Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 3
He argues Mark 9:1 (“kingdom of God come with power”) “has to be Pentecost,” which settles “the kingdom here and now” versus a future-only kingdom; how would early Christians—who saw Pentecost as present kingdom power—have expected a church to function socially, economically, and morally compared to what many churches expect today?
Another way to ask: If early Christians believed the kingdom’s power was already present (like at Pentecost), how would they expect a church to live and act in society, money, and morals? How is that different from many churches today?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
Based on the speaker’s teaching, if Pentecost marks the kingdom “come with power,” early Christians would expect the church to function as a real present-tense kingdom society—morally disciplined, socially distinct, and economically marked by giving. The church would be a public demonstration, not just a place to prepare people for heaven.
- He takes Mark 9:1 as fulfilled in Pentecost: “That has to be Pentecost…That settles for me…The issue is the kingdom here and now.”
- Kingdom success rests on citizen character: “Jesus banked all of His kingdom’s success on the character of His citizens.”
- Moral expectations are high: Jesus targets anger, lust, dishonesty, revenge; “a new kind of person, free of anger, lust, dishonesty, revenge, and violence.”
- Social purpose: the church should be seen like the queen of Sheba saw Israel—“a very favored, beautiful group…something different.”
- Economic/value expectations include generosity: “Christians are givers, not takers,” and possessions valued for helping others.
- He says many today reduce it to dying-preparation: the “Save Me Gospel…get you ready to go to heaven when you die.”