Whose words contain the central message of Christianity? When we repent, from what and to whom do we turn? Let’s look at Acts 3.
What miracle occurred as Peter and John met a beggar at the Temple?
One afternoon, Peter and John were on their way to the Temple for the three o’clock prayer time. Now a man who had been crippled from birth was being carried in. Every day people would lay him at what was called the Beautiful Gate so that he could beg from those who were going into the Temple. When he saw that Peter and John were about to go into the Temple, he asked them to give him something. Peter, along with John, looked him straight in the eye and said, “Look at us!” So the man watched them closely, expecting to get something from them. However, Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold, but I’ll give you what I do have. In the name of Jesus the Messiah from Nazareth, walk!” Then Peter took hold of his right hand and began to help him up. Immediately his feet and ankles became strong, and he sprang to his feet, stood up, and began to walk. Then he went with them into the Temple, walking, jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they knew that he was the man who used to sit and beg at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. (Acts 3:1-10 ISV)
To whom did Peter give credit as he addressed a crowd wondering about the beggar’s healing?
And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering. And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. (Acts 3:11-16 KJV)
What did Peter add to repent, meaning a change of heart, that is often overlooked? The Greek word that Peter added is variously translated as be converted, or turn to God.
“And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did also. But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time. (Acts 3:17-21 LSB)
Who did Peter explain that we must listen to? Are hearing and reading the Gospels therefore important? Is the whole world blessed by this?
Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your countrymen; to Him you shall listen regarding everything He says to you. And it shall be that every soul that does not listen to that prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’ And likewise, all the prophets who have spoken from Samuel and his successors onward, have also announced these days. It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God ordained with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ (Acts 3:22-25 NASB)
As Peter encouraged us to turn to God, what are we turning from?
When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways. (Acts 3:26 NASB)
Whose words contain the central message of Christianity? When we repent, from what and to whom do we turn? You decide!
