Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Acts 3:11-26 (ESV)
Peter Speaks in Solomon’s Portico
11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. 12 And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate when he had decided to release him. 14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all. 17 “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19 Repent, therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. 22 Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. 23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ 24 And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. 25 You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ 26 God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”
In your coming to Christ, did you need to be hit over the head about your sin first?
Holy God, I just want all people to know that you love them and about Your great love, mercy, and grace. I have done some things in my life that I regret. I was overcome by an awareness of sin, some of which I didn’t even consider a sin. I realized that I am just as guilty for Your pain and suffering on that cross as those who crucified You. Recognizing that my sins were on the cross can be overwhelming. Some people don’t want to admit that they need You and are gripped by guilt for what they have done. But people looking only at the sin miss the Son. Your cross is a humbling reminder that as a sinner, I fall short of Your glory and need Your grace. No matter how my outrageous sins may have been, You took them all to the cross and forgave them. You broke the shackles of sin and guilt that Satan tries to keep us bound in. You have a plan for me and can use me for Your kingdom. As broken as I am, as shameful as my past may have been, You redeem my future built on the foundation of Your great love and forgiveness. Lord Jesus, thank You. I praise and worship You with all my heart. I am motivated to share the gift of forgiveness with those who need to hear of Your healing grace and what You did for me. I want all people to know the peace, hope, and contentment that comes from living in forgiveness and grace. Send me out. Immersed in Your saving grace, Amen