Acts 3

Acts 3:1-4

Peter’s Sermon in the Temple and Persecution – Acts 3:1 to Acts 4:31 gives us the testimony of Peter during the birth of the early Church in Jerusalem as his sermon in the Temple stirs up persecution from the Jewish leaders. This passage will be followed by the testimony of the growth of the church in Jerusalem (Acts 4:32 to Acts 5:42). Outline – Here is a proposed outline:

1. The Healing of the Man at Gate Beautiful — Acts 3:1-102. Peter’s Sermon in the Temple — Acts 3:11-263. Peter’s Testimony to the Sanhedrin — Acts 4:1-224. The Church Prays for Boldness — Acts 4:23-31

Acts 3:11-26

Peter’s Sermon in the Temple – In Acts 3:11-26 we have Peter’s sermon in the Temple. Acts 3:15 — Word Study on “prince” - Strong says the Greek word ἀρχηγός (G747) means, “a chief leader.” BDAG says it means, “a leader, ruler, prince,” and can refer to an “originator, founder, one who begins.” Koester notes that it is a compound word consisting of ἀρχή (first) and ἄγω (to lead), denoting a both leader or a founder, with the translation “pioneer” reflecting both aspects of this word. Koester says the word ἀρχηγός is used in the LXX for those who led the children of Israel in the wilderness (Numbers 10:4; Numbers 13:2-3) and into battle (Judges 5:15; Judges 9:44; Judges 11:6; Judges 11:11, 1 Chronicles 5:24; 1 Chronicles 8:28; 1 Chronicles 26:26, 2 Chronicles 23:14, Nehemiah 2:9, Jdt 14:2).[129] This Greek word is used four times in the New Testament (Acts 3:15; Acts 5:31, Hebrews 2:10; Hebrews 12:2). Luke calls Jesus Christ the “ἀρχηγός of life” (Acts 3:15), and “ἀρχηγός and Saviour” (Acts 5:31). The author of Hebrews will use the analogy of Jesus Christ and Moses, who led the children of Israel in the wilderness (Hebrews 3:1-6). Jesus will later be called the author and finisher of our faith (Acts 12:2). [129] Craig R. Koester, Hebrews, in The Anchor Bible, eds. William Foxwell Albright and David Noel Freedman (New York: Doubleday, 2001), 228.Acts 3:15, “And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.” Acts 5:31, “Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” Hebrews 2:10, “For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” Hebrews 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Comments - Jesus paved our way to salvation as the pioneer of our redemption (Hebrews 12:2). How? Philippians 2:8, “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Hebrews 5:8, “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;” Joshua, the son of Nun, was the captain of Israel’s salvation as he led them in the conquest of the land of Canaan. In like manner, Jesus Christ has become the captain of our salvation. Acts 3:16 — “And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong” - Comments – Just to say the name of Jesus is not all there is to this miracle. In Acts 19:13-16, Jewish vagabonds used Jesus’ name and were beaten up by a demoniac. You must have also faith in His name in order to use Jesus’ name; that is, you must be a born-again Christian. Acts 3:19 — “when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord” - Comments – Note that when God’s Holy Spirit fills our hearts, we are strengthened, revived, and refreshed by His presence (Isaiah 28:12). Isaiah 28:12, “To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.” Acts 3:22-23 — Old Testament Quotes in the New Testament - This quote comes from Deuteronomy 18:15-19. Deuteronomy 18:15, “The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;” Deuteronomy 18:18-19, “I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.” Note that when the children of Israel asked God not to speak to them directly, the Lord harkened to their prayer. In answering this prayer, God gave them Moses as the spokesman for the Old Covenant. This prayer of the children of Israel is recorded in Exodus 20:18-21 and Deuteronomy 5:23-33 In comparison, God raised up Jesus as the spokesman for the New Covenant. When the priests and Levites asked John the Baptist if he were “that prophet,” they were referring to this prophecy in Deuteronomy 18:15-19. John 1:19-21, “And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.” Acts 3:24 — Scripture Reference - Note: John 5:39, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”