Entering the Kingdom

The gospel of the kingdom was the passion of Jesus. From the beginning of His ministry, Jesus preached and taught the gospel of the kingdom. The 40 days after His death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus continued speaking of the kingdom, until He was taken up into heaven. (Acts 1:1-9)

When Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, came to Jesus,

"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." - John 3:5 KJV

On the day that Jesus was taken up to heaven,

"They asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you..." - Acts 1:6-8 KJV

The beginning of God’s kingdom was about to come.

"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." - Acts 2:1-4 KJV

Devout Jews from every nation were present for the holy day of Pentecost.

"We do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?  Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine." - Acts 2:11-13 KJV

That day, Peter preached the gospel of the kingdom. (Acts 2:14-36).

To make clear exactly how to enter the kingdom (water and Spirit), Jesus had told Peter that He would give him the keys of the kingdom. (Matthew 16:19).

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38 KJV