Introduction
In this blog post I would like to reflect upon Peter’s address to the People at Solomon’s Portico (Acts 3:11-26). What does Peter say in his speech and what relevance does it have for his audience? In turn, how is is still relevant for us today, 2000 years later? Let’s see.
In the beginning of chapter 3 of the Acts of the Apostles, Peter and John are portrayed healing a lame man (from birth) by the temple. This lame man used to be laid by the temple every day asking for alms from whoever enters the temple. Peter and John were entering and they told the man that they had nothing to offer (i.e., money), but instead they offered the man healing in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth; and the man was raised. From verses 13 until 26 Peter’s speech is found. Peter delivered this speech to the gathered crowd that was amazed by the healing of the lame man (Acts 3:9-10).
This narrative will be speculated from three different aspects:
- The Event of Jesus (Earthly Ministry, Death and Resurrection)
- The Scriptural Interpretation
- How Does Acts 3:11-26 Challenge Us?
The Event of Jesus
The portico mentioned in the narrative was a meeting spot for the early Christians. Peter’s address affirmed that the healing was from God through his son Jesus. Here, Peter highlighted Jesus’ important events. Furthermore, he linked them to the Hebrew Scriptures stating that what the prophets foretold were fulfilled through Jesus, found in verse 18 “What God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled” (Acts 3:17).
Verse 13 is very powerful in this text for it conveys different elements in just this one verse,
“The God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him.” (Acts 3:13)
First of all, one must keep in mind that Peter knew that he had Jews in front of him, therefore his speech had to be adapted in a way they could understand it. Consequently, one may notice the reference that Peter made from the book of Exodus when he refers to God as “[t]he God of Abraham, and of Isaac and of Jacob” (Ex 3:6). He continues by stating that this God “glorified his servant Jesus”. And in verse 21 the exaltation continues, “whom heaven must receive until the time for establishing all that God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old.”
These two verses correspond to a cross reference from the Old Testament. In Isaiah, there is written, “Behold, my servant shall prosper, he shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high” (Is 52:13) By cross-referencing to the Hebrew Scriptures, Peter assisted the Jewish crowd in understanding what he was saying.
In verses 13-15 and 17, Peter puts emphasis on Jesus’ condemnation (by the Jews) and execution (by the Gentiles):
- Verse 13: “…whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate…”
- Verse 14: “…you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you”
- Verse 15: “… and killed the Author of life…”
- Verse 17: “…, I know that you acted in ignorance…”
Jesus’ death was still fresh at the time this speech was delivered. Peter’s words must have in some way struck them in remembering that they handed Jesus to Pilate. Such action led in denying Christ; that is, both his divine nature and his human nature (CCC 467). As for verse 17, knowing who Jesus truly was the Jews would not have handed Him over, thus their action of ‘ignorance’. This remark echoes with Christ’s words on the Cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Lk 23:34). In verse 14 there is also the contrast between Jesus being the innocent one and a murderer, Barabbas (Acts 3:14).
With regard to verse 15 there is a reference once again to the resurrection of Jesus, “whom God raised from the dead” and this truth is known because “to this we are witnesses.” In the gospels it is written how Jesus’ tomb is in fact still empty and about the people to whom Jesus chose to appear to.
The Scriptural Interpretation
Peter calls Jesus “servant” in verses 13 and 26:
- Verse 13: “… glorified his servant Jesus …”
- Verse 26: “… having raised up his servant …”
The title of servant was not an honourable title before it was introduced with a new mentality by the first early Christians. The idea behind ‘servant’ is that of ‘serving God’ which is one of the many Christian concepts. Jesus is not called a servant in a downgrading manner. On the contrary, it specifically denotes the fact that He had to suffer injustice under the sinners. Through his suffering, Israel and all humanity were saved. In addition, the word servant here is used right after exalting words including the words ‘glorified’ and ‘raised up.’
Other titles given to Jesus in this narrative are “Holy and Righteous One” (Acts 3:14). These titles are all titles given to Jesus before the passion. In verse 15, ‘the Author of life’ implies that all life proceeds through Jesus but also that the religion that the Jews were proclaiming and its giving of life influence is resonated through Him; it all happened before up until today because of Him.
In verses 18 and 20, ‘his Christ’ and ‘the Christ’ are the titles given to Jesus meaning the Saviour and Messiah (i.e. the one who brings salvation).
Within these same verses, respectively, there are the scriptural announces particularly of the suffering of Christ and the coming again. Additionally, in verses 24 and 25, we have a reference to the Hebrew Scriptures once again conveying that the prophecies were actually foretold for “… all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came afterwards, also proclaimed these days”.
They are descendants of such prophets, so what was being told through Samuel (him being the first to proclaim the coming of the Messiah (i.e. salvation)) was specifically for them for “all the families of the earth be blessed.”
In verse 22, Moses is quoted “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me…” (Deut 18:15-16). Indeed, in Deuteronomy, the original direct speech of Moses is found and it insists on being cautious for this prophet will be “…from among your relatives” and through him salvation is achieved. This speech corresponds to Peter’s speech at Solomon’s Portico (Acts 3:22).
How Does Acts 3:11-26 Challenge Us?
In verse 19 we find the insistence of repenting from one’s sins and turning back again, “that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” The word ‘repent’ occurs eleven times in the Acts, while it always was mentioned for the same high spiritual perspective. It is a cross-reference to Ezekiel’s ‘turn yourselves,’ in other words, be converted, “turn from your idols” (Ezek 14:6), “turn away from all your offenses” (Ezek 18:30) and “Repent and live!” (Ezek 18:32).
Baptism cleanses the sins of humanity and the baptised is thus raised by the servant. Indeed Christ the servant was sent, “to bless you in turning every one of you from your wickedness” as in verse 26. Those that know Christ are continuously challenged to put God in the centre of their lives and focus on Him primarily in all the daily decisions that they take.
One must not forget that God revealed himself through Christ, the servant, and humanity was redeemed through His Passion. Thus, humanity may be saved only through Christ. Think about this: are we ready to recognise Christ as our path to salvation? This is the challenge that this narrative puts in front of each and everyone of us.
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