"While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Collonade." (Acts 3:11) Peter recognizes this as a wonderful opportunity to share the gospel. He never misses an opportunity to share the gospel, and neither should we, for he instructs us, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." (1 Peter 3:15) The people are filled with "wonder and amazement" (Acts 3:10) and are asking each other what the healing of this man means. Peter is about to tell them what it means.
The people gather around and Luke tells us, "When Peter saw this, he said to them: 'Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we have made this man walk?'" (Acts 3:12) The healed man is clinging to Peter and John as if the power to heal is of them and not of the Lord. The people gathering around them are staring at them in the same way they stared at Jesus, hoping that these men might hold the solution to all their worldly problems. As any genuine Christian will do, Peter points the people away from himself and to the Lord Jesus Christ. He says to them, "Do you think John or I possess the power to make a man walk who was born lame and has never stood on his legs a day in his life until now? Do you think we are holy enough or perfect enough to do such a miracle? We are not capable of doing such things in our own power or strength, but I can point you to the One who is. We are not perfect, but I can tell you Who is."
"The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus. You handed Him over to be killed, and you disowned Him before Pilate, though he had decided to let Him go. You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, but God raised Him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through Him that has completely healed him, as you all can see." (Acts 3:12-16) Bible scholar William Barclay says of this passage, "The early preachers always stressed the basic fact that the crucifixion was the greatest crime in human history. Whenever they speak of it there is a kind of shocked horror in their voices. They tried to stab men's minds with the realization of the sheer crime of the cross. It is as if they said, 'Look what sin can do.'"
Peter points out, "When presented with a choice, you chose darkness rather than light. You crucified the Lord. But God raised Him from the dead, because the author of life cannot be held by death. And it is through the name of Jesus that this lame man is able to walk. If Jesus were not the Christ, He would not have risen from the dead. And if Jesus were not the Christ, there would be no power in His name."
The consciences of Peter's listeners are burning. They feel like those who asked at Pentecost, "Brothers, what shall we do?" They wonder whether they've lost the chance to know their Savior, so Peter reassures them that it's not too late. "Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. But this is how God fulfilled what He had foretold through all the prophets, saying that His Messiah would suffer. Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that He may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you---even Jesus. Heaven must receive Him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as He promised long ago through His holy prophets." (Acts 3:17-21) There are people in the crowd who believe Jesus is the Christ. Now that they believe this, they must repent and turn away from their wicked ways.
Peter evidently believes that if at this point the nation of Israel turns to Christ, He will immediately return to set up the kingdom. Since Peter is preaching by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, we can only assume that Christ would have returned and begun to reign if the nation as a whole had accepted Him as their Lord. But this did not happen, and because it didn't happen the gospel came to the Gentiles. That's good news for people like me whose Gentile ancestors wasted their time and their lives by bowing down to false gods. Because it didn't happen the Lord is still seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven. That's good news for the world because it means it's not too late to know the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. If you don't know Him as your Savior, as Peter urges, "Repent, then, and turn to Him, so that your sins may be wiped out."
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