Lord Jesus, it overwhelms us that You have called us also to be the seed of Abraham because of our faith in Jesus. We give You the glory. In Your name, we pray. Amen.”
Act 3:11-12 Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon’s, greatly amazed. (12) So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?
As all the people ran to see the miracle of the healing of the lame man, Peter and John began the next phase of their ministry. They directed their attention to this crowd that was gathering with great interest. They were not going to miss this opportunity to communicate the message of Jesus.
Opportunities such as these will happen in life. They will happen suddenly. When such occasions occur, we must be ready and prepared to present Christ as Lord. II Timothy 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
As we look closely at the message of Peter here in Acts chapter three and compare it with his message in Acts chapter two, we see several differences.
The audience in Acts chapter two were devout Jews from all over the world. Whereas, the Jews here at the temple, were the common people, who came to the temple to worship. Therefore, the way Peter presents Christ, for this audience to surrender to Jesus as Lord, is distinctly different.
This is another important lesson for us to note. As we share the message of Jesus Christ with different audiences, we must be totally dependent on and led by His Holy Spirit, to speak with the wisdom of God, appropriately, to different groups.
How is Peter presenting Christ to his audience here in Acts chapter three?
He begins by addressing the group as, ‘Men of Israel…’ This identity of Israel carried great substance.
Romans 9:4-5 who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises;(5) of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.
Besides all that Israel represents, very importantly, they have given Christ to the rest of the world.
What was God’s purpose in calling Israel to be the chosen nation of God?
Exodus 19:3-6 And Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: (4) ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. (5) Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. (6) And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation*.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”
They were to be a demonstration of a people redeemed by God. They were to be those who would obey God and keep His covenant. In doing so, Israel would be a special treasure to God above everybody else, who seeks and serves other gods.
They were to be a kingdom of priests, which meant that they would be both rulers as well as those who mediate between man and God. They were to be a prototype to the nations of the world as to how a holy nation of God ought to be, in the total well-being of her people.
Israel continues to be God’s chosen people. Nevertheless, the understanding of Israel is wider.
Romans 9:6-8 But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, (7) nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, “IN ISAAC YOUR SEED SHALL BE CALLED.”(8) That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed.
Not all Israel is of Israel. Israel before God are only those who are the children of promise. These are counted as the seed of Abraham. It is faith in Jesus that makes us the children of God. Galatians 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
If we are Christ’s, then we become the seed of Abraham. Galatians 3:29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
The Gospel was preached to Abraham, for God was reaching the whole world through faith in Jesus Christ. Galatians 3:7-9 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. (8) And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” (9) So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.
As His church, let us consider and apply this message of Peter to us as His church, as much as this message was for the common Jews gathered at the temple.