Clarification
Acts 3:12-16.
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? “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 before Pilate when he had decided to release him. “But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, “and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. “And his name – by faith in his name – has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.”
Dear Pilgrims and Sojourners,
As the crowd stood astonished, Peter seized the opportunity to present the gospel to them.
Glory (v. 12-13a). Peter wanted to disabuse the crowd of any notion that he and John had any power or piety in themselves that enabled them to restore the crippled beggar. He pointed instead to Christ and reasoned that the God the crowd claimed to worship and believe in was the one who has accomplished the miracle, in order to glorify Jesus. That Peter calls Jesus God’s servant is deliberate – to rub it in that God approved of Jesus, no matter who had rejected him.
Guilt (v. 13b – 15a). Peter reminded the people that they were responsible for the execution of Jesus. Pilate had found in Jesus no crime worthy of death. In vain hope, when he had offered to release a prisoner for them as the custom was, he had wished that they would choose Jesus. But they choose a murderer over the “Author of life.” That they had innocent blood on their hands was not in doubt.
Grant (v. 15b – 16). But their efforts to destroy Jesus failed. God raised him from the dead and there were Peter and John, witnesses of the fact that Jesus was alive. What is more, this Jesus is the one who had given the man they were all astounded about perfect health. God will accomplish his will. His opponents played into his hands when they killed Jesus because Jesus was now risen and able to heal through his apostles. Why do you not rid yourself of the frustration of the futility of opposing Jesus? You can share in his victory if you yield your life to him.
Your Loving Pastor Chris.