REPENT AND TURN TO GOD

Passage: Acts 3:11-26

Key verse: 19

NIV

Peter Speaks to the Onlookers

11 While the man held on to Peter and John,(A) all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade.(B) 12 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 own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,(C) the God of our fathers,(D) has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over(E) to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate,(F) though he had decided to let him go.(G) 14 You disowned the Holy(H) and Righteous One(I) and asked that a murderer be released to you.(J) 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead.(K) We are witnesses(L) of this. 16 By faith in the name of Jesus,(M) 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,(N) I know that you acted in ignorance,(O) as did your leaders.(P) 18 But this is how God fulfilled(Q) what he had foretold(R) through all the prophets,(S) saying that his Messiah would suffer.(T) 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out,(U) that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Messiah,(V) who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. 21 Heaven must receive him(W) until the time comes for God to restore everything,(X) as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.(Y) 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.(Z) 23 Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.’[a](AA)

24 “Indeed, beginning with Samuel, all the prophets(AB) who have spoken have foretold these days. 25 And you are heirs(AC) of the prophets and of the covenant(AD) God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’[b](AE) 26 When God raised up(AF) his servant, he sent him first(AG) 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

Peter Speaks in Solomon's Portico

11 (A)While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in (B)the portico called Solomon's. 12 And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? 13 (C)The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, (D)the God of our fathers, (E)glorified his servant[a] Jesus, whom (F)you delivered over and (G)denied in the presence of Pilate, (H)when he had decided to release him. 14 But you denied (I)the Holy and (J)Righteous One, and (K)asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and you killed (L)the Author of life, (M)whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And (N)his name—by (O)faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is (P)through Jesus[b] has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.

17 “And now, brothers, I know that (Q)you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 But what God (R)foretold (S)by the mouth of all the prophets, that (T)his Christ would (U)suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19 (V)Repent therefore, and (W)turn back, that (X)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 (Y)appointed for you, Jesus, 21 (Z)whom heaven must receive until the time for (AA)restoring all the things about which (AB)God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. 22 Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you (AC)a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen (AD)to him in whatever he tells you. 23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet (AE)shall be destroyed from the people.’ 24 And (AF)all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. 25 (AG)You are the sons of the prophets and of (AH)the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, (AI)‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ 26 (AJ)God, (AK)having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, (AL)to bless you (AM)by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”

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Footnotes
  1. Acts 3:13 Or child; also verse 26
  2. Acts 3:16 Greek him
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. You killed the author of life, but God raised him (11-16) Many people gathered around because of the healed beggar's leaps of praise. Peter used the opportunity to preach Jesus. He said they should not be surprised that the God of Abraham had glorified Jesus. He did not pull his punches but clearly told them they were responsible for handing Jesus over to be killed and releasing a murderer instead. The conclusion was they had killed the author of life but God had raised him. This man, whom they knew, had been completely healed by his faith in the name of the risen Jesus. He was a testament to the risen Jesus. 2. Times of refreshing (17-26) Although they had killed the author of life there was still hope for them in the suffering of Jesus on the cross, foretold through the prophets. If they sincerely repented, their sins would be wiped out and they would be refreshed by the Spirit of Christ. This was God's promise since the time of Moses and the holy prophets from Samuel on. All they had to do was to listen and turn to God, and they would receive the greatest blessing of Abraham, the forgiveness of Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord, thank you that I can always repent and be refreshed by the forgiving love of Jesus.

One Word: Turn to God