The things of the Kingdom and the Name

With reference to Acts 8:12—But men and women become elements of this people of the Name upon certain specified and indispensable conditions. They are invited to God's kingdom and glory; and they accept the invitation in believing the gospel of the kingdom and name, and subjecting themselves to "the obedience of faith." What Paul styles "the wholesome words of the Lord Jesus," are these: "He having believed and been baptized shall be saved; but he having not believed shall be condemned." If it be asked, what is a man required to believe? The Lord Jesus replies in the previous verse, "THE GOSPEL" (Mark 16:15,16). There is no salvation without belief of, and obedience to this. Hence when Philip, one of the seven deacons, preached to the Samaritans, it is stated in Acts 8:12, that "when they believed Philip evangelizing THE THINGS concerning the Kingdom of the Deity, and of the Name of the Anointed Jesus, they were immersed, both men and women." The things of the Kingdom and the Name are the great subject-matter of the Gospel of God, "promised before," says Paul, "through the Prophets in holy writings" (Rom. 1:2) and "the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes." Without this power none can be saved; hence the immense importance of "the gospel of the kingdom," which is totally different to anything preached for salvation by the clergy. "The things" must be known, understood, believed, and obeyed, with an honest and good heart. This is indispensable. But the work before me is not the exposition of the gospel; but the exposition of the Apocalypse for the benefit of those who have already comprehended and obeyed the gospel. Nevertheless, for the benefit of any sincere reader who is ignorant, we refer him to the Covenants made with Abraham and David, and to the testimony concerning Jesus in the writings of the apostles, and to the preaching by these as illustrated in the Acts, for an answer to the question, "What are the things to be believed for salvation?" (See Gen. 12:1-3,7; 13:14,15; 15:6,7,8-21; 17.; 22.; 1 Chron. 17:11-15; Matt. 16; Acts 2; 3; 8; 10; 26:6,7; 28:20,23).