Acts (Part 25) – Acts 3:15-17

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Acts (Part 25) – Acts 3:15-17

Act 3:15 – And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

1. And killed the Prince of life,
   1. God lays the blame on the Jews for the murder of Jesus Christ.
      1. Even though they didn’t hang Him on the cross themselves, they were still guilty of His murder.
      2. David did not kill Uriah with his own hands, but God held him responsible for his murder.
      3. See comments on Acts 2:36.
   2. Jesus is the Prince of life.
      1. Jesus is a prince (Isa 9:6; Rev 1:5).
      2. Jesus is the life (Joh 14:6).
      3. Jesus is eternal life (1Jo 1:2).
      4. As the Prince of Life, Jesus sovereignly gives life to whom He will (Joh 5:21).
      5. We reign in life by the Prince of Life (Rom 5:17).
      6. This name of Jesus shows us that He is a King Who sovereignly gives life to whom He will.
   3. whom God hath raised from the dead;
      1. Jesus was raised from the dead by the Trinity.
      2. See comments on Acts 2:24.
   4. whereof we are witnesses.
      1. The apostles, and many others, were witnesses that Jesus Christ rose from the dead.
      2. See comments on Acts 2:32.

Act 3:16 – 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.

1. And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong,
   1. The lame man was healed by the name of Jesus Christ (Act 3:6-7; Act 4:10).
   2. Peter was the means through which God healed the man because Peter had faith that he would be healed by the name of Jesus Christ.
   3. On different occasions, Jesus healed people when they believed that He would (Mat 9:2, 22; Mar 10:52; Luk 17:19).
2. whom ye see and know:
   1. The people saw him healed (Act 3:8-9).
   2. They knew him before he was healed (Act 3:10).
   3. This made the miracle undeniable.
3. yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
   1. God did not partially or temporarily heal the man.
   2. He gave him perfect soundness of body.
   3. There was no sleight of hand; it was a complete healing in the presence of all.

Act 3:17 – And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.

1. And now, brethren,
   1. Despite the fact that they murdered the Lord Jesus Christ (Act 3:14-15), Peter nevertheless has mercy on them, calling them brethren.
   2. They were his brethren in the sense of being Jews of the same nation and heritage as Peter (Act 7:23; Rom 9:3-4).
   3. We should show mercy over judgment whenever possible (Mat 5:7; Luk 6:36; Jam 2:13).
2. I wot that through ignorance ye did it,
   1. The Jews persecuted Jesus (and later the unbelieving among them would persecute Christians) because they knew not Christ, nor the Father (Joh 16:3 c/w Joh 15:18-21).
   2. Paul was one such Jew who persecuted Jesus through ignorance.
      1. When Jesus asked Paul, “why persecutest thou me?” (Act 9:4), he answered, “Who art thou, Lord?” (Act 9:5).
      2. Paul truly thought he was doing the right thing by persecuting Jesus Christ and His followers (Act 26:9).
      3. Paul persecuted Jesus with a clear conscience (Act 23:1).
      4. Paul, along with many other Jews, thought they did God service when they persecuted Jesus Christ and His followers (Joh 16:2).
      5. Ignorance will alienate us from the life of God (Eph 4:18).
      6. Ignorance is dangerous (Hos 4:6; Isa 5:13).
   3. Sins that are committed in ignorance are still sins (Lev 4:27-28; Lev 5:15).
   4. Men who sin through ignorance are nevertheless guilty (Lev 5:17-18).
3. as did also your rulers.
   1. The rulers of the Jews likewise called for Jesus’ death because they knew Him not (were ignorant of Him) (Act 13:27).
   2. Rulers can sin through ignorance just like common people (Lev 4:22).