Acts 3:11-26 Peter Speaks in Solomon's Portico

People were astounded by the healing of the lame beggar and they gathered around Peter and John. Peter addressed the crowd to let them know that the miracle was not performed by their power or piety, but by Jesus Christ who resurrected from the dead. Peter accuses them of his death because they delivered him to Pilate and declares the miracle a work of his hand by faith in his name. Faith requires an object. It cannot be faith for the sake of believing something. For it to be genuine faith, it must be in Jesus. Jesus is the object of our faith, trust, and obedience.

Christianity boils down to who I believe Jesus to be. Is he the son of a carpenter and a good man? Is he a prophet with powers to heal? Is he a peaceful martyr willing to give his life to appease the political powers of the day? Is he a political figure who promised better days? Is he a prophet willing to denounce the Scribes and Pharisees? Is he a wise teacher who understands the Law like no one else? All these things may be true, but they don't make him the object of my faith. Peter calls him the Holy and Righteous One, the Author of Life, the resurrected and glorified Son of God. Do I believe this?

Peter explains that God foretold by the mouth of the prophets Christ's suffering and death. But the crowd's ignorance is no excuse - they stand guilty! He calls them to repentance so that they may receive forgiveness, refreshment, and the future restoration of all things. God is sovereign because he foretold what needed to take place, but human responsibility is not excused at all. Repentance is the remedy for such a rebellion. I can't forget that the reason Christ came into the world was to offer himself as a sacrifice for my sins. His death is upon me as much as it is upon the Romans and Jews of the day. God is sovereign, but I must repent!

Peter points out that this Jesus is the one Moses, and Samuel and all the prophets spoke about. He particularly reminds the people of the covenant God cut with Abraham with the promise: "In your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed." Jesus is that offspring and God began to bless the families of the earth by sending Jesus to the Jews first, and then the rest of the world. The blessing, Peter explains, is turning you from your wickedness. My wickedness is my desire to live my life my way turning my back on God and his ways. God calls me to repentance so that I may turn to him and live by his commands.

Father, enable me to make your Son the object of my faith. May I never hide behind your sovereignty as an excuse to evade my responsibility. Give me a repentant heart and a strong belief in your word spoken by the prophets.