chapter 2 of acts ends with a summary of the beginning of the early church stating that the believers devoted themselves to the apostles teaching, prayer, fellowship, and to the breaking of bread [see previous posts for more on this]. after this comes an illustration of the miraculous signs and wonders seen in peter healing the crippled beggar. it is this story/event that brings us to the text for this week which is peter speaking to the onlookers who witnessed this healing.
i'd love to hear what stands out to you, what hits you, questions you have, etc.
acts3v11-26...
11While 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. 12When 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? 13The 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. 14You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 15You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 16By 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. 17"Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. 18But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ[a] would suffer. 19Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. 21He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. 22For 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. 23Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from among his people.'[b] 24"Indeed, all the prophets from Samuel on, as many as have spoken, have foretold these days. 25And 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.'[c] 26When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways."
2 comments:
Wow. That passage is long. I just read it twice and was still thinking about dinner towards the end.
Which I guess leads me to the question that really bothers me... why do I not care? And what do I do with a message that isn't new anymore?
Also, the last thing Peter says struck me: "2When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways." When I think of God's blessing I don't usually think of repentance.
I'll be praying for you as you prepare your sermon. Well, I'll pray once, at least. Usually I can remember to pray once :)
great questions christine thanks for your honesty.
the whole "what does this text say to me today?" idea is not always an easy one to answer especially when it doesn't seem new. thanks for your prayer and thoughts!
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