KLEROS: “A Place Among Those Who Are Sanctified” – Acts 26:18

“I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”

In the original Greek text of the New Testament, the word translated here as “a place” is “kleros.” The King James Version translated it “inheritance,” which is one of its meanings. Kleros is a very important word in both the New Testament and in the Greek version of the Old Testament that the Apostles used in the early church (called the “Septuagint”).  This is the first in a series of lessons exploring the meaning of this term.

Reference books list the main definitions of kleros as “lot, portion, or share.”  It is the word used for casting lots to inquire of the Lord in Acts 1:26.  Peter told the money-loving Simon Magus that he had “no share in this ministry” in Acts 8:21 (“neither part nor lot in this matter”), using the same word “kleros” for “lot” or “share.”  In Colossians 1:12 Paul uses the word for the “inheritance” of the saints, and in 1 Peter 5:3 it uses the same word to call the faithful church the Lord’s “heritage” that has been entrusted to the pastors.  The common theme is our allotted portion or share, designated and revealed by God’s grace to us.

Here, kleros is a place among the true saints. When we experience salvation through Christ, we receive a place at His table, at the eternal wedding feast of the Lamb.  “He brought me to his banquet table, and his banner over me is love.”  (Song of Songs 2:4; see also Isaiah 25:6).  There is a place with your name, designated and reserved for you.

This is more than merely a geographic location that is available for you; rather, it is an invitation, an inclusion in the family of God (see Matthew 22:2-10).  You place at the table is your “kleros,” a share assigned to you by Jesus himself.  “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” (Revelation 19:9).

Your place (kleros) among those who are sanctified also refers to your life here, right now, not just to our future in heaven.  God has a place for you in his own flock, his faithful church:

It is a place where you belong, where you can feel at home spiritually

It is a place where you can feel safe from both the world and from the abuses that plague religion.

It is a place where you can serve Christ and make a difference or an impact in God’s project.

It is a place where you can receive spiritual nourishment and can grow or progress spiritually.

It is a place of rest and peace (Hebrews 3: – 4:10).

“…that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones, that I may share in the joy of your nation and join your inheritance in giving praise.” (Psalm 106:5)

“Kleros” is our share in the joy of God’s people, joining his inheritance, enjoying the blessings He gives them.

“…so that…” Notice the conditional structure of this sentence.  How do we receive a place (kleros) among the sanctified?  Through the opening of our eyes (revelation), and by turning from darkness to light (“repentance” means “turning”), turning away from the authority of the Enemy to God in complete submission to our Heavenly Father.  These things – opening eyes, turning form darkness to light, and turning from the Enemy’s authority to God – enable us to take a place among God’s own flock.  This phrase “so that” also reveals God’s purpose in evangelism – he sends preachers like Paul to open people’s eyes, to turn them from darkness to light, SO THAT they may receive a place among God’s people.  Godly evangelism or outreach has this ultimate goal or purpose – to see people take their place among the servants of Christ.  The goal is not merely to have a well-attended evangelism event!  We must stay focused on God’s long-term goal, which is to have them receive their place, their kleros.  God intends everyone he saves to become an integrated part of a fellowship of true saints (the body), even if that is a small group meeting regularly in a home.  We should think of outreach in terms of kleros – bringing people into their kleros, their place in the family of God.

“…so that they may receive a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” – Acts 26:18