my opinion.

Two definitions should be considered.

First is "kingdom", which means the dominion of the King. The word, "king", in English has its root in the word cane, which was used as a yardstick. In other words, the King sets the standard for the kingdom by which one measures ones behavior.

Second is "culture", which has a mixed etymology. It refers to farming and the rotating of the ground to grow crops. Its root comes from the Latin "colere" which means "to tend, guard; to till, cultivate". In the 16th century it was used in the sense "to cultivate through education" and in the 19th century it was used to mean "collective customs and achievements of a people". When we think of religious cults it is rooted in the same history.

In a practical sense all congregations are "cults", not in the evil sense the word connotes today, but in the sense every people group determine what is acceptable Christian behavior. However, that does not mean it matches the culture of the Kingdom of God. Every church organization has a hierarchical structure, which is justified by proof texting.

When I consider how the King has related to me, I don't see the hierarchy. And, I am sure most will disagree with me on this, but I view the Kingdom culture a as Monarchical anarchy, which sounds like a contradiction. What I mean by that phrase is that God our king is the only being that can communicate directly to His children simultaneously and all at once. I don't mean rebellion as the word anarchy connotes today, but simply without hierarchy. Hierarchy is necessary for limited beings who need a chain of command to control others to accomplish tasks. Not so with God.

Jesus said his yoke is easy and his burden is light. He said the greatest in the kingdom will be least of all and servant to all. The hierarchy of church organizations are the opposite of what he said. Jesus said call no man master, for there is only one, our Father in heaven who is our master. The church system exalts men with degrees which is the world system, and an artificial separation between "clergy" and "laity" has been created, when Peter says we are a royal priesthood.

Let me repeat. The kingdom culture is in every church organization that has born again believers because the King is in every born again believer, but these elements of the world mask that culture and I am asking for help in teasing it out. If you understand my request, please let me know what you think, too.
Thanks for this posting this thread Alex. I agree with the OP's surmise. One of the ways that can be listed in scripture is in the parables that Jesus taught.

Matthew 24:43-44
Homeowners never know when a thief is coming, and they are always on guard to keep one from breaking in.
Always be ready! You don’t know when the Son of Man will come.​

The kingdom and the culture is guarded by the parousia, without which cardboard castles will fall. The house of faith can be seen as the interior work of the believers. We are the masters of our own house. The keepers of our temples.

Hebrews 3:6
but Christ, as Son over his house, whose house are we, if indeed we hold fast the boldness and the boast of hope firm to the end.
Mark 13:34
it's as a man gone out of the country, having left his house and given to his bondmen the authority, and to each one his work, and commanded the doorkeeper that he should watch.
Matthew 7:24
Whoever therefore hears these my words and does them, I will liken him to a prudent man, who built his house upon the rock;​

Does it seem odd that in this parable Christ Himself typifies the thief?

1 Thessalonians 5:2
for ye know perfectly well yourselves, that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief by night.
2 Peter 3:10
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a rushing noise, and the elements, burning with heat, shall be dissolved, and the earth and the works in it shall be burnt up.
Revelation 3:3
Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and keep it and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come upon thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know at what hour I shall come upon thee.
Revelation 16:15
Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watches and keeps his garments, that he may not walk naked, and that they may not see his shame.​

The Lord, unlike a common thief, has announced His arrival and comes not to cause loss but to cause a blessing. What is reinforced in the parable is that He may come at any time. I think we all are aware of when our own deeply guarded house has been broken into by the Lord. Even the foundations have been shaken and with fear and trembling we have had to rebuild on higher truths.
 
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AlexDTX

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Thanks for this posting this thread Alex. I agree with the OP's surmise. One of the ways that can be listed in scripture is in the parables that Jesus taught.

Matthew 24:43-44
Homeowners never know when a thief is coming, and they are always on guard to keep one from breaking in.
Always be ready! You don’t know when the Son of Man will come.​

The kingdom and the culture is guarded by the parousia, without which cardboard castles will fall. The house of faith can be seen as the interior work of the believers. We are the masters of our own house. The keepers of our temples.

Hebrews 3:6
but Christ, as Son over his house, whose house are we, if indeed we hold fast the boldness and the boast of hope firm to the end.
Mark 13:34
it's as a man gone out of the country, having left his house and given to his bondmen the authority, and to each one his work, and commanded the doorkeeper that he should watch.
Matthew 7:24
Whoever therefore hears these my words and does them, I will liken him to a prudent man, who built his house upon the rock;​

Does it seem odd that in this parable Christ Himself typifies the thief?

1 Thessalonians 5:2
for ye know perfectly well yourselves, that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief by night.
2 Peter 3:10
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a rushing noise, and the elements, burning with heat, shall be dissolved, and the earth and the works in it shall be burnt up.
Revelation 3:3
Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and keep it and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come upon thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know at what hour I shall come upon thee.
Revelation 16:15
Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watches and keeps his garments, that he may not walk naked, and that they may not see his shame.​

The Lord, unlike a common thief, has announced His arrival and comes not to cause loss but to cause a blessing. What is reinforced in the parable is that He may come at any time. I think we all are aware of when our own deeply guarded house has been broken into by the Lord. Even the foundations have been shaken and with fear and trembling we have had to rebuild on higher truths.
Cassia,
Thank you for your response. I posted it several weeks ago, and you are the first to comment. I think the topic is important because I think many who believe they are following Christ will discover they are following an artificial culture that serves the organizations more than serving Christ. But it is apparent that most of the people on the forum are more interested in arguing their favorite doctrine then in truly understanding the Kingdom of God. Blessings to you.
 
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We are called to be ambassadors of Christ. An ambassador represents another country while sojourning in a foreign land. The Kingdom culture resides in every born again believer because the King of the culture resides in our hearts, but that does not mean it is being expressed in the world. In my opinion, the Kingdom culture is only partially displayed to the world . My interest in posting this thread is to stimulate discussion to help clarify what this really means.
A very good topic indeed.
When I say that the Kingdom culture is only partially displayed, I mean that two factors inhibit its display.
First is the long process of renewing our minds so that we may be transformed. The influence of the world, sin and Satan upon us interferes with a clear display of the Kingdom culture in believers.
Those 3 influences satan, world and self are imo what overcoming is all about. We may be in the state of being sanctified but the final result is in the overcoming as pointed out in Revelation 2-Revelation 3
Second is the world system imposed upon the body of Christ through the clergy system. I suppose many will disagree with this point, but making money off the Gospel, while allowed, is not the Kingdom way, in my opinion
Jesus states that clearly Matthew 20:25-27
Two definitions should be considered.
First is "kingdom", which means the dominion of the King. The word, "king", in English has its root in the word cane, which was used as a yardstick. In other words, the King sets the standard for the kingdom by which one measures ones behavior.
Second is "culture", which has a mixed etymology. It refers to farming and the rotating of the ground to grow crops. Its root comes from the Latin "colere" which means "to tend, guard; to till, cultivate". In the 16th century it was used in the sense "to cultivate through education" and in the 19th century it was used to mean "collective customs and achievements of a people". When we think of religious cults it is rooted in the same history.
Personnally I believe that culture as a mixed bag is different with every person depending on a lifetime of experiences. Each has it's own filtering system with which to view the world.
In a practical sense all congregations are "cults", not in the evil sense the word connotes today, but in the sense every people group determine what is acceptable Christian behavior. However, that does not mean it matches the culture of the Kingdom of God. Every church organization has a hierarchical structure, which is justified by proof texting.
It's also very specific about what your conscience allows. Galatians 5:13, 1 Peter 2:15-17, John 8:32
We have progressed out of law, as law was a governor to our lusts. Yet the New Testament still speaks of milk vs meat. It's all relevant.
When I consider how the King has related to me, I don't see the hierarchy. And, I am sure most will disagree with me on this, but I view the Kingdom culture a as Monarchical anarchy, which sounds like a contradiction. What I mean by that phrase is that God our king is the only being that can communicate directly to His children simultaneously and all at once. I don't mean rebellion as the word anarchy connotes today, but simply without hierarchy. Hierarchy is necessary for limited beings who need a chain of command to control others to accomplish tasks. Not so with God.
]Anything less is usurping God's authority. Only in reflecting His command in His Name only thru the anointing of the Holy Spirit can it be deemed true teaching. Hebrews 6:1-2, Romans 15:4, Colossians 3:16, 1 John 2:27, Matthew 28:20, Luke 6:40
Jesus said his yoke is easy and his burden is light. He said the greatest in the kingdom will be least of all and servant to all. The hierarchy of church organizations are the opposite of what he said. Jesus said call no man master, for there is only one, our Father in heaven who is our master. The church system exalts men with degrees which is the world system, and an artificial separation between "clergy" and "laity" has been created, when Peter says we are a royal priesthood.
A royal priesthood is the original intention of God when leading His people out of Egypt. But at the giving of the 10 commandments that deal with love of God and neighbor the people were representing themselves with a golden calf as that which led them out. Hence the multifaceted law was given. Old testament examples are for us today. Romans 15:4
Peter states that as a the new kingdom of priests we are to fit as living stones into the New Jerusalem. Galatians 4:26, Revelation 21:2, 1 Peter 2:4-6
Let me repeat. The kingdom culture is in every church organization that has born again believers because the King is in every born again believer, but these elements of the world mask that culture and I am asking for help in teasing it out. If you understand my request, please let me know what you think, too.
What other ways would you "tease it out"?
 
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yeshuaslavejeff

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In my opinion, the Kingdom culture is only partially displayed to the world . My interest in posting this thread is to stimulate discussion to help clarify what this really means.
Remember Jesus said to His disciples something like 'you (disciples immersed in My Name, abiding in My Word, born again, set apart by My Father Himself for Himself and for His Own Purpose) are ALREADY IN THE KINGDOM. Start acting (living) like it.'

LIkewise today, around the world in little groups here and there, 2 or 3 or more gathered in Jesus Name to talk about Him daily or as often as YHWH orchestrates,
they ARE ALREADY IN THE KINGDOM, living the life of CHRIST.

Even where the 'communist' or other dangerous and oppressive rulers don't want them, they are living by faith, as YHWH'S WORD says to,
they are following JESUS, wherever He Goes (even unto death),
they are living blameless lives as described throughout the NT,
they have overcome by the testimony of Jesus in their lives, and by the blood of the Lamb Who was slain.
 
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Remember Jesus said to His disciples something like 'you (disciples immersed in My Name, abiding in My Word, born again, set apart by My Father Himself for Himself and for His Own Purpose) are ALREADY IN THE KINGDOM. Start acting (living) like it.'

LIkewise today, around the world in little groups here and there, 2 or 3 or more gathered in Jesus Name to talk about Him daily or as often as YHWH orchestrates,
they ARE ALREADY IN THE KINGDOM, living the life of CHRIST.

Even where the 'communist' or other dangerous and oppressive rulers don't want them, they are living by faith, as YHWH'S WORD says to,
they are following JESUS, wherever He Goes (even unto death),
they are living blameless lives as described throughout the NT,
they have overcome by the testimony of Jesus in their lives, and by the blood of the Lamb Who was slain.
True, the kingdom is already here, but not completely. By the way, your posts read like the amplified Bible. My interest in this thread was to compare what the kingdom culture is in contrast to how it is suppressed by churchianity and the world.
 
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Just a note on Mystery and Ambassadors

Colossians 2:2
That their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love and unto all the riches of the full assurance of understanding, unto the full knowledge of the mystery of God, Christ,​

Emotions of love for God as the mystery is revealed. Knowledge that is one with the mind of Christ. Eventually that will result in the full knowledge of Christ.

Ephesians 3:9-12
..to shed light for all about the administration of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things. This is so God’s multi-faceted wisdom may now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavens. This is according to His eternal purpose accomplished in the Messiah, Jesus our Lord. In Him we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.​

That which is unsearchable means that it's untraceable, previously not made known. These are not doctrines. They are announcements of His riches for us, His Body; Christ as light, truth, life, holiness, righteousness. Things He has for us, the accounts of what He has attained for us.

Paul deemed himself to be the least to receive the grace to be an ambassador of the mystery. Paul's gift was unique but the grace to achieve maturity is for all.

Ephesians 2:4-8
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! Together with Christ Jesus He also raised us up and seated us in the heavens, so that in the coming ages He might display the immeasurable riches of His grace through His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—​
 
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