The book of Acts, chapter 3, verses 13-19, presents a pivotal moment in the early Christian church. Here, Peter addresses the crowd after the healing of the lame man at the temple gate called Beautiful, providing a unique opportunity for him to preach about Jesus Christ.
Verse 13: “The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go.” Peter starts by invoking the God of the patriarchs, establishing a connection between the God of the Old Testament and Jesus, emphasizing that Jesus is the servant of this God. This statement serves to link the new Christian message with the established Jewish faith, making it more relatable and less foreign to his audience.
Verse 14: “You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you.” Peter contrasts Jesus, described as the Holy and Righteous One, with Barabbas, a murderer, highlighting the injustice of choosing to release a criminal over the innocent Jesus. This comparison is meant to evoke feelings of guilt and regret among the listeners, encouraging them to reflect on their past actions.
Verse 15: “You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.” Here, Peter directly states that the crowd’s actions led to the death of Jesus, who is the source of all life. However, he quickly shifts the focus from their guilt to the miraculous event of the resurrection, stating that the apostles are witnesses to this fact. The mention of being witnesses is crucial, as it establishes the apostles’ credibility and firsthand experience with the events they are narrating.
Verse 16: “By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.” Peter explains that the healing of the lame man was not through the power of the apostles themselves but through faith in Jesus’ name. This is a significant moment because it publically declares the power of Jesus’ name and sets the stage for the apostles’ ministry, which will be characterized by healing and miracles performed in the name of Jesus.
Verse 17: “Now, brothers and sisters, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders.” Peter softens his tone by acknowledging that the crowd, and even their leaders, acted out of ignorance rather than malice. This understanding is crucial for transitioning from condemnation to an offer of redemption and forgiveness.
Verse 18: “But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer.” Peter points out that the events leading to Jesus’ death and resurrection were not unforeseen but were part of God’s plan as foretold by the prophets. This connects Jesus’ story with the broader narrative of Jewish scripture and prophecy, reinforcing the notion that Jesus is the Messiah.
Verse 19: “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” Finally, Peter concludes his sermon with a call to action: repentance. He invites the crowd to turn away from their past actions and towards God, promising that this will lead to the forgiveness of sins and a time of spiritual refreshing. This call to repentance is not just about personal salvation but also about communal restoration and the renewal that comes with turning towards God.
In these verses, Peter masterfully weaves together themes of guilt, grace, and redemption, setting the stage for the early Christian church’s message of salvation through Jesus Christ. By connecting Jesus to Jewish scripture and emphasizing the power of faith in his name, Peter provides a compelling narrative that challenges his listeners to reconsider their understanding of God’s plan and their place within it.
