Setting aside detailed historical debates, our study over the past two and a half months has helped us reflect on an important question: How does one enter the Kingdom of God?
In the teaching of Jesus, the Kingdom of God was not merely a future hope but a present reality. With his ministry, the reign of God was proclaimed as already breaking into history. Entering the Kingdom, therefore, means accepting God’s rule in one’s life — acknowledging God as King and aligning oneself with His will.
To reject God’s reign is, in biblical language, to remain under the power of sin and evil. Rather than framing this simply as “accepting Satan’s rule,” it may be clearer to say that one continues in ways that are contrary to God’s purposes.
According to Jesus, those who enter the Kingdom of God must live according to his teachings. He revealed God as a loving Father and called people to repentance, trust, reconciliation, forgiveness, and love — even love for enemies. To enter the Kingdom is not merely to hold certain beliefs, but to live in transformed relationship with God and with others.
As Christian history unfolded, increasing emphasis was placed not only on the teachings of Jesus but also on beliefs about his identity — that he is the Messiah (Christ), that he is uniquely one with God, and that through his death and resurrection God acted decisively for the salvation of the world. Over time, these beliefs were expressed in creeds and theological doctrines. Different interpretations emerged, and disagreements over doctrine contributed to divisions within the Christian Church.
At the same time, these doctrinal developments were also attempts by early Christians to understand and faithfully express their experience of Jesus. The diversity of interpretations reflects both the richness and the complexity of Christian reflection across cultures and centuries.
From our study, one important insight emerges: if Christian communities can engage in humble dialogue, distinguish between the core message of Jesus and later theological formulations, and rediscover the centrality of his teachings on love, mercy, justice, and reconciliation, greater unity may become possible. Unity may not require uniformity of interpretation, but a shared commitment to living out the spirit of Jesus’ message.
This information came out of a group whatsapp study in 2025-26
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