Jesus stands

Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:54-60, ESV)

Stephen dies in the same way that he lived - full of the Holy Spirit. He sees a vision of the glory of God with Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Jesus normally sits at the right hand of God, his work is completed, he sits down at the throne, his sitting is significant. So it is also significant that he stands up as Stephen is about to die. Jesus was not absent when Stephen was stoned, this was not outside Jesus power or concern. Stephen was about to go to Jesus, and Jesus stands. 

Why "standing," and not sitting, the posture in which the glorified Saviour is elsewhere represented? Clearly, to express the eager interest with which He watched from the skies the scene in that council chamber, and the full tide of His Spirit which He was at that moment engaged in pouring into the heart of His heroical witness, till it beamed in radiance from his very countenance.  

Jamieson, Faussett and Brown 

He is usually said to sit there; but Stephen sees him standing there, as one more than ordinarily concerned at present for his suffering servant; he stood up as a judge to plead his cause against his persecutors; he is raised up out of his holy habitation (Zec. 2:13), comes out of his place to punish, Isa. 26:21. He stands ready to receive him and crown him, and in the mean time to give him a prospect of the joy set before him. [3.] This was intended for the encouragement of Stephen. He sees Christ is for him, and then no matter who is against him.

Matthew Henry 

As if it were just ready to receive him. Otherwise he is said to sit at the right hand of God.

Wesley

He has stood to receive Stephen’s testimony and to be his advocate. He has stood that he might come forward to be the judge of those who will trample upon God’s prophet. Jesus is rising from his throne to come to Stephen’s defense and to judge his persecutors.

Kevin Deyoung 

stiff necked

“You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.” (Acts 7:51-53, ESV)

Stephen has been accused of blasphemy. He gives a long speech recounting Israel's history before concluding with this attack on the religious leaders. Using insults straight from the pages of the OT he calls them stiff-necked, uncircumcised in heart and resistant to the HS. He likens them to the repeated instances of God's people rebelling against him throughout their history. God's plan throughout history culminates in Jesus and they killed him. He is not the one guilty of blasphemy on this occasion, he is not the one guilty of setting himself up against God - they are. 

unfair opposition

And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.” And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel. (Acts 6:8-15, ESV)

Stephen is one of the seven people chosen for the practical task of the distribution of resources to widows. That doesn't mean that was all he did. He did it, and probably did it well but he was also telling people about Jesus. He is the first person other than the apostles said to be doing signs and wonders. He is full of grace and power - because of the Holy Spirit.

Stephen was obviously a respected and trustworthy man, a faithful believer in Jesus, someone full of the spirit, someone witnessing for Jesus - but that doesn't stop people sinning against him. We should not be surprised when some people attack us and speak falsely about us. We are told that they could not withstand the wisdom and Spirit with which he was speaking - they couldn't prove him wrong, but that didn't stop them stirring up lies about him and twisting his words. His face looked like the face of an angel, but that didn't stop his shotgun trial and eventual death. We should be ready for the fact that, no matter what we do, some people will oppose us and tell lies about us. We should pray that God helps us to respond like Stephen is about to  - with a gracious and clear explanation of the gospel 

practical leadership

Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. (Acts 6:1-7, ESV)

This is a classic church problem - organisation and adminstration of neccessary practical situations threatens to dominate and distract from the focus of the gospel. The twelve strike the right balance here - they recognise that caring for widows is important and needs to be done, and organised effectively. But they refuse to let that, or anything, detract from the mission of the church - spreading the good news about Jesus. 

Sensibly, this tasks is delegated to other leaders. Interestingly the criteria for choosing these leaders is primarily spiritual. They are not chosen on whether they are skilled enough for the job (although they would certainly need that), but the primary consideration is that they are men of good repute (they are living the christian life), full of the Spirit and wisdom and full of faith. The first thing to look at for any potential leader is whether they are Christian! Even if their "task" does not seem spiritual, the most important thing is their own relationship with Jesus.

stop teaching?

Acts 5:17-42

But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy 18 they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” 21 And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.

Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council, all the senate of the people of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, 23 “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.” 24 Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to. 25 And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” 26 Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.

27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

33 When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 36 For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38 So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, 40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.

The problem that the high priest and Saducees have with the early church is theological, but the reason for their severe reaction and desperation to stop this message is jealousy. The gospel was transforming people, it was causing a stir. The religious leaders were no longer in control and they wanted that back.

The miracle of the release from prison is to show that nothing can stop the gosepl spreading. It is not primarily for the apostles benefit, but to show the leaders and the people that God's message can not be locked up - he can simply open the doors back up again. The apostles understood this as they went straight back to preaching, not into hiding. 

Peter's short speech contains many familiar ideas from his previous sermons - they will obey God rather than man. Jesus is the promised Messiah. They were responsible for Jesus' death. God has raised Him from the dead. Jesus is in control. They should repent. Jesus died for the forgiveness of sins. The disciples are witnesses, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Gamaliel says that they should leave the men alone - if their message is man made, it will soon fade from peole's attention. If it is from God, they can't stop it anyway. History has proved him right. Nothing and noone can stop it.

The apostles were beaten and told no to teach about Jesus. So what did they do? They rejoiced that their suffering was in the name of Jesus and did not cease to teach and preach in Jesus name! One thing mattered to them - the good news about who Jesus is and what he has done. If their suffering draws attention to that, then praise God. And whether they were suffering or not, their life mission was to spread that news.

no nominal Christians

Acts 5:12-16

Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico. 13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. 14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

The Holy Spirit is doing a lot of extraordinary work here, stuff that seems crazy to us. The fact that people were healed by Peter's shadow falling on them shows that it wasn't Peter himself healing people. God can do whatever he wants, he can heal people however he wants. 

There was a strange combination of  fear of joining the church (presumably due to events like Ananias and Sapphira's death) but also an esteem that the people had for the Christians. The people seemed to like the Christians but recognised that it wasn't a group that you could just loosely associate yourself with. There were certainly no nominal Christians warming the pews in Solomon's porch!

instant judgement

Acts 5:1-11 
But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.

After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

At the end of chapter 4 we hear about a community that shared possessions and met each others needs. It is clear that that happens as a result of the gospel, not as some enforced or even voluntary effort to create a community. It happened because they loved the person in need and recognized everything they had as a gift.

The problem with Ananias and Sapphira is not that they kept part of the money for themselves, as Peter makes it clear that the entire property was theirs to do whatever they wanted with it. The problem is that they were trying to pass it off as the full amount. They were trying to give the impression of generousity. They lied in order to protect or cultivate a reputation.

God judges them and they die. While this seems harsh, that is just due to the instant nature of it. We know that the result of sin is death, it is God's grace to us that this sort of instant judgement on our sin is unusual, but it is no less than they, or us deserved. It happened to that couple straight away, it could happen in 50 years time but it will happen unless we repent and trust in Jesus, who died that death in our place.

there's a branch coming

Isaiah 4

And seven women shall take hold of one man in that day, saying, “We will eat our own bread and wear our own clothes, only let us be called by your name; take away our reproach.”

In that day the branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land shall be the pride and honor of the survivors of Israel. And he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy, everyone who has been recorded for life in Jerusalem, when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and cleansed the bloodstains of Jerusalem from its midst by a spirit of judgment and by a spirit of burning. Then the Lord will create over the whole site of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud by day, and smoke and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory there will be a canopy. There will be a booth for shade by day from the heat, and for a refuge and a shelter from the storm and rain. 

The first verse of chapter 4 continues the thought of chapter 3. God is going to confront the people with their own shame, he will cut off his support and supply. The people will be scattered and directionless, here with women desperate to associate with a man to get rid of their shame.

These descriptions are bleak, but all is not lost. God's not cutting them off forever, he's sending someone - the branch of the Lord who is beautiful, glorious and fruitful in sharp contrast to the ugly, shameful, fruitless people (us!) described in the previous chapter. Their beauty has been shown up for the ugliness that lies underneath, but he is beautiful. Their pride and impressive outward appearance has been shamed and humbled but he is glorious. Their land is dry and barren since God has withdrawn his provision, but He will be fruitful.

he will wash away the filth, he will cleanse the bloodstains. This can only happen if justice is done. A justice that we now know was gloriously done on the cross. He will become their shelter and protector again. Their only hope is God. But what a place to put your hope!

forming community

Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet. (Acts 4:32-37, ESV)

These verses describe what a community transformed by the gospel looks like. They are united. They love each other to the degree that they are willing to sacrificially give to others in need. And they were spreading the message of Jesus' resurrection. This describes a type of church that we would all no doubt love to be a part of. But we can't afford to miss what has caused this.Jesus didn't tell them to set up this sort of community and then they went away and tried really hard to create it. This community was created becasue of the gospel - the good news about Jesus' life, death and resurrection. Jesus' followers weren't like this before the cross, the empty tomb and the holy spirit. If we are concentrating on forming this type of community, it will be incredibaly hard work probably doomed to failure. If we concentrate on Jesus, this sort of community follows.

boldness in the face of opposition

When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit,“‘Why did the Gentiles rage,

and the peoples plot in vain?The kings of the earth set themselves,

and the rulers were gathered together,against the Lord and against his Anointed’—for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:23-31, ESV)

After Peter and John have been told to stop spreading the message about Jesus, they go back to the other disicples and report what has happened. Their response is to pray. Their prayer recognises God's sovereignty and the futility of men setting themselves up against that sovereign God - they quote from psalm 2 about people plotting against God in vain and psalm 2 goes on to speak about God laughing at those plans.  

They also pray about the ongoing mission - they aren't praying against their opponents and they are not praying explicitly about their own safety, they are praying that God would give them the boldness to continue spreading the gospel. They know that this will only happen through the power of the Holy Spirit 

When we face opposition, we can tend to take it to heart. It devastates us. Everything seems doomed. And the opposition we face is often nothing more than the potential that people might think we are a bit weird, it's not in the league of the disciples experience. We have a lot to learn from this passage. People set themselves up against God but it is futile because God is sovereign. And because God is in control, I don't need to panic or be anxious - his plan will not be thwarted by this opposition. I don't then need to just suck it up and act like I'm not bothered, I need to pray that God will give me boldness, recognising my own lack of courage and depending on the power of the Holy Spirit to enable me to participate in God's mission.

shut it down

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old. (Acts 4:13-22, ESV)

The HS had given them boldness to speak about Jesus in the face of opposition and that was noticeable to the authorities. There was nothing special about Peter and John, the difference was that they had been with Jesus.

The authorities recognised that they could not deny the miracle, but they were desperate to shut down the message. "Sadly, the leaders were motivated by fear of losing power and influence rather than by a desire to glorify God, to be faithful to his Word, or to spread the true knowledge of salvation." ESV study bible

The disciple's boldness continued - they recognised that their was a limit to their obedience to human authorities, and that limit was reached when their instructions conflicted with God's.

same message

On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:5-12, ESV)

Being filled with the Spirit does not only result in spectacular, dramatic events like the multiple languages of Pentecost. Here, Peter is described as being filled with the Spirit as he answers the ruling authorities. The Spirit gave him the courage to speak about Jesus. 

There could be no doubt about the message from the early church - it is all about Jesus. Peter makes it clear again that:

• the crippled man was healed in Jesus name
• they crucified Jesus
• God raised Jesus from the dead
• OT prophesy is about Jesus
• Salvation is found only in Jesus

 Peter, and the early church, were thoroughly Christ centered.  

cutting off your supply

Isaiah 1 tells us about God's hatred for the empty religion of the people. In chapter 2 we read about how the presence of God will shatter idolatry and bring pride down. Chapter 3 starts to explain how this is going to happen. How can the heart of the people be moved inside the religious shell? How will the people understand the emptiness of idols and the majesty of God? The answer is not pretty. 

God is going to remove his support and supply from his people. Food, protection, civil and religious leadership. God is going to let them suffer.

Why is He doing this? Because their speech and their deeds are against the Lord, defying his glorious presence (v8). They proclaim their sin, they are proud of it. They have oppressed others. They will be given what they deserve.

The people look impressive and are proud of that appearance, but God is going to remove the mask and show up their utter shame. Very strong language is used - the daughters of Zion who are currently "mincing" around will have their "secret parts laid bare". There will be rottenness instead of perfume, baldness instead of hair.

This is God's grace. Without this, they will continue as they are, without him. God is going to confront them with their natural state without Him - they need to see what that is really like in order that they can return to him. Having their whole world turned upside down is worth it if it results in a cry of desperation to God. God is too committed to their good to leave them in their sin.

response

And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. (Acts 4:1-4, ESV)

Peter preaches very similar sermons in chapters 2 and 3. In both cases, a lot of people believe but we also see the other response that the gospel can have after this second sermon. We should expect both negative and positive reactions to the good news about Jesus. His own words divided opinion and it was no different for the early church. Often we either expect only negative reactions and so are reluctant to even share the gospel. Or we only want to do it when we think there will be a positive reaction. Our mission is to share it. The reaction is out of our hands.

some stuff about Jesus

While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon's. 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? 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. But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 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.

“And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 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. 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. And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. 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.’ God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.” (Acts 3:11-26, ESV)

Peter uses the occasion of the healing to preach another sermon about Jesus:

• not new, but the fulfilment of the OT - god of abraham, isaac and jacob. he is THE prophet who was prophesied about. He is the one Samuel and every after (or before) him spoke about. The fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham
• personal responsibility for his death - you delivered him, you denied the holy and righteous one, you asked for a murderer, you killed the author of life
• a pardoxical statement that sums up what we do in our sin - we kill the author of life. We want to cut ourselves off from the one who created and sustains us, which will obviously inevitably lead to our death. but we stubbornly assume we can find life somewhere other than it's author.
• resurrection - as it turns out, you can't kill the author of life! He is alive.
• witnesses - not claiming he is alive in my heart or anything like that, they are eyewitnesses to his resurrection
• his name - the healing has taken place due to faith in Jesus name
• ignorance - we need to recognise our ignorance
• Jesus' death was the fulfilment of God's prophesied plan. People acted sinfully but God knew what he was doing
• repentance - that is the response to hearing the news of the gospel
• results - sins blotted out, times of refreshing (Spirit), restoring all the things God has spoken about
• God intends to bless us by turning us from our wickedness

where is the focus?

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon's. 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? 

Acts 3:1-11 ESV

This healing was dramatic, it caused a stir, it caused crowds to gather around Peter and John  in the temple but, even with all the drama, the healing itself was not the focus. The man was healed in the name of Jesus and Peter used the opportunity of the crowds gathering  to point to that name again. He didn't tell the people - yes God (or even Jesus) can heal and he can do it again, bring out all the sick - even though that is true. The focus of attention is the healer not the healing, the healing is just the context and catalyst for people to hear about Jesus

cut to the heart

Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:37-41, ESV)

The people who heard Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost were "cut to the heart" and respond. This is a work of the Holy Spirit because, a couple of chapters later, after a very similar sermon, the hearers respond in anger. Peter's job is to "bear witness" to Jesus, the Holy Spirit does the work on the heart. We cannot make people respond, we cannot convict people of sin, we cannot transform hearts, we cannot produce faith. Thankfully, there is someone who can!

their response involved:

• repentance - they had to acknowledge their guilt before God
• baptism - a public recognition of a spiritual reality
• the name of Jesus - this was no re commitment to Judaism or a slight tweak to their existing beliefs, it was about one person only - Jesus
• forgiveness - they (like me and you) were responsible for the death of Jesus. They are sinners. We are sinners. But forgiveness exists. It is possible through Jesus
• Holy Spirit - it's not just forgiveness and then back to square one. It's the gift of the Holy Spirit transforming us into his likeness
• others - this wasn't just for them but for their children and those who were far off. God doesn't save a certain "type" of person. no one is beyond God's power to save.

isaiah 2

Isaiah 2

When God shows up in the Bible, people are generally terrified and fall on the floor, afraid for their lives. Isaiah reminds the people 9and us) that there is going to be a day when that happens to all of us. He tells us three times that we will be on our faces when God shows up in his glory (v10,19,21). Everything that we trust in, every idol that we cling on to will be shown up for what it really is. For the nations at that time that was things like the cedars of lebanon and the ships of tarshish that brought wealth and power. Or the towers and fortified walls that made them fell safe and secure. For us it's the security of the well-paid job. Or the status of the area we live in. On that day, Isaiah tells us, everything that seems big, important and powerful now will be brought low. Only God will be exalted on that day.

When faced with God, people will cast away their idols (v20). So what is the solution to our idolatry? Look at God, not man

Stop trusting in mere humans,
    who have but a breath in their nostrils.
    Why hold them in esteem?
Isaiah 2:22