... and after the miracle ...

After the first miracle ... what does one say?

How does one react?

What do you do next?


Remember in our previous post how we saw the tough Peter just flowing in the Spirit of God during his first sermon?

Peter was a man of firsts!

He is the very example of a rock hard man transformed by Grace.

Shortly after his first sermon we find Peter and John on their way to pray in the temple. They encounter a man lame from birth that everyone knew.

Peter then says these, now famous words: "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." Some things he (and we) might not have, but we all have Jesus ... and Him we can give!

Subsequently the man stands up, starts walking and leaping about praising God. This results in many people gathering around them in Solomon's Portico and Peter giving his second sermon.

Act 2: Peter explains how the healing is the result of what Jesus did and how that the very Faith by which the miracle came to pass, was Jesus. See here also.

Then, as was the case in his first sermon, Peter says something that is easy to miss. Yet, on close inspection it drills down to the heart of the Gospel. The word choice is mind-blowing!

Peter says:

"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of יהוה" Acts 3:19

The law-preacher will preach this as if you may or could contribute towards your own salvation.

However, translating directly from the Greek the statement says: 

"Change your thinking to agree with God (metanoeō translated as repent) and be turned or inspired to worship God (epistrephō translated as converted) that your sins had been obliterated (exaleiphō translated as blotted out), that you have been recovered (like in breath, but anapsuxis translated in the English as times of refreshing) or reconciled from separation onto God Himself (translated as come from the presence of God)."

Can you see it?

It's the Gospel of Grace spoken in plain words - Beautiful Truth!

It says by means of beautiful word choice that we all are made (no part on our side) worthy to walk in absolute Victory, absolute Freedom, to take hold of our inheritance, to take dominion in this earth and rule in accordance with God's original plan for us, right now!

When Peter speaks out this truth 5000 men immediately believe because of this message of Grace!

How is it possible?

Simple!

Our sins we're obliterated!

Nothing holds us back!

Finished .. completely finished!

Praise Jesus!