Acts 3
So, after Christmas, Easter and Pentecost, what next?
God the Son had become incarnate and dwelt among us for a time. He laid down His life at the cross as an atonement for our sins. He rose from the dead and ascended back to rule with the Father from heaven. From there the Holy Spirit had been poured out on Jesus’ followers to equip us for service. The first occasion was dramatic at the Jewish Feast of Pentecost when the Apostles spoke to crowds in the street in many different languages and three thousand people put their faith in Jesus as Messiah Saviour and King.
Well, what happened then? Acts 2 describes these new believers living harmoniously and generously together in Jerusalem, praying and learning from the Apostles’ teaching. But it wasn’t over. It was just getting started!
Acts 3 recounts how these first followers continued doing just what Jesus had foretold and instructed. They bore witness to Him, starting at the Temple in Jerusalem and spreading out from there.
Peter and John, Christians from a Jewish background, are found coming to the Temple to worship when they come upon a disabled man and they do what Jesus used to do. They show compassion to someone in need and on this occasion are enabled to perform a miracle of healing in Jesus’ name. In Solomon’ Colonnade where Jesus used to walk they use the occasion to talk about Jesus to the crowd that gathers.
So if we’re Christians what should we be doing until the Lord returns in glory? We should be witnessing to people about our Lord and Master. We should be talking about Jesus and seeking opportunities to share His grace and kindness. On occasions He may give a miracle in answer to our prayers, on others He may use the knowledge and skill He has given medical professionals or the simple, practical acts of kindness and generosity anyone can do to bring relief and point people to our Saviour.
But let’s note carefully what Peter said on this occasion. It’s not just that we talk about Jesus, what we say is important. Specifically - He was crucified for sin, has risen from the dead, reigns in heaven and is coming again!
Again, like at Pentecost, Peter doesn’t mince his words when it comes to confronting people with their sin. The worst sin is actually rejecting Jesus. The holy Author of life offered them peace but they chose the murderer Barabbas. God offers grace but we choose pride. Here is life but we embrace death.
The truth can be uncomfortable and unpopular. This message would get Peter and John locked up overnight and more persecution would follow however the Gospel was also spreading and more people were being saved all the time.
Again let’s note that New Testament Gospel preaching about Jesus builds on what has gone before in the Old Testament. Peter emphasises the continuity. This is the God of our ancestors Abraham, Moses and Samuel at work! The founding fathers of the nation were inspired to look forward to this time. Jesus was a descendant of Abraham, God had promised way back in Genesis that through Him not just Israel but all peoples on earth would be blessed. The blessing has begun, announces Peter and we repeat the message today.
Salvation is to be found in Jesus. This is the name given by heaven by which anyone from anywhere may be saved!
It ought to be simple but human history is notoriously complicated. After the first few chapters of Acts which look promising with several thousand Jewish people believing in Jesus, the authorities crack down and Israel as a nation officially reject their Messiah. They don’t want Jesus, a gentle King Who demands holiness, they want a militant person like Barabbas who will lead the fight against the Romans. They may talk about God but they are firmly committed to a worldly way of going. They will later stage a revolt and in AD70 Jerusalem and the Temple will be flattened, its people massacred or scattered for centuries.
So has Jesus’ mission failed? No indeed. Before the end of Acts the Holy Spirit pushes Peter and Paul and others out across the borders to share Jesus with people of all nations. The Church becomes international and global. As promised from Genesis, God extends His mercy and kindness to all nations. It is conceivable that in our lifetime the whole world will be reached with the Gospel! In Romans Paul predicts that as the age draws to a close a significant number of Israelis will recognise Jesus as their Messiah and this has begun to happen!
Jesus is coming soon and He will gather home all His people. Now is the day of salvation and opportunity. Let people repent and turn to God as Peter says that sins may be wiped out, the Spirit give refreshing new life and the day of Christ’s appearing come that bit closer.
So, after Christmas, Easter and Pentecost, what next?
God the Son had become incarnate and dwelt among us for a time. He laid down His life at the cross as an atonement for our sins. He rose from the dead and ascended back to rule with the Father from heaven. From there the Holy Spirit had been poured out on Jesus’ followers to equip us for service. The first occasion was dramatic at the Jewish Feast of Pentecost when the Apostles spoke to crowds in the street in many different languages and three thousand people put their faith in Jesus as Messiah Saviour and King.
Well, what happened then? Acts 2 describes these new believers living harmoniously and generously together in Jerusalem, praying and learning from the Apostles’ teaching. But it wasn’t over. It was just getting started!
Acts 3 recounts how these first followers continued doing just what Jesus had foretold and instructed. They bore witness to Him, starting at the Temple in Jerusalem and spreading out from there.
Peter and John, Christians from a Jewish background, are found coming to the Temple to worship when they come upon a disabled man and they do what Jesus used to do. They show compassion to someone in need and on this occasion are enabled to perform a miracle of healing in Jesus’ name. In Solomon’ Colonnade where Jesus used to walk they use the occasion to talk about Jesus to the crowd that gathers.
So if we’re Christians what should we be doing until the Lord returns in glory? We should be witnessing to people about our Lord and Master. We should be talking about Jesus and seeking opportunities to share His grace and kindness. On occasions He may give a miracle in answer to our prayers, on others He may use the knowledge and skill He has given medical professionals or the simple, practical acts of kindness and generosity anyone can do to bring relief and point people to our Saviour.
But let’s note carefully what Peter said on this occasion. It’s not just that we talk about Jesus, what we say is important. Specifically - He was crucified for sin, has risen from the dead, reigns in heaven and is coming again!
Again, like at Pentecost, Peter doesn’t mince his words when it comes to confronting people with their sin. The worst sin is actually rejecting Jesus. The holy Author of life offered them peace but they chose the murderer Barabbas. God offers grace but we choose pride. Here is life but we embrace death.
The truth can be uncomfortable and unpopular. This message would get Peter and John locked up overnight and more persecution would follow however the Gospel was also spreading and more people were being saved all the time.
Again let’s note that New Testament Gospel preaching about Jesus builds on what has gone before in the Old Testament. Peter emphasises the continuity. This is the God of our ancestors Abraham, Moses and Samuel at work! The founding fathers of the nation were inspired to look forward to this time. Jesus was a descendant of Abraham, God had promised way back in Genesis that through Him not just Israel but all peoples on earth would be blessed. The blessing has begun, announces Peter and we repeat the message today.
Salvation is to be found in Jesus. This is the name given by heaven by which anyone from anywhere may be saved!
It ought to be simple but human history is notoriously complicated. After the first few chapters of Acts which look promising with several thousand Jewish people believing in Jesus, the authorities crack down and Israel as a nation officially reject their Messiah. They don’t want Jesus, a gentle King Who demands holiness, they want a militant person like Barabbas who will lead the fight against the Romans. They may talk about God but they are firmly committed to a worldly way of going. They will later stage a revolt and in AD70 Jerusalem and the Temple will be flattened, its people massacred or scattered for centuries.
So has Jesus’ mission failed? No indeed. Before the end of Acts the Holy Spirit pushes Peter and Paul and others out across the borders to share Jesus with people of all nations. The Church becomes international and global. As promised from Genesis, God extends His mercy and kindness to all nations. It is conceivable that in our lifetime the whole world will be reached with the Gospel! In Romans Paul predicts that as the age draws to a close a significant number of Israelis will recognise Jesus as their Messiah and this has begun to happen!
Jesus is coming soon and He will gather home all His people. Now is the day of salvation and opportunity. Let people repent and turn to God as Peter says that sins may be wiped out, the Spirit give refreshing new life and the day of Christ’s appearing come that bit closer.
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