GOD'S GREATEST BLESSING

Passage: Acts 3:17-26

Key verse: 19

NIV

17 “Now, fellow Israelites,(A) I know that you acted in ignorance,(B) as did your leaders.(C) 18 But this is how God fulfilled(D) what he had foretold(E) through all the prophets,(F) saying that his Messiah would suffer.(G) 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out,(H) that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Messiah,(I) who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. 21 Heaven must receive him(J) until the time comes for God to restore everything,(K) as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.(L) 22 For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you.(M) 23 Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.’[a](N)

24 “Indeed, beginning with Samuel, all the prophets(O) who have spoken have foretold these days. 25 And you are heirs(P) of the prophets and of the covenant(Q) God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’[b](R) 26 When God raised up(S) his servant, he sent him first(T) to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”

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Footnotes
  1. Acts 3:23 Deut. 18:15,18,19
  2. Acts 3:25 Gen. 22:18; 26:4
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

17 “And now, brothers, I know that (A)you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 But what God (B)foretold (C)by the mouth of all the prophets, that (D)his Christ would (E)suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19 (F)Repent therefore, and (G)turn back, that (H)your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ (I)appointed for you, Jesus, 21 (J)whom heaven must receive until the time for (K)restoring all the things about which (L)God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. 22 Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you (M)a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen (N)to him in whatever he tells you. 23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet (O)shall be destroyed from the people.’ 24 And (P)all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. 25 (Q)You are the sons of the prophets and of (R)the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, (S)‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ 26 (T)God, (U)having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, (V)to bless you (W)by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Repent (17-20)

How can there be hope for sinners who killed the Author of life? There is hope, for as he promised, God sent Christ to suffer for the sake of sinners. He did not send a mighty warrior to save his people; he sent a suffering servant. If any sinner repents and accepts Christ, God will wipe out his sins and give him a refreshing new life. The Spirit of Christ indwells forgiven sinners; Jesus will come in glory at the end of the age to restore all things.

2. God's promises are sure (21-26)

God spoke through his holy prophets about the Christ. Moses said that God would raise up a prophet who would speak with the absolute authority of God. All of the prophets spoke about the coming Christ. But at the root of all the prophecies is God's covenant with Abraham: 'Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.' Forgiveness of sin is the best blessing.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for making me an heir of your best blessing.

One Word: Repentance & times of refreshing