A Lesson in Preaching the Gospel

And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering. And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. Prince...: Or, author 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. And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. 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. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. - Acts 3:11-26

    Preachers and churches would be wise to study carefully the preaching and the sermons of God's servants which are recorded for us in the Word of God, especially those found in the book of Acts. If we would be of any spiritual, eternal benefit to the souls of men, serve the interests of Christ's kingdom and honour God, there must be a return to the apostolic preaching of the cross.

    Peter and John went to the temple at the hour of prayer to preach the gospel of Christ as the Lord had commanded them. As they were going into the temple, they met a poor, crippled beggar who was healed by Christ. This man, as soon as he was healed, went into the temple leaping and praising God. Of course, this miracle caused a great commotion and aroused the interest of many. In the passage now before us Peter met this crowd of people at the point of their curiosity and preached the gospel to them. This was his second sermon after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. There is no substantial difference between this message and the one preached on that day. Like the other apostles and like Paul, who was yet to be converted, Peter constantly preached Christ to men (1 Cor. 2:1-2). In this sermon at the temple Peter shows us how the gospel is to be preached.

    1. Peter's first concern was to get the attention of his hearers focused on Christ (3:11-12)

    These people were excited and curious about the healing of the lame man. They were amazed at the mighty work performed (as they thought) by Peter and John. Therefore, Peter's first concern was to turn their attention away from the man healed, away from John and away from himself. The matter of first concern was to get people to think, not about the healed man, or the act of healing, but about Christ the healer! They were in Solomon's porch and filled with wonder. Seizing the opportunity, Peter stepped forward and said, 'Behold, one greater than Solomon has done this!' He met these people where they were, at their point of interest, but immediately endeavoured to turn their attention to Christ.

    There was no reason for amazement. 'Why marvel ye at this?' True, a lame man had been healed, but just a few weeks prior to this the Lord Jesus had raised a dead man! (John 11:43-45). Christ had repeatedly displayed his power over life and death as God. We should never be surprised to see him display that power. We ought to expect it!

    Peter would allow no honour, credit, praise, or applause to be given to himself and John. They were only instruments in the hands of Christ. True, those who are the instruments of God's favour to us should be loved, honoured, respected and highly esteemed by us for their work's sake (1 Thess. 5:12-13). But God's servants must not be idolized. True gospel preachers carefully shun recognition, desiring that Christ only be exalted and honoured (1 Cor. 3:5-7; 4: 1; 2 Cor. 4:5,7).

    2. Peter preached Christ to this multitude (3:13-16)

    This is the one thing preachers today have in common with the apostles. None today has apostolic gifts of inspiration, miracles, or tongues. But every gospel preacher is called and gifted of God to preach Christ (1 Cor. 1:17-23; 2 Cor. 4:5). In preaching Christ to this crowd of men who were guilty of murdering the Lord of glory Peter did four things.

    First, he told them who Christ is (3:13). He is the true and living God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He is the promised Messiah, the Son of David, the King of Israel. Essentially, Peter said, 'This Jesus, whom you crucified, is God over all, blessed for ever. He is the God-man, the only Lord and Saviour. That one whom you crucified, God has glorified!' (See Isa. 55:5; John 17:1-5; Rom. 14:9; Phil. 2:9-11).

    Secondly, Peter exposed their sin (3:13-15). Looking them squarely in the eye, planting his feet firmly, with great boldness, the apostle flatly and plainly charged these men with murdering the Son of God! That is what preachers are supposed to do. Faithful gospel preachers probe and probe and probe until they find your point of rebellion. They expose the enmity of your heart to God. They know that they must. Until sinners are made to see and confess their sin, they will not trust Christ and be reconciled to God.

    Thirdly, God's servant declared what Christ has done (3:15). Though he died the painful, shameful, ignominious death of the cross, Jesus Christ was raised from the dead by the power of God. That resurrection removed all reproach from him, ratified his claims (Rom. 1:1-4), confirmed his doctrine and is the basis of all faith and hope in him (Rom. 4:25-5:1; 8:33-34).

    Fourthly, the apostle proclaimed the power of the risen Christ (3:16). This miracle was performed in the name of Christ, by virtue of his power. It was a miracle done by 'the faith which is by him', by the faith which he gave. Every miracle of grace is performed by the name of Christ (4:12), through faith in him, a faith that he gives (Eph. 1:19; 2:8; Col. 2:12).

    3. Peter gave a reason/or hope (3:17-18)

    Once he had wounded them, he hoped to see them healed. They were guilty; but there is hope for the guilty because Christ died to save sinners (1 Tim. 1:15). Though they had indeed crucified the Lord of glory, the death of Christ was according to the wise and gracious purpose of God (Isa. 53:10-11; Acts 2:23). When Joseph's brothers realized who he was and what power he had, they remembered their sin and feared. But Joseph said, 'Fear not, for am I in the place of God? But God meant it unto good ... to save much people alive' (Gen. 50:19-20). The Lord Jesus Christ, our Joseph, says to guilty sinners, 'Fear not, for I am in the place of God to save much people alive.' The Lord Jesus Christ died, arose and ascended to glory to save sinners according to the will of God (Acts 5:30-31).

    4. Peter pressed upon his hearers the claims of the sovereign Christ (3:19-26)

    He urged them to repent, holding before them the promise of grace, forgiveness and reconciliation now and forever (3:19-21). He urged them to repentance by showing them the certain destruction of all who refuse to obey Christ (3:22-23). At last, Peter urged these men to repent by pointing out the fulfilment of all God's covenant blessings in Christ (3:24-26).