The Kingdom of God, Mentor Guide, MG02

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T H E K I N G D O M O F G O D

faith in the saving work of Jesus of Nazareth (Acts 2.38). The gift of salvation associated with the entrance of the Kingdom, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, is now available to any person, whether Gentile or Jew, upon baptism into the name of Jesus Christ, a promise which is not only for the Jews but, according to Peter, to any and all whom the Lord God may call (Acts 2.39; Joel 2.32). The Church was animated from the beginning by the Holy Spirit’s ministry, who selected their leaders (Acts 13.1-3; Acts 20), energized the ministries of its leaders (Acts 4.31; 6.5; 7.54; etc.), and directed the ongoing outreaches and activities of its mission in the world (Acts 9.31; 13.2; 15.28; 16.6-7). Because of the Holy Spirit’s presence in the Church, the identical acts of kingdommanifestation (conversion, healing, exorcism, miracles, etc.) were routinely carried out in the midst of the people of God. The Holy Spirit routinely provided revelational visions and prophecies to the members of the Church (Acts 9.10; 10.3; 10.ff.; 11.27-28; 13.1; 15.32) as was clearly foretold in the Joel 2 prophecy. By all signs of the Church’s life and mission, it confirmed in its daily experience that the Kingdom of God, the manifestation of God’s Messianic age, had indeed come on the day of Pentecost. This kingdom power and presence will be with the Church unto the very end of the age (Matt. 28.20). In these questions, you will find the focus is upon mastering the data and the facts associated with the claims made in the first video segment. While many points can be highlighted in this section, perhaps the central fact to be reviewed is how the Church of Jesus Christ is organically connected to Christ through the Holy Spirit. Again, the Holy Spirit in the midst of the Church is undeniable evidence that the Apostles understood the Church to be experiencing the gifts and blessings of the Messianic age right now, today. This is why a full and nuanced, that is, biblically and theologically mature view of the Church is so critical to any factual understanding of the Kingdom. Highlight the biblical truth that Peter made at Pentecost, that the Holy Spirit in the midst of the Church is the fulfillment of the Old Testament’s promises regarding the Messianic age come among humankind, in our time and in our day. Concentrate on ensuring that the students understand the answers in light of the lesson aims of the first segment, especially the Church as the locus of God’s revelation, Spirit, and life.

8 Page 78 Student Questions and Response