YOU ACTED IN IGNORANCE
Acts 3
TESTIMONY IN JERUSALEM 2-8:3
FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH 2-4:31
The Birth of the Church 2:1-47
The Spirit’s Coming 2:1-4
The Observers’ Question 2:5-13
These are ”rightly religious” Jewish people.
They want to know what the signs mean.
Peter’s Explanation 2:14-36
The evidence of the Spirit’s coming demonstrates that God is authenticating Jesus.
Jesus is Lord (Yahweh) and Christ (Messiah).
The Hearer’s Response 2:37
If Jesus is Messiah and Israel killed Him, what can they do now?
Peter’s Exhortation 2:38-40
They should change their mind about Jesus.
They should identify with Jesus by baptism.
By doing so they will separate themselves from the generation of Israel that is about to be judged for rejecting Messiah.
The Believers’ Obedience 2:41
About 3000 identified with Jesus by baptism.
The Believers’ Conduct 2:42-47
The Growth of the Church 3-4:31
Another glimpse of the development of the church is presented by the account concerning Peter's second sermon.
Q.1. What happened in 3:1-7?
The sign 3:1-7
Once again God uses a supernatural sign to get their attention and to demonstrate that He is at work. Heb. 2:3-4
The first message was confirmed by tongues.
The second message was confirmed
by the healing of the crippled beggar.
The first message was directed to a select group of devout Jewish people.
The second message was delivered to a general group of Jewish people.
The Observers’ Response 3:8-11
They are amazed by what they see!
The man’s response 3:8 Walking—leaping—praising God
The people’s response 3:9-11 Filled with wonder and amazement—greatly wondering
Peter’s Explanation 3:12-26
Peter again explains the significance of the sign.
This is a much more general message for the entire nation of Israel
This is God’s message to unbelieving Israel.
It still includes O.T. saints.
How does Peter explain the sign?
Power is not ours 3:12
Power is God’s authentication of Jesus. 3:13-26
This is God’s message to unbelieving Israel throughout the present age.
The miracle is designed to authenticate the Person of Christ.
God’s authentication versus their rejection 3:13-18
3:13-16 God has glorified Jesus, the One you rejected.
Jesus, whom they rejected and crucified is their Messiah.
Peter relates the Person and work of Christ to God’s program.
They didn’t destroy God’s program
3:17 They acted out of ignorance.
3:18 The prophets foretold what God fulfilled.
If they did wrong by mistake, and didn’t know what they were doing,
what should they do about it now?
God’s authentication calls for their repentance 3:19-26
Since they rejected Jesus in ignorance,
they can still correct the wrong they have committed.
Their return to God is required for the kingdom to begin.
Therefore, they are urged to respond to God.
Peter's exhortation 3:19-21
Repent => change your mind about Jesus
Be converted (KJV) or “turn around” => reverse your direction
This is NOT an individual call for repentance–though it extends to each individual.
It is a national call for repentance that will undo the wrong they have done.
It prepares the way for the establishment of the kingdom.
When they turn back to God, His plan for them will move forward.
Purpose => 1. Your sins will be wiped out
2. “Times of refreshing” will come = Millennium
3. Messiah will come.
Their return to God is a prerequisite for the kingdom to begin.
Therefore, Peter urges them to respond to God.
When the nation does this,
God’s plan for Israel will begin again. This is still the next step.
They will never do it until God moves them (cp. Rom. 11:25-27)
Prophets' confirmation 3:22-26
3:22-23 Moses’ prophecy points to Jesus.
3:24 All the prophets point to Jesus.
3:25-26 God sent Jesus to them to fulfill His covenant.
These evidences urge them to repent and turn back to God.
WHAT WILL THE RESULTS OF THEIR OBEDIENCE BE?
When they do this, God's plan for Israel will begin again.
This is still the next step for the nation.
They will never do it until God moves them (Rom. 11:25-27).