Acts 3:16-17 And his name through faith in his name has made this man strong, whom you see and know: yes… The apostle seems to say, "Ye have rejected Christ, and this is a great evil; ye know not the privilege of faith in Him, and therefore your loss is great; but still do not despair." In order to reassure his hearers he — I. REMINDED THEM OF THE DIVINE ORIGIN OF THE PROPHECIES OF THE OLD TESTAMENT. God had shown what the prophets had set forth; the prophets as with one mouth had declared the mind of God; and of every part of revealed truth it was to be remembered that "the mouth of the Lord had spoken it." This, in the judgment of a Jew, was a firm, foundation, and this foundation remains to this day. But what was now to be built upon it? II. INDICATED THE KEY-NOTE TO WHICH ALL THE PROPHETIC HARMONIES HAD BEEN TUNED. It was "that Christ should suffer." Then it would become evident that salvation through the death of Jesus was not a new doctrine invented by His disciples. One who began to apprehend this would quickly discern new meaning in the leading events of the last few months. III. AFFIRMED THAT GOD HAD ACCOMPLISHED HIS OWN WORD IN REGARD TO JESUS BY UNCONSCIOUS AGENTS. They bad ignorantly pursued Him to the Cross. This was some mitigation of their guilt, though not an excuse for their sin. But in all their error and evil conduct God was bringing His own purpose to pass. The Captain of our salvation was made perfect through suffering, and His death and resurrection made and declared the way of life open to all who should repent and believe. Wicked men had not meant to accomplish this, but God had wrought His sovereign will. Peter's hearers must now feel that God had been infinitely better to them than they had been to themselves. IV. TENDERLY HINTED THAT THOSE WHO, WHILE DOING WICKEDLY, HAD UNCONSCIOUSLY FULFILLED THE WILL OF GOD WERE STILL OBJECTS OF BENEVOLENT CONCERN. Being of the stock of Abraham, they were the children of the covenant. Peter's endearing word "brethren" contained the suggestion of great blessing. There are still those who need encouragement, and this can best be obtained from the Word of God, which sets forth the Saviour of men accessible to all penitent, inquirers. (W. Hudson.) Parallel Verses KJV: And his name 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. |
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