ANSWER: When Jesus spoke these things the kingdom (church) had not yet been established. In Matthew 16:18-19, we see clearly that the church (kingdom) was yet in the future. Jesus, at the beginning of His earthly ministry, “came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand” (it is not yet here, but it is near). In Matthew 5 (before the kingdom came), Jesus is simply saying that participants in the coming kingdom (which was established on the first Pentecost after His death-Mark 9:1; Acts 2:22-47) will be those who possess the characteristics described in Matthew 5:3-12. There is absolutely no indication in this or any other passage that anyone can be saved outside of the church!