tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8794452.post2585121643946362042..comments2024-03-28T08:21:01.634-05:00Comments on The Faith Log: Already Begun, Not Yet DoneJeff Doleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06582602841064840774noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8794452.post-3783501460786578092012-09-28T10:31:27.904-05:002012-09-28T10:31:27.904-05:00Matthew's special use of the kingdom of "...Matthew's special use of the kingdom of "heaven" portrays that kingdom already beginning at Jesus' baptism: the heavens open and the Spirit descends on Jesus, anointing him as the new king; a voice from heaven affirms he is the son who pleases his Father; the kingdom of (and from) the heavens has begun; Jesus will rule in the power of the Spirit.<br /><br />When Jesus begins to teach his disciples in Mt. 5, he speaks a blessing on the poor in the Spirit, for theirs is (already) the kingdom of (and from) heaven. Yet so far Jesus is the only one who is led by the Spirit; the Spirit has led him into the desert to be hungry and tempted; he is the first and foremost "poor in the Spirit." In the future, John the Baptist has said Jesus will baptize with the Spirit; thus in Mt. 28 Jesus commissions his disciples to make new disciples, and baptize them in(to) the name (the presence and power) of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The book of Acts chronicles the beginning of this new international kingdom of disciples: filled with the Spirit they bear witness to the risen Lord (king) and suffer from the jealous lords of the earth; filled with the Spirit the poor apostles gather new disciples in homes, teaching them and enabling generosity in feeding those most destitute among them (especially the widows).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com