11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. 12 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? 13 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. 14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 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. 17 “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 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. 22 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. 23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ 24 And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. 25 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.’ 26 God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.” —Acts 3:11-26
Introduction: We live in a world filled with quick fixes. A cracked phone screen? Replace it. A strained relationship? Move on. A restless heart? Distract it. But what about the deeper forms of brokenness? The kind we can’t escape, medicate, or ignore? What about the spiritual wounds within our souls, the guilt we carry, the shame we hide, and the sin that quietly robs us of joy? In Acts 3, Peter stands before a crowd, likely including many who witnessed the crucifixion just weeks earlier, amazed by the miraculous healing of a man who had been crippled since birth. However, Peter understands that the miracle is not the main story; it’s a sign pointing to something greater. True healing isn’t merely about restored legs; it’s about a restored life, a life made whole by the transformative power of Jesus Christ. This passage reminds us that Jesus doesn’t just offer temporary relief; He provides total restoration. He can heal what is physically broken and also restore what is spiritually shattered. But that restoration requires a response from us.
Big Idea: Jesus restores what is broken through faith and calls us to respond with
1. Faith in the name of Jesus leads to experiencing God’s restorative power. (v. 11-16)
- a. Peter addresses a crowd stunned by the healing of a man lame from birth (v. 1-10), who is now leaping and praising God. (v.12)
- b. In the seven addresses of Peter in acts he does not discuss abstract doctrines or reason about profound theological problems. He presented the person and work of Christ in simple terms.
- c. “ἐπὶ τῇ πίστει τοῦ ὀνόματος αὐτοῦ” - “By faith in His name”: Emphasis is on πίστις (faith) in the ὄνομα (name), not merely belief but trust in Jesus’ revealed character and authority. (v. 16)
- d. Miracles are signs, not destinations-; they point to Jesus.
Point people to
- e. Peter’s sermon challenges us to evaluate whether our faith is grounded in the person of Christ or the experience of religion.
- f. When you experience God’s power, give Him the glory immediately and publicly. (v.16)
2. Although man rejects Him, God remains merciful. (v. 17-18)
- a. Peter boldly confronts the crowd with their complicity in the crucifixion. Many may have been among those shouting, “Crucify him!” weeks earlier.
- b. Peter brings Four charges against the crowd:
- They had handed Jesus over to be killed. (v.13)
- They condemned Him when Pilate was about to release Him (v.13)
- They rejected “The Holy and Righteous One” out of preference for a murderer, Barabbas (v.14)
- They executed the Author of Life (v.15)
- c. Peter’s see their actions “in ignorance” (v. 17), echoing Jesus’ own words on the cross (Luke 23:34).
- d. κατὰ ἄγνοιαν ἐπράξατε”: “acted in ignorance”: ἄγνοια is not a defense but an acknowledgment of spiritual blindness.
Ignorance is not
- e. Peter frames their sin within God’s sovereign plan, referencing “what God foretold through all the prophets.” (v.18)
Our greatest failures cannot
- f. The cross was no accident-it was God’s appointment for our salvation. (v.18)
- g. God offers mercy even to those who once opposed Him. (17-19)
3. Repent, So That Times of Refreshing May Come (v. 19-26)
- a. The call to repentance echoes the message of the prophets yet now repentance includes turning to Jesus as Messiah. (v.19-25)
- b. “Repent therefore and turn back”: means a change of mind and heart; conveys turning in a new direction. (.19) We must change our thinking and affections.
- c. “Times of refreshing” was an eschatological phrase, referring to the hope of Messianic renewal and restoration. (v.20)
Repentance is not a
- d. “times of refreshing”: ἀνάψυξις is used only here in the NT and refers to relief, renewal, revival suggesting the soul-breathing life that comes from God’s presence. (v.20)
- e. We can walk in the hope of restoration today as a foretaste of the final restoration to come (v. 21).
Jesus is not only the
- f. Jesus, the Better Moses and Fulfillment of God’s Promises (v. 22-26)
- Peter quotes Deuteronomy 18:15, presenting Jesus as the Prophet like Moses; one who speaks God’s Word and leads His people. (v.22)
- Jesus is also the fulfillment of the promise to Abraham, through whom all the families of the earth shall be blessed. (v.25)
- The “servant” (v. 26) links back to Isaiah’s Servant Songs; Jesus as the suffering and victorious servant.
- g. Repentance isn’t a one-time event but a lifelong posture. (v.26)
God’s future blessings often begin with
Small Group Questions
What did God teach you through this passage and message? Share the work of God in your heart with the group.
What questions did this passage and sermon raise in your mind?
What role has faith in the name of Jesus played in your own spiritual healing or transformation?
How would you describe the difference between regret and repentance?
How does understanding Jesus as the fulfillment of all Scripture strengthen your confidence in Him?
What keeps us from repenting from sin today? What helps you to repent?