“And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering. And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? . . . And his name (the Lord Jesus) through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all,” Acts 3:11-12, 16.
The lame man’s healing raised quite a stir in the vicinity of the temple. The shouts of joy and praise that the man made and also his thankfulness directed at Peter and John, attracted a great crowd. Seeing that crowd, Peter addressed them.
Last week we began to consider the point:
THE FIRST THING PETER DID WAS DISCLAIM ALL CREDIT OR MERIT FOR THE HEALING!
We thought about two things under that heading but I did not have time to consider a third point, but I did hint at it. I hope you gave some thought to it. The point was:
3. The spirit of the saints and angels in heaven ought to be ours because of Calvary. Revelation 4:8-11, 5:8-14; 7:9-12. Colossians 3;1-6. Let us read these verses! This is the repeated description of the praises of the host of heaven. We should live so as to imitate them girls and boys!
Now today, we take up our study by considering this point:—
I. PETER EMPHASISED IN HIS SERMON THE WICKED REJECTION OF CHRIST BY ISRAEL.
“The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; and killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses,” Acts 3:13-15. They killed the Lord Jesus, refusing Pilate’s opinion and most certainly to of God’s view of Christ, for He raised the Lord Jesus from death!
This was the most important matter for Peter to be dealt with.
1. This was not said out of a spirit of spitefulness. No, it was said because the Gospel can never do us any good until we see our dreadful, sinful guilt before God. The matter of sin was the first subject the Saviour dealt with when He began His ministry. “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent,” Matthew 4:17.
2. It is this vital element of the Gospel that the world hates! “For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day,” Mark 9:31. Nevertheless, it must be pressed home. Solomon said:“There is no man that sinneth not,” 1 Kings 8:46. Paul said: “Jews and Gentiles, . . . are all under sin.” “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:9, 23.
3. In dealing with the issue of Israel’s sin, Peter was most explicit. He did not soften his words or hold back! Verses 13-15. It is the will of God that men be told of their sins most forcefully and uncompromisingly! Their souls’ eternal salvation depend upon it. Consider John the Baptist, Matthew 3:7-8. The Saviour was the same, Matthew 15:1-3, 7-9. Many diseases require very serious surgery. The cure for sin is the most intrusive of all cures! A dying to self and to sin must take place! “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live,” Romans 8:13.