Jarrel - Baptist Church Perpetuity - Landmark Baptist

Testament, means the aggregate of the churches, just as any kingdom means
the aggregate of f18 its provinces — or countries of which it is composed. A
kingdom includes the unorganized part of its geographical territory. In the
New Testament, likewise, the term kingdom may include regenerate persons
who have been misled so as to have never united with any of the churches or
organized parts of the kingdom. Such an instance is Revelation 18:4, where
Christians are exorted to come out of the Romish church. But, in no instance,
either politically or ecclesiastically, can the application of the term kingdom to
the organized localities, or parts, exclude the organized as necessary to the
kingdom.
W. M.F. Warren, D.D., President of Boston University, Methodist:
“The Christian Church is the kingdom of God, viewed in its objective or
institutional form.” f19
“In an earlier period this kingdom was identified with the church. … The
Protestants regarded it … as the Christian institution of salvation.” f20
Barnes: The kingdom means
“the state of things, which the Messiah was to set up — his spiritual reign
began in the church on earth, and completed in heaven.’” f21
Neander, while stating that the kingdom is used in other sense, — which, by
the way, can easily be included in the one he mentions — says:
“The idea of the Church of Christ is closely connected in the views of Paul
with that of the kingdom of God.” f22
“At the time of which we are speaking, the church comprised the whole
visible form of the kingdom of God.” f23
Andrew Fuller regards the kingdom and the church indissoluble when he says:
“If the nature of Christ’s kingdom were placed in those things in which the
Apostles placed it, the government and discipline of the church would be
considered as means not as ends.” f24
G. W. Clarke:
“This kingdom, reign, or administration of the Messiah is spiritual in its
nature ( John 18:36; Romans 14:17) and is exercised over and has its
seat in the hearts of believers. — Luke 17:21. It exists on earth
( Matthew 13:18, 19, 41, 47) extends to another state of existence
( Matthew 13:43, 26, 29; Philippians 2:10, 11) and will be fully
consummated in a state of glory ( 1 Corinthians 15:24; Matthew 8:11;
2 Peter 1:11). It thus embraces the whole mediatorial reign or government
of Christ on earth and in heaven, and includes in its subjects all the re-