Peter speaks in Solomon’s portico
“While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. 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 in the presence of 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.
‘And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. Moses said, “The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.” And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, “And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.” God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.’”
It’s tempting to take credit for God’s work in your life, isn’t it? Once Peter had the crowd’s attention, he could have easily basked in glory for the heroic act of healing this man’s broken body. Instead, he clearly redirected the praise and gave center stage to Jesus. What a wonderful example for us!
Peter took the opportunity offered by this miracle to address the utterly astounded people, proclaiming to them their own unrighteousness and promising that their sins would be blotted out when they came to Jesus. Yes, God’s gift of healing is amazing. But even more amazing is God’s graciousness to turn us from our sins (v. 26) amid our ignorance of him (v. 17) and our outright rebellion.
Questions
- Jesus was appointed for our salvation, and we’re told to have faith in his name. At what times or in what moments is it hardest for you to rely on Christ?
- Peter was bold in naming sin. What sins in your life need to be named, confessed, and repented of? What would keep you from walking in the light with your small group?
- Verses 19–20 connect repentance with refreshing that comes from the presence of the Lord. In what ways have you experienced times of refreshing as you have repented?
Prayer
Father, thank you for sending the Author of life to die for us. Thank you for raising him from the dead, releasing death’s hold on him and on us. Thank you for the name of Jesus and the saving faith all can have in that name. Please bring to mind the things you are calling us to repent of, and refresh us with your presence.
This small-group study is adapted from Week 7 of the Acts Study Guide.
