Acts (3)

Be sure to view the video introducing our study of Acts 3 (Lesson 3) by clicking here.

Read and meditate on Acts 2.22-26.
Peter assumes an authority for his words which is the same as that of the Old Testament. He explains that Jesus is the promised Prophet Who has life in Himself and Whom to disobey is to perish. Again we see Peter inserting this warning of judgment: You’ve heard the Good News; reject it to your peril. We have to include the bad news along with the Good, if only to keep the whole truth in a proper perspective.

For reflection
1. Moses was speaking about Jesus, just as Jesus was being promised in the covenant with Abraham and proclaimed in the prophets throughout the Old Testament. The Scriptures everywhere testify to Jesus and the Kingdom God is bringing through Him. How can we improve our reading of Scripture to see this as clearly as Peter did?

2. The mention here of “all the families of the earth” being blessed not only ties into the covenant with Abraham but serves to foreshadow events to come in the book of Acts. Jesus must first bring the blessings of salvation to the people of Israel. From there, it’s to the ends of the earth (Acts 1.8)! Does your church have a vision for bringing the blessings of Christ to its community? Do the members of your church go out into your community like Peter did into his, ready to proclaim and show the Kingdom of God? Explain.

3.  But again, just to be clear: There will be no blessing, no forgiveness, and no hope of promise without repentance, without turning from “wickedness” to the holiness and righteousness of God. Why do we seem to have such a hard time talking about things like this in our day?

4.  So Peter’s first sermon wasn’t a fluke, a momentary burst of courage perhaps sustained as much by adrenalin as by a real and transforming spiritual experience. No, he’s a changed man, a bold man, a caring and urgent man – a man on a mission. Peter is like that generation who invaded the land of promise in the book of Joshua. Whereas previously the people of Israel (and Peter) demurred and denied the Lord and His promised land, now this new generation was full-steam ahead, all faith and fearlessness, taking on giants and laying the foundations of the Kingdom of God. Just like Peter. Just like you? Explain.

5.  Do you lack boldness in the Lord in any area of your life? Are you willing to seek the Lord for boldness to be His witness? Seek, proclaim, and wield the power of the Kingdom: How can this become more a way of life for you?

Summary
Peter and John were obviously very serious about the Gospel. They made the most of the opportunity that infectious faith had created, and, as we shall see, their Kingdom effort made a tremendous impact on the people and culture of their day. Why do we not tend to think or live or work this way in churches today?

Closing Prayer
Those who trust in the LORD
Are like Mount Zion,
Which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So the LORD surrounds His people
From this time forth and forever.
For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest
On the land allotted to the righteous,
Lest the righteous reach out their hands to iniquity.
Do good, O LORD, to those who are good,
And to those who are upright in their hearts.
As for such as turn aside to their crooked ways,
The LORD shall lead them away
With the workers of iniquity.
Peace be upon Israel!

Psalm 125

T. M. Moore

Each week’s studies in Acts are bound together into a free PDF that you can download for personal or group use (click here). Each week also features a video related to the studies of the week, which you may find helpful as you work through our studies Acts.

Acts is the record of Christ’s ongoing work as King and Lord. For more insight to His work in our here and now, order the book, The Kingship of Jesus, from our online store by clicking here.

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