Charity
Clarity
Unity
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN BOARD
The International Christian Board (ICB) is described as a consulate, an office of God’s Consul. This Socio Devotional mission is usually subordinate to God’s main representation in the capital of all countries, typically an embassy. The term ”consulate” may refer not only to the consul’s office but also to the building occupied by the consul and the consul’s staff. The consulate may share premises with the embassy itself.
The International Christian Board is presented as an extraordinary weapon created by God in heaven and sent to Earth for world Christian unity. It was announced globally as ICB, with God declaring himself as almighty. In this, every Christian is portrayed as a partaker, a guide to fellow Christians, an example to the Gentiles, doing works similar to those of the Lord Jesus Christ, who came to Earth as the Savior. God’s mission is depicted as traveling worldwide and engaging in heavenly activities among all people.
ICB is depicted as having linkages with all countries, maintaining liaison offices globally, and being recognized as the World Council of Christian Unity. ICB members are referred to as ICB ambassadors, and those with leadership qualities are appointed as chief ambassadors to respective countries.
If we ask why the term “kingdom of God” or “kingdom of heaven” is prominent and explicit in the teachings of Jesus but much less so in the epistles (which is true), what should we say?
My suggestion is this: during the lifetime of Jesus, he was walking a very fine line between making himself known as the Son of God and the actual presence of the king himself, on the
one hand, and concealing himself from being taken and made to be an earthly king on the other hand (like they wanted to do in John 6).
They were ready to come and make him king. You recall how Jesus repeatedly told people not to tell others about what they had seen (Mathew 17:9; Mark 7:36). That’s because there would
be such a widespread misunderstanding about the nature of his kingship that a political revolt might happen as people try to sweep him on to the throne like in John 6.
No, he came to be crucified. That’s why he came. He came to die, not to be put on a throne yet. He would only be king through crucifixion and resurrection. The disciples could scarcely
comprehend that.
Trading the Throne
If we ask why the term “kingdom of God” or “kingdom of heaven” is prominent and explicit...
If we ask why the term “kingdom of God” or “kingdom of heaven” is prominent and explicit in the teachings of Jesus but much less so in the epistles (which is true), what should we say?
My suggestion is this: during the lifetime of Jesus, he was walking a very fine line between making himself known as the Son of God and the actual presence of the king himself, on the
one hand, and concealing himself from being taken and made to be an earthly king on the other hand (like they wanted to do in John 6).
They were ready to come and make him king. You recall how Jesus repeatedly told people not to tell others about what they had seen (Mathew 17:9; Mark 7:36). That’s because there would
be such a widespread misunderstanding about the nature of his kingship that a political revolt might happen as people try to sweep him on to the throne like in John 6.
No, he came to be crucified. That’s why he came. He came to die, not to be put on a throne yet. He would only be king through crucifixion and resurrection. The disciples could scarcely
comprehend that.
Greater works
Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater...
Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father (John 14:12).
I spent a whole year teaching on this verse not so long ago. It is Jesus’ mandate to us, to His disciples, to His church. It is the same mandate of kingdom authority which was originally given to Adam and Eve in the Garden, but which they lost.
That is why I am not just looking for us to get back to the level of power and authority which the disciples displayed in the book of Acts. The level of the supernatural power of God that Adam and Eve possessed was vastly superior to that. They would have been capable of supernatural manifestations way beyond anything we see in the early church. And if Jesus will remain in heaven until the restoration of all things (Acts 3:21), then we are going to see that level of power and authority restored.
The Risen One Is Lord
After the resurrection, it could be seen now with crystal clarity what the disciples couldn’t fathom during his lifetime...
After the resurrection, it could be seen now with crystal clarity what the disciples couldn’t fathom during his lifetime. Namely, the kingdom of God would be most gloriously revealed in a crucified and risen king. Therefore, the shift that happens in no way diminishes the importance of what was taught about the kingdom during the lifetime of Jesus. But it does shift. It does put the overwhelming emphasis now on the king himself as the crucified, risen Lord of the universe.
“‘Jesus is Lord’ is almost synonymous in the epistles with ‘the king has come.’”
The new emphasis, which is more explicit in the epistles, declares, “Jesus is Lord.” In fact, if you would have pressed me, I’d say “the kingdom has come” is almost synonymous with “Jesus is Lord.” Or to say it the other way round, “Jesus is Lord” is almost synonymous in the epistles with the kingdom — the reign — “the king has come.” It’s not just that he has come, he will come. I think we probably do well today to keep this in mind whenever we start to foreground the kingdom of God. Let’s make sure that our teaching has the flavor of the apostolic application of the reign of Jesus in the churches and in the world. It is the lordship of the crucified and risen Christ that should receive the emphasis today.
Freely give
As we go out with the message of this kingdom, we are to give away what we have received...
Freely you have received: freely give (Matt 10:8).
As we go out with the message of this kingdom, we are to give away what we have received. This encourages us to seek God for more manifestations of the supernatural in our own lives, because the more signs and wonders and supernatural manifestations of God’s power we have received, the more we can give away. Signs and wonders should overflow from our lives as we engage with God in the heavenly realms and live out that reality in our daily lives. One of the phrases God spoke to me while I was on the fast was about ‘living in and living out the manifest presence of God’.
The glory of God is no good to people if it is locked up inside us. It is time for us to shine. And I do believe we will literally shine, that our faces will glow with the radiance of God’s glory. It happened to Moses – it can happen again. And that will cause people to sit up and take notice.
We will find that when the shaking comes, as it will, then words will not be enough. We will need to be able to live demonstrating the truth by the manifestation of God’s kingdom. So we must get ready for that time, we must throw off all the idols, all the hurt and disappointment with which the enemy seeks to weigh us down. He is just trying to intimidate us, just trying to cause us to back off. We cannot allow that to happen.
Supernatural
The kingdom of God is a kingdom of power and supernatural manifestations. Jesus said that His kingdom is not of this world...
The kingdom of God is a kingdom of power and supernatural manifestations. Jesus said that His
kingdom is not of this world. That is because it is heaven being manifested on the earth:
… For He is the living God and enduring forever, And His kingdom is one which will not
be destroyed, And His dominion will be forever. He delivers and rescues and performs
signs and wonders In heaven and on earth… (Dan 6:26-27).
Hungry
We need to be increasingly hungry and thirsty to pursue God. We need to get everything going...
We need to be increasingly hungry and thirsty to pursue God. We need to get everything going, everything God has for us. When prayer and impartation are being offered, I always encourage people to come forward for everything. In a sense it doesn’t matter what it is! For myself, I always try to find a way I can fit into the category of people who are being called forward. I want more; I want everything there is which will empower me, prepare me and equip me to be manifested as a son of God, as a joint heir with Christ.
We need to grasp the reality of this : sons of God, joint heirs with Christ : that is what we are (Rom 8:14-17).
Honestly, I believe that is what it will be like when we are truly ‘living in and living out’ the supernatural kingdom of God.
What Is the Kingdom of God?
The kingdom of God, the spiritual realm where God reigns as king in the Christian context, represents the fulfilment God’s will on earth.This phrase is frequently mentioned in the New Testament, particularly in the first three gospels by Jesus Christ.
What Is the Kingdom of God? Understanding Its Meaning:
The kingdom of God, the spiritual realm where God reigns as king in the Christian context, represents the fulfillment of God’s will on earth. This phrase is frequently mentioned in the New Testament, particularly in the first three gospels by Jesus Christ.
The Kingdom of God is a recurring theme in both the Old and New Testaments, appearing over 70 times in the New Testament, with the Gospel of Matthew alone accounting for over 30 instances. Despite its prevalence, the meaning of this phrase can be perplexing for many Christians and non-Christians alike. If asked to define the Kingdom of God, would you know how to respond?
” The kingdom of God is not a human work of eating and drinking… but a mysterious work of the Holy Spirit of righteousness and peace. It is to be received in the pure spirit. It is to be enjoyed in the Holy Spirit” – Romans 14:17
Let’s delve into the original Greek and Hebrew meanings of the phrase, explore the various expressions used in the Bible, understand the significance of seeking first the Kingdom of God, and discover how to live and pray with the Kingdom of God in mind.
The Origin and Meaning of the Kingdom of God
From the time Jesus Christ came to establish his kingdom through the history of redemption and the entire church, a clear picture of the gospel emerges. According to Easton’s Bible Dictionary, the “kingdom of God” is mentioned in various scriptures in both the Old and New Testaments:
- Matthew 6:33, Mark 1:14-15, and Luke 4:43 refer to "the kingdom of Christ."
- Matthew 13:41 and 20:21 refer to the "kingdom of Christ and God."
- Ephesians 5:5 refers to the "kingdom of David."
- Mark 11:10 refers to "the kingdom."
- Matthew 3:2, 4:17, 8:12, 13:14, and 13:29 refer to the "kingdom of heaven."
Despite different wording, all these scriptures embody the same concept with distinct
aspects.
"Kingdom of God" Means...
1. The reign of Jesus Christ on earth and in heaven: Believing in all the works Jesus Christ did for us, accepting Him as our Lord, and trusting that He will return.
2. Jesus Christ’s presence in the world: Understanding and replicating the works of love, pity, mercy, and compassion through the Holy Bible, reflecting the actions of Jesus
Christ.
3. Cultivating love and mercy: To be worthy of living in the Kingdom of God, embracing God’s love, fostering unity, and living in peace and harmony with all.
How Important Is It to Understand the Kingdom of God?
John the Baptist emphasized it, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). Jesus Himself proclaimed, “The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe” (Matthew 4:17). Isaiah included it in his teaching on prayer, “Thy kingdom come” (Matthew 6:10). Understanding the Kingdom of God is crucial for eternal hope and continuous remembrance in God's presence, as highlighted in Isaiah’s covenant: “I will not drink again until the day when I drink new wine with all of you in the kingdom of God” (Mark 14:25). This understanding paves the way to the Kingdom of God.
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ICB,Hyderabad, Telangana.
+911234567890
contact@icb.com
Call Us
ICB,Hyderabad, Telangana.
+911234567890
contact@icb.com