April 20, 2022 – Wednesday
Acts 3:18-20 NIV
18 But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer.
19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,
20 and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.
Comment.
Peter and John on the way to the temple had healed a man lame from birth. He was being carried to the temple gate “Beautiful” to beg those entering the temple. He was begging from Peter and John when Peter said v6, Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk. While the man jumped for joy (fully healed) praising God, entered the temple hanging onto Peter and John, the people were astonished and came running to them at Solomon’s Colonnade.
When Peter saw this he gave a short to the point message to them, 12 “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 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. 14 You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 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. 17 “Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders.
Which then brings us to our verses of the day, 18 But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer. 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. First Peter acknowledged Christ had to suffer to fulfill prophecy. However, he did not absolve them of taking part in His suffering voluntarily. So, he then commanded them to repent and turn back. And what does it mean to repent, but to turn from the path of rejection of God, and to turn towards Christ, implying belief in Christ. Peter’s call was an invitation to salvation; he called the people to submit to Jesus as their King when they repented. If they chose salvation, they would experience refreshment that is only found in the presence of the Lord, mediated through the Holy Spirit. They would also experience a time of restoration as they prepared for Jesus’ return (adapted from the NIV Grace and Truth Study Bible).
Bottom Line: Peter does not absolve them of their sin but tells them how their sin can be forgiven. Repent and turn to Jesus as your King.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You that Peter would be so clear in talking to his fellow Israelites on how salvation is made possible then and now – through Your Son. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek