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Through the Bible with Les Feldick
LESSON 1 * PART 2 * BOOK 18
ACTS 4:37
In Acts Chapter 3, we have Peter and John healing the lame man by using the name of Jesus in verse 6. God holding back the Egyptian army... opening the Red Sea and many other miracles. Yet it seemingly didn't sink in what a great God they were under. Now verse 12:
There is no mention of Gentiles, there is no mention of anything except the Nation of Israel. And Peter says), Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? Is that Gentile language? "The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob (did those names mean anything to Romans? By the Gentiles. But here, Peter is laying the blame on Israel. When I emphasize that Peter is pointing the finger at Israel, I'm not taking away the Gentiles part in it all.
For Martin Luther said it was doing God a favor to kill a Jew, or burn down his business. Verse 13 again:
"The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up. Paul never points the finger at Jew or Gentile and says you killed The Christ. Galatians 1:4
Ephesians 5:25
Peter doesn't say that. Why? These things were still hidden in the mind of God, and consequently, Peter couldn't go any further than what God had revealed. Biblical faith is taking God at His word. If faith is taking God at His word, what does God have to do before we can believe what He says? God has to say it. Because God has not said a word yet, that they are not under Law, but Grace. You can't assume what God is going to do or say. We have to wait until He's spoken it, then believe it like Deuteronomy 29:29 said, "The secret things belong unto the Lord our God:..." Romans 10:17
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
The Word of God isn't some mish-mash floating around in the ethereal. The Word of God is something that The Almighty God has spoken. God always does things for a purpose. In Acts Chapter 3 God hasn't said a word yet about shutting down the Temple, that they are no longer under Law, but under a new manifestation of God's Grace. "The Body of Christ" There's not a word in here of Church structure or a word concerning the Gospel based on Christ's death, burial, and Resurrection. Remember Peters confession in Matthew 16.
Matthew 16:13-16
"...Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? John 11:25-27
Philip had explained about Jesus to this fellow.
"Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. Now back to Acts Chapter 3, verse 15. Peter says:
Acts 3:16
"And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong,"
What is Peter neglecting to mention here? Peter is only reminding these Israelites Who Jesus really was. Now verse 17:
Acts 3:17
If someone killed a person the penalty was death. What was Christ pleading? Their ignorance.
I call it "God's loophole" for the Nation of Israel. Because, had they known Who they were killing, God would have had to destroy them. Not only concerning Israel but even Rome, the Gentiles.
Which is a secret that has been revealed to him), even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:" I'm sure that he is speaking of himself.
Ignorance. Otherwise God would have zapped the whole human race - Jew and Gentile alike. So Peter claims that same thing. Ignorance.
Christ had to die, because prophecy had foretold it.
"Whom the heaven must receive until (a time word) the times of restitution (tribulation) of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began."
So Peter is in full agreement with the Old Testament. That yes, Christ had gone back to the Father's right hand. Now if you remember in the closing remarks of the Gospel of John, Jesus indicated that Peter would suffer a very ignominious death. But I'm sure at this point in time Peter has totally forgotten about that. He is totally enraptured with the idea, that if he could just see Israel repent and yet believe Who Jesus was, then their Messiah would return and they could yet have the Kingdom. The Twelve could then take their seat ruling the Twelve Tribes of Israel as Jesus had promised. Matthew 19:27
Matthew 19:28
Oh if Israel would just repent and be converted and recognize that the One they killed was their Messiah.
Then Peter and the eleven knew when that was fulfilled then they could take the Gospel of their God of Abraham to the Gentile world, but not until. Zechariah 8:20-23
Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts (where) in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.'" The `you' here is believing Israel. A redeemed Israel. A regenerated and repentant Israel.

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