ACT 3The Holy Spirit, in this chapter, through the miracle performed upon the lame man, leads Peter and John to put before the people their terrible guilt in crucifying the Lord Jesus, the Servant of the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the Holy One, and the Just, the Prince of Life, whom they denied in the presence of Pilate when he had determined to let Him go. They desired a murderer in preference. Now, as the risen and glorified One, whom God raised from the dead and glorified, His power was manifest in this man who healed was a cripple from his birth, being perfectly Peter and John disclaim any power or holiness of their own in this. It was the power of the NAME of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, through faith in His name, that had made this well-known man strong. The faith which is by Him had given him this perfect soundness in the presence of them all.
We must notice in this chapter that it is not calling individuals to own the name of Jesus Christ in order to receive remission of sins, and the Holy Spirit; or to separate themselves from the untoward generation, as in chap. 2, but it is to all as a nation, and Peter alluding to Jesus' words on the cross, says, "Now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers."
The offer is given that, if, as a nation, they would repent, Jesus Christ as Lord and King would return at once, and fulfill all the unfulfilled prophecies given by the mouth of all His prophets since the world began. It was prophesied that the heavens, after His sufferings on earth, were to receive Him till the time of the restoring of all things, of which they had spoken, had taken place.
Jesus Christ was the prophet Moses spoke of, and judgment would come upon them, or any who would not hear Him. They were the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with their fathers, through Abraham, "In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed." It was to them first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus (that is, in His life time), sent Him to bless them in turning each one of them from their iniquities.
Let us now look over the chapter, reading it carefully.
Verse 1. Peter and John are going to the temple at the ninth hour-the Jewish hour of prayer. The Christian prays always (Eph. 6: 18), and everywhere (1 Tim. 2:8).
Verse 2. The temple, outwardly beautiful, has a witness lying at the gate daily of their helpless poverty before God. (Ex. 15:26.)
Verse 3-5. This cripple begs of Peter and John.
Verse 6. Peter and John, God's witnesses, "poor in this world, but rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom" (James 2:5), said, "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk."
Verses 7-9. He took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he, leaping up, stood and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God."
Verses 10, 11. They knew the man, and were filled with wonder and amazement, and as the man held Peter and John, the crowd gathered around them, greatly wondering.
Verses 12-16 bring Israel's sin before them, in rejecting Christ, and also God, who raised and glorified His Servant Jesus.
Verse 17. This is an answer to the Lord's prayer in Luke 23: 34.
Verse 18. The sufferings and rejection of Christ, which were foretold in the prophets, are at this time fulfilled. (Isa. 53; Psa. 22.)
Verses 19-26. They were called to repent and be converted, that their sins might be blotted out, (not "when," but) so that the times of refreshing might come from the presence of the Lord; and Jesus Christ would come back and set up His promised kingdom.
We may wonder how then the Church could be called out? God knew that they would not repent, but as we saw in chap. 1:6, 7, He still waits in long-suffering till Israel's rejection of Christ, was completed not only while He was on earth, but till they fully manifested their rejection of Him as the glorified One at God's right hand. We shall also see in Stephen's testimony and murder, how completely the nation of Israel were now under Satan's power. Jehovah said unto His Servant Jesus Christ, "Sit Thou at My right hand till I make Thine enemies Thy footstool." Psa. 110:1.
Israel shall be brought to repentance before their blessing as a nation can come. This is God's way; Jer. 18:7-11 illustrates it. So it is now also for individual Jews or Gentiles before they can be saved -" Repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." Acts 20:21.