REPENTANCE, FAITH, AND SALVATION (10 OF 56)
Scripture: Acts 3:12-26
This content is part of a series.
Repentance, Faith, and Salvation (10 of 56)
Series: The Church in ACTSion
Wyman Richardson
Acts 3:12-26
Read Acts 3:12-26
You will notice a significant parallel between Acts 2 and Acts 3. In both chapters there is a miraculous display of God's power, the attraction of a large crowd as a result of that display, then an apostolic sermon from the foundation of the miracle. In both chapters, that is, miracles opened the door for proclamation. This is significant, for, as William J. Larkin, Jr. has written, miracles, in and of themselves, rarely lead to faith and conversion.
Only two times do Luke's summary statements imply that witnessing a miracle leads directly to faith (Acts 9:35,42). Witnessing miracles may contribute to a person's embrace of faith, but it cannot produce faith (see Lk. 16:31).
That is why God's Word must now be preached. It will interpret the extraordinary and call for a decision. By the Spirit's power this proclamation will work repentance and saving faith in its hearers.
Thus, Peter stands to proclaim the truth, as he had done earlier.
Faith in Christ is saving faith.
Peter is becoming a bold and brilliant preacher before our very eyes! Listen to his words.
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 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him.
In any good sermon, context is key. Peter, a Jew, stands here in the shadow of the temple, with a healed Jewish man clinging to him, and preaches to a Jewish audience. For this reason, he highlights the fact that Jesus both stands in line with the great patriarchs of Israel as well as surpasses the great patriarchs of Israel. It is a provocative move, and one that undoubtedly ...
Series: The Church in ACTSion
Wyman Richardson
Acts 3:12-26
Read Acts 3:12-26
You will notice a significant parallel between Acts 2 and Acts 3. In both chapters there is a miraculous display of God's power, the attraction of a large crowd as a result of that display, then an apostolic sermon from the foundation of the miracle. In both chapters, that is, miracles opened the door for proclamation. This is significant, for, as William J. Larkin, Jr. has written, miracles, in and of themselves, rarely lead to faith and conversion.
Only two times do Luke's summary statements imply that witnessing a miracle leads directly to faith (Acts 9:35,42). Witnessing miracles may contribute to a person's embrace of faith, but it cannot produce faith (see Lk. 16:31).
That is why God's Word must now be preached. It will interpret the extraordinary and call for a decision. By the Spirit's power this proclamation will work repentance and saving faith in its hearers.
Thus, Peter stands to proclaim the truth, as he had done earlier.
Faith in Christ is saving faith.
Peter is becoming a bold and brilliant preacher before our very eyes! Listen to his words.
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 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him.
In any good sermon, context is key. Peter, a Jew, stands here in the shadow of the temple, with a healed Jewish man clinging to him, and preaches to a Jewish audience. For this reason, he highlights the fact that Jesus both stands in line with the great patriarchs of Israel as well as surpasses the great patriarchs of Israel. It is a provocative move, and one that undoubtedly ...
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