Peter’s Message of Repentance
June 20, 2022
Commentary
God’s supernatural healing, of the crippled man amazed the crowd at the temple (v. 11). Peter took this opportunity to direct their attention to Christ, giving God the glory (vv. 12-13). He preached Jesus to them, the one they had rejected and crucified, the one God raised from the dead (vv. 14-16). These people knew the scriptures, and they knew the events surrounding Jesus’s death on the cross. They had chosen to kill the Author of Life. The healing of the lame man was accomplished through faith in Jesus’s name. Two ordinary fishermen could not have done this without God being involved. The beggar was living (and leaping) proof. Peter stressed three things in his preaching:
(1) the severity of the crime – Christ’s murder was the greatest crime in human history
(2) the importance of the resurrection – the foundation of the church
(3) the Power of the Risen Lord – Christians are empowered by God
Peter combined mercy with a warning (vv. 17-23). The people had killed their savior in ignorance, but that ignorance was no longer possible. They had lost their excuse for further rejection of Jesus. A new discovery of truth should result in a new life of faith (v. 19a). A true repentance, “a change of mind” should result in “a change of life”. It involves a change of mind about us, our sin, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance brings with it refreshment in the presence of Jesus (vv. 19-20). At Conversion, our past sins are washed away. We no longer need to live in guilt and shame (vv. 19b-21). Peter spoke of Moses and Abraham, but he didn’t let the national blessings take the place of the personal responsibility for each person to repent. Notice verse 26.
Application
Peter had an audience and he capitalized on the opportunity. I need to pray that I will see the opportunities God gives to me and use them to speak up for Christ.
Acts 3:11– 26 (NET)
11 While the man was hanging on to Peter and John, all the people, completely astounded, ran together to them in the covered walkway called Solomon’s Portico. 12 When Peter saw this, he declared to the people, “Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this? Why do you stare at us as if we had made this man walk by our own power or piety? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our forefathers, has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate after he had decided to release him. 14 But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a man who was a murderer be released to you. 15 You killed the Originator of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this fact we are witnesses! 16 And on the basis of faith in Jesus’ name, his very name has made this man—whom you see and know—strong. The faith that is through Jesus has given him this complete health in the presence of you all. 17 And now, brothers, I know you acted in ignorance, as your rulers did too. 18 But the things God foretold long ago through all the prophets—that his Christ would suffer—he has fulfilled in this way. 19 Therefore repent and turn back so that your sins may be wiped out, 20 so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and so that he may send the Messiah appointed for you—that is, Jesus. 21 This one heaven must receive until the time all things are restored, which God declared from times long ago through his holy prophets. 22 Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must obey him in everything he tells you. 23 Every person who does not obey that prophet will be destroyed and thus removed from the people.’ 24 And all the prophets, from Samuel and those who followed him, have spoken about and announced these days. 25 You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your ancestors, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed.’ 26 God raised up his servant and sent him first to you, to bless you by turning each one of you from your iniquities.”
Illustration: Zig Ziglar on Molasses Opportunity
Zig Ziglar tells the story of boy that went with his mother to the old general store. He liked to sneak away from his mother and when no one was looking he would dip his finger into the large barrel of molasses. The storekeeper caught him doing this and decided to teach the boy a lesson. He picked up the boy by his britches and dunked him headfirst into the barrel of molasses and then set him out on the front porch of the store. But instead of crying the boy was out there praying, “God, give me the tongue to equal this opportunity.” (Source Unknown, Lou Nicholes – Missionary/Author).