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MESSAGE SERIES: “CHURCH ON THE MOVE”
Acts 3:11-26

INTRODUCTION: Our message series is called “Church on the Move,” and we are seeing how God worked in the early church as recorded in the book of Acts. Last week we saw how Peter and John healed a beggar who was lame from birth. This week we see Peter’s interaction with the crowd immediately following that healing. (Read Acts 3:12,16 and pray.)

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We mentioned last week that it is here in chapters 3-5 of Acts that we first begin to see opposition to the gospel. Gospel proclamation will always bring opposition, but why would people be upset about Peter and John healing this man? What could possibly be wrong with that?

It all comes down to Peter’s words to the crowd immediately following the healing. Peter basically tells them, “It’s all about Jesus!” And anytime you bring the name of Jesus into the picture, be prepared for opposition. People don’t have a problem with good works or helping people or doing works of mercy. They do seem to have a problem with the name of Jesus.

But when you’re a Christian, you can’t help yourself. Jesus said, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). It’s all about Jesus, and as Christian you can’t help but share that with those around you.

That’s exactly what Peter does here. The crowd comes running when they hear about this miraculous healing, and Peter tells them, “It’s all about Jesus!” And he does this in three ways.

I. All the glory belongs to Jesus (11-16)

First, he tells them all the glory belongs to Jesus.

   A. Don’t take any glory for yourself (11-12)
      – Philippians 3:9, 4:13

And if all the glory belongs to Jesus, then that means you shouldn’t be taking any glory for yourself. We see this in verses 11-12:

While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?” (Acts 3:11-12)

The people are astonished by this healing and come running. Now, if Peter and John healed this lame man by their own power, then yes, that would be astonishing. But when you know the power of Jesus Christ, nothing should surprise you.

Peter and John are careful not to take any of the glory for themselves. They specifically discount their own power or godliness as having anything to do with this healing. They don’t have the power to heal a beggar lame from birth. They have no special godliness of their own that would give them a direct channel to God for healing.

When God uses you in some way— be thankful, be grateful—but don’t make the mistake of thinking that you have done this by your own strength or godliness. Your strength is not your own. It comes from God. As Paul said in Philippians: “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:13). Your godliness is not your own. It comes from God. As Paul also said in Philippians: “… not having a righteousness of my own but that which comes from God and is by faith” (Phil. 3:9). So, don’t take any glory for yourself. It’s not about you. It’s all about Jesus.

   B. God glorified Jesus whom we crucified (13-15)

This healing had nothing to do with the apostles’ power or godliness. Something else was at work here. What was that something else? Peter proclaims to the onlookers that God has glorified Jesus whom they crucified. Look at verses 13-15:

“The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.” (Acts 3:13-15)

Peter doesn’t mince any words here. First, Peter identifies who he means by God. It is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers who has done this. Peter draws a straight line from the God of Israel in the Old Testament to this healing that has now taken place in New Testament times.

Peter also identifies who he means by Jesus. He calls Jesus God’s servant. Jesus is the servant found in the servant songs of the prophet Isaiah. Peter may be especially thinking of Isaiah 52:13 which speaks of the servant as being raised and lifted up and highly exalted. Jesus has been raised and lifted up and exalted to heaven where he is now working through the Holy Spirit to do these amazing things.

Peter says that God has glorified this Jesus whom they rejected. How did they reject Jesus? They certainly rejected Jesus’ teaching ministry while he was alive, but Peter is especially thinking of the crucifixion here.

Peter tells them four ways they rejected Jesus at the crucifixion. First, they handed him over to be killed. Secondly, they disowned him before Pilate. This must have been a tough one for Peter to bring up as he also disowned Jesus—three times—the night of his arrest. Thirdly, they asked for a murderer to be released. This was Barabbas whom they chose over Jesus when Pilate gave them an opportunity to release a prisoner. And then, finally, Peter says they killed the author of life. This is a strong statement of Jesus’ divinity. Jesus is the creator and giver of life, and Peter tells the crowd, “You killed him.”

Now, of course not everyone in this crowd was part of the crowd that called for Jesus to be crucified. But the reason Peter is able to implicate them all is because we are all guilty of Christ’s death. Jesus died for sin. We are all sinners, and so each of us is responsible. We are all guilty of killing the author of life, but God raised him from the dead.

Peter tells them he and John are both witnesses of this. Remember, this was one of the qualifications to be an apostle. The apostles had to be with Jesus from the beginning, and they had to be witnesses of his resurrection. Peter and John were both witnesses of Christ’s resurrection, and they fearlessly proclaim that God by raising him from the dead has glorified Jesus whom we crucified.

   C. We also should give all the glory to Jesus (16)

And if God has glorified Jesus, so should we. We should give all the glory to Jesus, which is exactly what Peter and John do here. Look at verse 16 where Peter continues:

“By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.” (Acts 3:16)

Peter turns the people’s attention away from himself and away from the healed man and directs their attention to Jesus instead. This man was healed by the power of Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him.

The power is in the name of Jesus. It is through faith that we appropriate that power. We find a similar thought in Romans 1:16 where we learn that the gospel is the power of salvation for everyone who believes. There is power in the name of Jesus, but you must have faith to appropriate that power.

The people come running to see this amazing thing that Peter and John have done. But Peter is adamant. It’s all about Jesus! The lesson for us is clear. 1) Don’t take any glory for yourself. 2) God has glorified Jesus. And so, 3) we also should give all the glory to Jesus.

II. All these things were foretold about Jesus (17-21)

So, first Peter tells them that all the glory belongs to Jesus. Next, he says that all these things were foretold about Jesus. And here he is especially speaking of Jesus’ suffering, crucifixion, death, resurrection and ascension.

   A. The Messiah’s suffering was foretold (17-18)
      – Psalm 22; Isaiah 50:6, 53:5

First, he tells them that the Messiah’s suffering was foretold. Look at verses 17-18:

“Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer.” (Acts 3:17-18)

Peter softens the blow for a moment here. He tells them they acted in ignorance. The Bible speaks about sins of both ignorance and presumption. Unintentional sins were still sins, and they still needed a sacrifice to cover them, but they were not on the same level as open or defiant sins against the Lord (Num. 15:27-31).

Peter tells the people they acted in ignorance when they crucified Jesus, as did their leaders. The apostle Paul spoke of God’s secret wisdom revealed in the cross which none of the rulers of this age understood, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory (1 Cor. 2:8). Paul referred to himself as a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, but says he was shown mercy because he acted in ignorance and unbelief (1 Tim. 1:13). Jesus himself prayed from the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).

And so, Peter acknowledges that they did not realize they were crucifying the Messiah when they crucified Jesus. They didn’t know what they were doing, but God knew what he was doing. This was how God fulfilled what was written about Christ. All this was foretold in the Scriptures (Ps. 22; Isa. 50:6, 53:5). It was all part of God’s plan.

   B. Jesus is the promised and appointed Messiah (19-20)
      – Psalm 2:7, 110:4

But now, Peter tells them, they cannot claim ignorance any longer. God has glorified Jesus by raising him from the dead. Jesus is the promised and appointed Messiah, and therefore they need to repent and turn to God. Look at verses 19-20:

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.” (Acts 3:19-20)

In other words, ignorance is no excuse. Their sin can be forgiven, but first they must repent. Peter says three things happen when you repent of your sins and turn to God through faith in Christ.

First of all, your sins are forgiven. Peter says they’re wiped out. It’s a word that means to wash off, obliterate or erase. God says in Isaiah 43: “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more” (Is. 43:25). When you repent of your sins and turn to God through faith in Christ, your sins are wiped clean. They are forgotten with no trace remaining. God wipes the slate clean, and you are given a new start. Who doesn’t want a new start?

Secondly, you will receive times of refreshing from the Lord. The word refreshing here carries the idea of a cooling breeze. When you come to God through Jesus, you receive spiritual rest and refreshment through the Holy Spirit. Your sins are forgiven, and you are brought into the very presence of God where you receive his blessing and favor.

In Psalm 32 David speaks of this blessedness we receive when we confess and turn from our sins. He testifies that when he kept silent, his bones wasted away through his groaning all night long. His strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. But then he confessed his sin to the Lord, and the cooling breeze of God’s forgiveness came and restored him (Ps 32:1-5). That’s the second thing that happens when you repent and turn to the Lord. You receive times of refreshing from the Lord.

And then thirdly, you are now ready for Christ’s return. Peter said: “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus” (Acts 3:19-20). God is getting ready to send Jesus who is the promised and appointed Messiah. The question is, “Are you ready?” The answer is: “Only if you repent of your sins and turn to God through faith in Christ.”

Jesus is the promised and appointed Messiah (Psalm 2:7, 110:4). God established that by raising him from the dead. It was our sins that put him on the cross. We are responsible, and we can claim ignorance no longer.

   C. When Jesus returns God will restore everything as foretold (21)
      – Isaiah 11:1-9, 65:17-25; cf. Acts 1:6

All these things were foretold about Jesus. Jesus is the promised and appointed Messiah, and when Jesus returns God will restore everything as foretold. Look at verse 21 next where Peter says of Jesus:

“He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.” (Acts 3:21)

Right before his ascension, Jesus’ disciples asked him: “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). Now Peter proclaims that when Jesus returns God will restore everything as foretold in the prophets. We find these prophecies scattered throughout the Old Testament but especially in the book of Isaiah (Is. 11:1-9, 65:17-25).

III. All the Old Testament points to Jesus (22-26)

In other words, it’s all about Jesus! All the glory belongs to Jesus. All these things were foretold about Jesus. And then finally, Peter says that all the Old Testament points to Jesus. And here he gives three specific examples. Jesus is the prophet like Moses. Jesus is the one spoken of by all the prophets. Jesus is Abraham’s offspring who brings blessing to the world.

   A. Jesus is the prophet like Moses (22-23)
      – Deuteronomy 18:15,18-19

First, Jesus is the prophet like Moses. Look at verses 22-23:

“For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from among his people.’” (Acts 3:22-23)

Here Peter quotes from Deuteronomy 18, one of the most important prophecies in the Old Testament for the Jewish people. Moses told the people of Israel that God would raise up a prophet like him from among their people, and when he does, they must listen to him. Otherwise, God will call them to account.

This prophecy was partially fulfilled by the long line of prophets God raised up to speak to Israel over the years, but now it culminates in a single person. Peter says that person is Jesus. Jesus is the one Moses spoke about, and anyone who does not listen to him will be cut off from God’s people.

This of course is another reason why they must repent. They did not listen to Jesus when he came speaking God’s word. Instead, they disowned him and called for his crucifixion. Jesus is the prophet like Moses.

   B. Jesus is the one spoken of by all the prophets (24)
      – all the many prophecies of Christ in the Old Testament

Not only that, but Jesus is also the one spoken of by all the prophets. Look at verse 24:

“Indeed, all the prophets from Samuel on, as many as have spoken, have foretold these days.” (Acts 3:24)

All the prophets from Samuel on spoke about the days of the Messiah, and now those days are here. Jesus is the prophet like Moses from Deuteronomy, and he is the Messiah of whom all the prophets spoke: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi. And not only those prophets with books named after them, but the other prophets like Samuel, David, Elijah and Elisha. All the Old Testament prophets foretold these days because all the Old Testament points to Jesus.

   C. Jesus is Abraham’s offspring who brings blessing to the world (25-26)
      – Genesis 12:2-3, 22:16-18, 26:4

And then thirdly, Jesus is Abraham’s offspring who brings blessing to the world. Look at verses 25-26:

“And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’ 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 3:25-26)

When God first called Abraham, he told him: “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Gen. 12:2-3).

Later, right after Abraham obeyed God by offering up his son Isaac, God told him: “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore … and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed” (Gen. 22:16-18).

We know this offspring can’t be Isaac himself, because later on God tells Isaac the same thing: “I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because Abraham obeyed me” (Gen. 26:4-5). No, this offspring prophesied to Abraham was none other than Jesus himself.

Peter has now traced Jesus all the way back through the prophets and through Moses to the covenant God made with Abraham. He encourages the people. He tells them, “You are the heirs of all this. You are the heirs of the prophets and the covenant God made with Abraham. This Jesus whom you rejected is for you! God raised him up and sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.” The words “raised up” here refer not to Jesus’ resurrection but to God raising up the prophet like Moses who came and spoke God’s word to them.

The whole Old Testament points to Jesus. He is the prophet like Moses. He is the one spoken of by all the prophets. He is Abraham’s offspring who brings blessing to the world.

CONCLUSION: It’s all about Jesus! All the glory goes to Jesus. All these things were foretold about Jesus. All the Old Testament points to Jesus. Faith in the name of Jesus brings forgiveness, healing, refreshing and restoration.

Jesus is the promised and appointed Messiah. It was our sins that put him on the cross. We killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. Therefore, we need to repent of our sins and turn to God. When you do, your sins will be forgiven, you will receive times of refreshing from the Lord, and you will be part of the new heaven and earth when God restores all things at Jesus’ return. Let’s give Jesus all the glory because it’s all about him. It’s all about Jesus.

© Ray Fowler

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