“While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. When Peter saw this, he said to them: ‘Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our power or godliness we had made this man walk? 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. You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 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.
Now, fellow Israelites , I know that you acted in ignorance….Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus….He said to Abraham, through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed. When God raised up his servant, he sent him to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.” Acts 3:11-17, 19-20, 25-26 (NIV)
Peter thought the place was familiar; Solomon’s Colonnade. In his mind He could still hear the Master teaching from this very place. “If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered “I and the Father are one and the same.” They tried to stone Him then. (John 10:22-32) When would they ever learn?
“Why do you stare at us?…..This man is walking before you now because , and only because, of the name of Jesus. Remember Him? You tried to stone Him when all He tried to teach you was the Truth. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus.”
The word “servant” is applied to Jesus only four times in the New Testament. (Here , and v.26 and twice in chapter 4:vv 27, 30). This is an allusion to Isaiah 52:13: “See, my servant will act wisely, he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.” Jesus said of Himself He was that servant ,”And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me.” (John 12:32) Isaiah was speaking prophetically, but Peter was saying this prophecy has been already fulfilled in Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. Peter then made his case like a wise prosecuting attorney:
“You handed Him over to be killed, and you disowned Him before Pilate, although he had decided to let Him go. You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that the murderer be released to you. You killed the author of Life, but God raised him from the dead.”
No doubt there were some present who remembered, or may have themselves contributed to the shouts of “Give us Barabbas! Give us Barabbas! “ in place of the carpenter from Nazareth who “was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” (Isa.53:7)
You mean to say we condemned the man in whose Name this man is healed today?! The unmitigated shame,… oh how foolish we were and we’ve ruined our lives and charged God foolishly for our folly! (Proverbs 19:3 AB) We killed the Source—the very author of life!…..what are we to do?
“Now fellow Israelites I know that you in acted ignorance;….” We can hear Jesus from the cross saying “ Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do…” (Luke 23:34) Peter, like a treating physician, gives the prescription: “Repent then, and turn to God , so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord…When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”
Many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand, (4:4) And they could be heard singing “Let us search and try our ways, and turn again unto the Lord….” Lam.3:40-41 “It is of the Lord’s mercies we are are not consumed, and because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” (Lam.3:22-24)
Questions To Think About:
Now, fellow Israelites , I know that you acted in ignorance….Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus….He said to Abraham, through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed. When God raised up his servant, he sent him to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.” Acts 3:11-17, 19-20, 25-26 (NIV)
Peter thought the place was familiar; Solomon’s Colonnade. In his mind He could still hear the Master teaching from this very place. “If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered “I and the Father are one and the same.” They tried to stone Him then. (John 10:22-32) When would they ever learn?
“Why do you stare at us?…..This man is walking before you now because , and only because, of the name of Jesus. Remember Him? You tried to stone Him when all He tried to teach you was the Truth. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus.”
The word “servant” is applied to Jesus only four times in the New Testament. (Here , and v.26 and twice in chapter 4:vv 27, 30). This is an allusion to Isaiah 52:13: “See, my servant will act wisely, he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.” Jesus said of Himself He was that servant ,”And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me.” (John 12:32) Isaiah was speaking prophetically, but Peter was saying this prophecy has been already fulfilled in Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. Peter then made his case like a wise prosecuting attorney:
“You handed Him over to be killed, and you disowned Him before Pilate, although he had decided to let Him go. You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that the murderer be released to you. You killed the author of Life, but God raised him from the dead.”
No doubt there were some present who remembered, or may have themselves contributed to the shouts of “Give us Barabbas! Give us Barabbas! “ in place of the carpenter from Nazareth who “was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” (Isa.53:7)
You mean to say we condemned the man in whose Name this man is healed today?! The unmitigated shame,… oh how foolish we were and we’ve ruined our lives and charged God foolishly for our folly! (Proverbs 19:3 AB) We killed the Source—the very author of life!…..what are we to do?
“Now fellow Israelites I know that you in acted ignorance;….” We can hear Jesus from the cross saying “ Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do…” (Luke 23:34) Peter, like a treating physician, gives the prescription: “Repent then, and turn to God , so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord…When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”
Many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand, (4:4) And they could be heard singing “Let us search and try our ways, and turn again unto the Lord….” Lam.3:40-41 “It is of the Lord’s mercies we are are not consumed, and because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” (Lam.3:22-24)
Questions To Think About:
- In what areas of your life are people “staring at you” (noticing your talents or goodness)? How can you use those moments to testify about Jesus’ power instead of your own “godliness “?
- Are there areas in your life where you have chosen something “deadly” or “destructive” over the Author of Life?
- How does viewing Jesus as the “Servant” (the one who was “lifted up”) change the way you approach Him in prayer ?
- Do you often view repentance as a heavy punishment, or as the gateway to “refreshing” and “mercy”?
Posted in The Servant