God has ordained that the true church should “earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3).” As Jesus Christ’s representatives in this world; we preach and teach the Apostle’s Doctrine with authority and the (5) five fold ministry as spoken of in Ephesians 4:7-14.

There is a realization that the church is at the very center of God’s will, plan and purpose in the earth. God is working toward one eternal purpose throughout all eternity that is revealed in His Kingdom. It is very essential for us to understand the differences between the church and the kingdom. THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS GREATER THAN THE CHURCH. “ Is the Church Gentile and the Kingdom Jewish? Is the Kingdom material or is it spiritual? Is the Kingdom present, past or future? What relationship is the Kingdom with the Church?”

The summary of bible teaching ultimately will find expression in the Kingdom of God . The word “Kingdom” occurs over 50 times in New Testament alone. In almost each case, the kingdom indicates the royal reign of God. God is the King of His kingdom. In Matthew 6:9,10, the Lord teaches for us to pray ”His Kingdom Come, His will be done.”  We are to pray His Kingdom to come, that is the rule and reign of the King of kings to be recognized in his rule in the earth. The church is be an expression of the kingdom in the earth.

We read of the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven . Are these terms both the same or interchangeable? Cross references in the scriptures provides an answer to this question. “Thy Kingdom Come Volume I &II ” is a completion of the beginning study of defining the biblical approach to teachings concerning the kingdom of God . It is a biblical guide to leadership in church’s ministry. Written for a laymen understanding and study; the body of CICI & COGICUSA have certified it as a text book for church’s order and procedures.  You may find it very helpful as a teaching tool in bible classes or upon examination, it may prove supportive as a supplement to studies in Bible Colleges courses relating to church or the kingdom.

Visit web sites:      ccogicui.com  bishopayne.com       paynecollege.com     cogicusa.com  paynebiblecollege.com

One really does not completely know who the Honorable Dr. J. L. Payne is. He is a living legacy in the Pentecostal tradition and movement of the Apostle’s ministry and faith. For almost a half century, having exercised all the gifts in the five fold ministry, it became very apparent that scripture is fulfilled when it stated: “the church is a body’s ministry.”

There are no superstars or any single person to effect the completion of our Lord’s Kingdom work. We are called together as one in unity to work together. St. John chapter 17, says “so that they be one even as you and I are one.”

Bishop Payne believes that ‘oneness’ is the goal of the church. The Bishop believes that there is a powerful unveiling of Faith in positive preaching, teaching and praying in the “The Word Of God.” As Dr. Payne often quotes, “ we believe in living from the inside out, not totally horizontal but vertical, not by what we see but by faith. “We have power over all our circumstances.”

As a man of God, he gives leadership and the Apostle’s order in the church. In 1961, Bishop Payne was led to establish the New Testament’s Order of the church in Evangelism and established the first Soul Winner’s Conference in Hawaii , then on to California in 1965 and Memphis , Tennessee in 1968. Twenty years later, the COGIC, USA International Churches’ vision and foundation was set.

Bishop Payne believes that it is not buildings, money, positions, fame, whomever thinks they are the greatest in name or fame, that our Lord shall return for. Our Lord’s return is only for SOULS in the Kingdom.

It is about the salvation of souls. Reaching those souls and establishing God’s Kingdom, Foundation and Principles in the church. Dr. Bishop J. L. Payne, one of the original spiritual warriors of the Church of God in Christ.

If there is any one phase that would describes the Kingdom of God , it who undoubtedly be “The place where God rules and reigns.” God is the source of all knowledge and He has a full and perfect understanding of everything (Colossians 2:3).  Not only has God known all of His works from the beginning of time (Acts 15:18), but He is also the one and only one who is able to declare the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:9-10). There is a revealed truth that from the very beginning God has been building His’ Kingdom in the earth and preparing man to enter His Kingdom. The church was formed or created for the Kingdom and over the ages God has been building His Kingdom through the church. The Term “Church’ is not synonymous with the terms “Kingdom of God” or “ Kingdom of Heaven.” These two terms cannot be used interchangeably in the New Testament. The Kingdom of God is greater than the church. The church is a mystery of God and is involved in the eternal purpose of God in the earth. The apostle Paul was given an understanding and a revelation of what God was moving toward in the church in bringing forth His’ will in the earth through the church. The Kingdom is clearly another domain, as we shall study in details in this book and discover that the kingdom and the church are at the very center of God ultimate purpose and plan in the earth. In others words, we must consider that the eternal ages attest that GOD ETERNAL PURPOSE IN THE EARTH is preparations of His church and kingdom to be ONE. Many of us at this point will have to re-think and re-evaluate our views about dispensation truths and the questions of debate between the relationships of the Church to the Kingdom of God.   We are in serious times, may I add the ‘end times’ and the return of Lord Jesus Christ is near. His Kingdom will soon be revealed and God’s government will be established in the earth.  Many evangelical Christians are uninformed and without understanding of the biblical knowledge of these times. Thus they have often left it to other sects of religion to explain pure prophetic truth of the coming ‘Kingdom of God’ in the earth. The restored work of the Holy Spirit within the church to bring the Kingdom to full glory is lost in their modern religious experience.

We are, in reality in “The Kingdom Hour.” The hour to “look up” for our redemption draws nigh. The Kingdom of God as prophesied by Major and Minor prophets, even Jesus Christ Himself is about to be completed before our very eyes. Christ coming is near. The Kingdom of God is upon us!