Who Makes up the Kingdom?

    There are a lot of various titles in the religious world. This was never the intention of Jesus. In His prayer in John 17, Jesus prayed that his followers would be one. “For those also who believe Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.” (John 17:20-21) Division of the kingdom/body/church is wrong (1 Cor. 1:10). We certainly are not to divide ourselves over different men and carry their names, “Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” (1 Cor. 1:12-13) Those who are in the kingdom are to be priest (Rev. 1:6). Peter describes these priests extensively in 1 Peter 2:4-9 using various terms like “living stones, holy priesthood, a chosen race, and a holy nation.” He never mentions a single denominational name. We must strive to be more like the disciples of the first century, who were plainly called “Christians.” (Acts 11:26) Christ is the only name, according to scripture that we can wear, Eph. 3:14-15 “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.” Don’t wear a man made name and follow the traditions of men, for that is vanity toward God (Matt. 15:1-9). We should simply seek to deny self, and follow Christ only (Matt. 10:37-39). I love you all!
In His service,
Steven Hugley