Acts: To The Ends Of The EarthSample

One distinctive feature about the preaching of the apostles is their obvious self-effacement. The politicians such as Herod may bask in self-glorification with disastrous results (Acts 12:21–23), but the apostles are the very opposite (Acts 14:11–15). The apostles are not gurus seeking the limelight and the acclamation of the crowds. So Peter makes it clear it is not because of his and John’s power or godliness that the cripple walks, it is because of Jesus (v. 16).

Again, a clear distinction is stated between how the Jews treated Jesus in the name of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—they disowned (vv. 13–14) and killed Him (v. 15), and how God treated Jesus—God glorified Him (v. 13) and raised Him (v. 15), and the apostles were eyewitnesses to this. Peter calls for a response in verses 17 to 26, showing the strong Jewish heritage of the Christ and that what has happened is in fulfilment of the Old Testament Scriptures (see v. 18; vv. 21–25). All have a strong element of fulfilment.

God is in control. God is working out His purposes. Therefore the Jewish crowd is to repent, for they have the privilege of being heirs to the promises of God (v. 25), and their repentance will bring about forgiveness and times of refreshing including, in Peter’s mind, the return of the Christ as He had promised (vv. 19–20). Christ’s return from heaven will be the ultimate fulfilment of God’s promises to restore all things at His coming (v. 21).

Peter sees Jesus as the fulfilment of God’s promises to Moses in Deuteronomy 18:15–19:

• like Moses, Jesus is from among their own;


• God will put His words in Jesus’ mouth;


• disobedience to Jesus’ words will be called to account.

Jesus is the prophet who not only speaks God’s words but is God’s Word (John 1:14, 18). When Jesus speaks, God speaks. When Jesus acts, God acts. In Jesus’ attitudes, we see the attitudes of God.

The healing of a crippled beggar is God accrediting His Son and His words. It is little wonder that Israel should repent of their disobedience and their treatment of Him—as should we.

Reflection

How much is ongoing repentance towards God part of your daily experience? How does apostolic self-effacement challenge self-exalting spiritual leadership?