Acts 3:22-26 For Moses truly said to the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up to you of your brothers, like to me… Peter urged the Jews to repent because — I. THEY BELIEVED THE PROPHETS. Those prophets had told of the Messiah and His claims, and in those prophets they professed to believe. But they had rejected Christ, and hence the necessity according to their own beliefs of repentance. This appeal is a pertinent one to-day. II. THEY ALREADY CLAIMED RELIGIOUS PRIVILEGES (ver. 25). Hence their guilt in rejecting Christ. Abraham, the patriarchs and prophets had all been believers, and the blessings of the covenant could be attained only by faith. But faith implied repentance. How many value their privileges under the Christian dispensation, and yet live in sin! But these privileges call them to repentance. III. GOD HAD CROWNED ALL THEIR FORMER PRIVILEGES BY SENDING JESUS. Yet they had rejected Him. So now — IV. WITHOUT REPENTANCE THEY MUST REMAIN IN A STATE OF DEPRAVITY. They would not be "turned from their iniquities." Those who do not repent and receive Christ remain among the enemies of God and in the bond of iniquity. V. WITHOUT REPENTANCE THEY MUST BE EXCLUDED FROM THE PEOPLE OF GOD (ver. 23). (W. Hudson.) Parallel Verses KJV: For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. |
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