The Spirit, The kingdom of God, and Justice

Biblically these three concepts, The Spirit, the kingdom and justice were closely tied together, but I've heard two church historians say that two centuries after the book of Acts, the kingdom of God largely disappeared from the church vocabulary; meaning, of course The Spirit and the kingdom were separated.  This was a tragic divorce with severe consequences.  To my knowledge, The Spirit and the kingdom are not tied closely together today.

Next, we are going to look at the Messianic Passages, where you will see The Spirit, the kingdom and justice closely tied together:

Isaiah 9:7  "Of the increase of his government and shalom there will be no end.  He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness."

Isaiah 11: 1-4  "A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him--the Spirit of wisdom and understanding. . . . with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor."

Isaiah 16:5  "In love a throne will be established . . . . one from the house of David who seeks justice and speeds the case of righteousness."

Isaiah 28: 16-17  "I lay s stone in Zion . . . . a precious cornerstone . . . . I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line."

Isaiah 42: 1-4  "Here is my servant . . . . I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations."

Isaiah 61: 1-4  (Noble paraphrase)  The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the oppressed poor, to proclaim freedom and release by practicing Jubilee justice for the oppressed poor.

To bestow on the poor a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

These transformed poor will be called oaks of righteousness of trees of justice.  These transformed poor will rebuild the ruined cities . . . . For I, the Lord, love justice.

When Jesus introduces himself, in his kingdom of God ministry, in Nazareth, he quotes a Messianic passage--Luke 4:18-19-- which combines the Spirit, the kingdom and Jubilee justice together.  Any effective ministry to the poor and oppressed must be built on the Spirit, the kingdom and justice.

Acts 1:1-8 -- There are two major concepts in this passage.  The kingdom of God and the coming Holy Spirit.  I see the Spirit and the kingdom tied together throughout the book of Acts.

Romans 14:17  ties the Holy Spirit and the kingdom of God together. And according to the NE Bible, justice as well.

Matthew 6:33 (NEB) ties the kingdom of God and justice together.

The failures of the Protestant Reformation, at this point, are enormous.  I see little effort to tie the Spirit, the kingdom and justice together.  I think we need a Second Reformation which renews the biblical tie between the Spirit, the kingdom and justice.  Then, and only then, will we have a Gospel strong enough to deliver the poor from their oppression.