Dwell in the Word: Acts 3:11-26

Consider these questions as we dwell in Acts 3:11-26:

1. How does Peter emphasize the centrality of faith in Jesus as the source of miraculous healing in the account of the lame man? Why is it crucial for Peter to clarify that the healing is not a result of their own power or piety, but rather through faith in Jesus?

2. What is the significance of Peter's message to the people, emphasizing their role in the crucifixion of Jesus? How does Peter's call to repentance and turning to God connect with the broader narrative of redemption and the fulfillment of promises made to Abraham?

3. How does Peter's message address the universal scope of the gospel, which was initially sent to the children of Abraham but ultimately intended for all families of the earth? How does this understanding of the gospel's universality impact our daily lives and our call to repentance and faith in Christ?

Transcript:

 So here we have, at the end of chapter three, Peter once again proclaiming the gospel. And here, it was brought on by the healing of this lame man. Remember, we looked at that on Monday. And we see that the people are astounded. And, and so Peter says something to them. He, he says, why are you looking at this like we did something?

As if by our own power or piety, we healed him.  And so, Peter wants it to be very clear. That it is Jesus, it's the name of Jesus and faith in him that has caused this to happen. Peter in and of himself does not have the power to heal. He is trusting in the name of Jesus to do so, and he wants the people to understand that. Because ultimately what does Peter desire? That the people would hear and believe and trust in Jesus themselves that they might be saved in his name. That is the ultimate goal. And so, he tells the story of what happened. He reminds them that of which they know that they handed over Jesus to Pilate.

Pilate was going to let Jesus go, but the people wanted Jesus to be crucified instead of Barabbas. And so, in verse 15 we see, and you killed the author of life. And then Peter gives the story, Whom God raised from the dead. And he's saying, hey, we're the witnesses to this, and now we have faith in his name.

And so, it's that faith, that proclamation of the name of Jesus, that has made this man strong. And so, this is what has given him this good health.  And now, we see that Peter wants him to know that, hey, you, you acted in ignorance here. You didn't know what was going on. Yeah, you were willingly asking for Barabbas instead of for Jesus.

But you, you didn't know necessarily who Jesus was. And so, Peter wants him to understand that you, you did this in ignorance. But, but all of this was done. So that the Christ would suffer, so that the promises of the suffering Christ would be fulfilled. And so, what does Peter do at that point? He tells them to repent, to turn away from their sin, to turn to God and have their sins blotted out, that the time of refreshing may come, that they might receive the gift of salvation in Christ.

He wants them to hear what has happened and turn away from the sin that has been in their lives. He wants them to change their mind. That's what repent means, to change your mind. To change your mind about who you are and agree with God that you are a sinner. And then throw yourself at the feet of Christ begging and understanding that He is the only one who can give us forgiveness.

And so, at the end of this chapter, and the end of the passage that we've read today, it shows us that this was the plan all along, and this is what has been promised to Abraham from the beginning.  Look at the end of verse 25, and then verse 26. And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed; God having raised up his servants sent him to you first to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.

So Peter is saying that this Jesus who was  crucified who rose again from the dead that he is the fulfillment of that promise and it's going to go to all the families of the earth all the families of the earth are going to be blessed but Peter is saying here today you as the children of Abraham  he was sent to you first to bless you  have the opportunity to repent and believe to turn from your wickedness it was for all the families of the earth but here it is for you today to repent and believe.

And so as we think about what this means for us, you and I have heard the gospel and every day our life is to be a life of repentance. Every day we are called to choose to believe the gospel and choose to follow God in faith, to turn away from our own ideas on how things should be, but instead follow him in faith.

So, may we look at these words that we have heard from Peter today. And as we remember the gospel and as we're confronted with the choices before us today, may we remember what Christ has done and choose to follow Him in holiness.