Page 26 - Acts Student Textbook

Who physically caused Jesus’ death? (3:13-15)

The people were responsible for Jesus’ death. Note the contrast between how the people treated
Jesus and how He should have been treated. There is a similar contrast today

The People’s Conduct The Proper Conduct
V13 — Delivered Him up God Glorified Him
Vv 13-15 — Denied Him and asked for a murderer Pilate determined to release Him
V15— Killed Jesus God raised Him from the dead

According to Peter, what led to the healing of the lame man? (3:16, 17)

Peter said it was by “Faith in His name”. ‘Faith’ does not primarily refer to any faith that the lame
man initially had. We saw that he had no idea that a healing was even under consideration (verses 3,
4). It was the apostles who had the faith. The lame man’s unquestionable, positive response implies
that he started believing in that moment.

How does the Old Testament give proof about the redemptive work of Jesus?

Our dear Apostle said "God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets". (3:18) Jesus
fulfilled OT prophecy (cf. v. 34, Matt. 5:17-48). I think Jesus Himself showed the two on the road to
Emmaus (cf. Luke 24:13-35) the OT prophecies that pertained to His suffering, death, and
resurrection. They shared this with the Apostles, who made it part of their preaching (cf. Luke 24:45).

Peter continued that the OT prophets predicted that the "Christ should suffer”. The term ‘Christ’ is
the Greek translation of the Hebrew word “Messiah" (2:31), which means Anointed One. This refers
to God's special agent whose life and death would inaugurate the new age of righteousness, the new
age of the Spirit. The affirmation that Jesus was/is the Christ/Messiah promised by YHWH becomes a
recurrent theme of the preaching of Acts: Peter – 2:31; 3:18; 5:42; 8:5. Paul – 9:22; 17:3; 18:5, 28.
The term "Suffer" was alluded to in several OT texts (cf. Gen. 3:15; Psalm 22; Isaiah 53; Zech. 12:10).
This aspect of a suffering Messiah is what surprised the Jews (cf. 1 Cor. 1:23). They were expecting a
conquering general (cf. Rev. 20:11-16). This was a recurrent theme of Apostolic sermons in Acts:
Peter (cf. Acts 3:18; 1 Pet. 1:10-12; 2:21; 3:18). Paul (cf. Acts 17:3; 26:23).

What did the people need to do to be forgiven of sin?

Peter admonished the people to repent and convert so that their sin could be blotted out (3:19). This
verse is a close parallel to Acts 2:38. In both cases Peter, by inspiration, told people in sin (specifically
those who killed Jesus) what to do to be forgiven of sin. Having convicted them of sin, he said they
must repent (2:38). Note that faith is not expressly mentioned, though we know it is required.
Therefore, faith in this case is implied.

The times of refreshing

What are the “times of refreshing” (“seasons of refreshing” —ASV) that come from the presence of
the Lord. Here Pratte helps us with different views:
“Henry says it is the blessings of refreshment and rest in Heaven (2 Thess. 1:7; Heb. 4:1). (Futuristic)
Barnes says it is all the blessings and privileges we receive, both in this life and that to come, as a
result of the gospel and salvation in Jesus. In other words, it is the sum total of all aspects of our
relationship with God because we have been converted. These times of refreshing come to us
because our sins are blotted out, thereby removing the barrier that prevented us from having God’s

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