Acts 3:19-26

A Call To Repentance

On the basis of the great miracle worked in their midst and the undeniable fact of Christ's resurrection, Peter appealed to the multitude to turn from their sinful lives and be converted, or transformed. A simple comparison of this verse with Peter's statements in Acts 2:38 reveals that conversion takes place in the waters of baptism. Since one coming up out of the watery grave is made to walk in newness of life, it would certainly be reasonable to call the effects of baptism a conversion. Further, the transformation comes in the form of the sins of the obedient one being erased (Acts 3:19; Romans 6:3-11).

On Pentecost, Peter said those following his instructions would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, described here as "times of refreshing," which would certainly be the result of receiving the Comforter. The Holy Spirit had Peter go on to say that when Jesus' work in salvation was completed, then God would send Jesus again to reclaim his own. Until that time when salvation was fully accomplished, as the prophets had foretold, Peter said Jesus would remain in heaven. Of course, those who refused God's saving grace will be punished, as Moses said (Acts 3:20-23; Deuteronomy 18:15-19).

As children of Israel, those in Peter's audience should have been aware of the numerous prophecies about the coming Messiah, from Samuel through John (2 Samuel 7:12-16). They had benefitted from God's covenant with Abraham and should also have been familiar with the promise that the whole world would be blessed through the seed of Abraham. Paul told the Galatian brethren this specifically referred to one son of Abraham, Jesus (Acts 3:24-25; Galatians 3:16). The Jews, or sons of Abraham were the first to hear the gospel, just as Christ commanded (Luke 24:46-48; Romans 1:16). Jesus had come, not to restore a physical kingdom to Israel, but to bring salvation from sin. The fact that the Jews were to be the first to hear the gospel clearly implies others would also hear in the future. We know this same apostle, Peter, would play a significant role in the beginning of that proclamation too (Acts 3:26).