Peter’s Speech cont’d (Acts 3:17-26)

Now I know, brothers, that you acted out of ignorance, just as your leaders did; 18 but God has thus brought to fulfillment what he had announced beforehand through the mouth of all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer.  19 Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away, 20 and that the Lord may grant you times of refreshment and send you the Messiah already appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of universal restoration of which God spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old.  22 For Moses said: ‘A prophet like me will the Lord, your God, raise up for you from among your own kinsmen; to him you shall listen in all that he may say to you.  23 Everyone who does not listen to that prophet will be cut off from the people.’  24 Moreover, all the prophets who spoke, from Samuel and those afterwards, also announced these days.  25 You are the children of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your ancestors when he said to Abraham, ‘In your offspring all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’  26 For you first, God raised up his servant and sent him to bless you by turning each of you from your evil ways.”'

 Peter excused the Jews for following their leaders and putting the Messiah to death (v. 17).  Jesus’ own words from the cross could support such an argument; “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do (Lk. 23:34).”  Salvation came through the suffering servant of God, the Messiah’s suffering and death (v. 18; Is. 52:13-53-12).  They could therefore be offered the opportunity to repent and be converted (v. 19).  But they bore personal responsibility because the scriptures where the prophets revealed God’s plan were read to them every Sabbath in the Temple (Acts 13:27-28).  They could still repent and be converted so that they may receive the gift of the Holy Spirit which would refresh them.  The Messiah appointed for them will be sent to restore Israel (v. 20; cf. Acts1:6-7).  However, God’s action will be contingent upon Israel’s response to the Messiah.  The Risen Christ, the Messiah, was assumed into heaven and will remain there until all that the prophets foretold has been accomplished.  Then will be the time for the final salvation, the appointed time (v. 21; Acts 1:11; Rev. 1:7).

Now is the best time for Israel’s conversion, the time of the risen Messiah (Acts 2:17; Jl. 3:1-5).  Peter used the OT scriptures to support what he was telling them; “A prophet like me will the Lord, your God, raise up for you from among your own kindred; that is the one to whom you shall listen (v. 22; Deut. 18:15-16)” coupled with, “Those who do not humble themselves on this day shall be cut off from the people (Lev. 23:29).”  Those who ignore the proclamation of salvation through Jesus Christ will be cut off completely from the chosen people (v. 23).  Those times were foretold by Moses and the prophets that followed (v. 24).  Israel was the first to receive the promise from God through Abraham, “In your descendants all the nations of the earth will find blessing (Gen. 22:18).”  The risen Christ summoned them to repentance (v. 26).

Almighty God, now is always the best time for repentance and conversion.  Jesus said no one knows the day or the hour of his return and no one knows the day or hour when he will be called home.  Let us pray that we will not be found lacking on the day or hour we met the Risen Christ.  This we pray through the same Christ our Lord.  Amen!

 __________________________________

References

Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.

Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990