0338. A Call to Repentance

A Call to Repentance

"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord" (Act_3:19).

1. There is a distinction between the call to repentance here, and the call in Act_2:37, Act_2:38.

In the sermon at Pentecost the appeal is to the individuals: "Repent and be baptized every one of you." The call was to a repentance unto the remission of sins. In this case, however, Peter has been speaking of Israel’s national guilt; now he is pleading with the rulers and the leaders of the people that they should repent as a race, nationally.

2. It was a call to repentance, in view of the fact that Christ had died and had been raised from the dead.

Peter pressed a mighty argument.

They had taken the Lord and they had slain Him, but Christ had opened unto them a fountain for cleansing.

They had killed the Holy One and Just, but God had raised Him up and established every claim that Christ had ever made.

They had crucified the Lord with cruel hands, but God, in mercy, was now extending His hands to them. Peter pressed the healing of the lame man as a proof of all this, and as an argument to lead them to repentance. What faith in Christ had done for the lame man, individually, faith in Christ would do for Israel nationally.

3. The call to repentance included the promise: "Your sins may be blotted out." How gracious are these words! Mercy is offered to the race who cried, "Away with Him, let Him be crucified." The very people who had chosen Barabbas, have now the opportunity to choose Christ. The leaders who had wagged their heads against Him, are asked to open their hearts to Him. There is much encouragement here for the individual sinner. If such a plea is made to a nation, certainly each individual sinner may find mercy.

4. The call of repentance was urged, in order that "the times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord." Peter understood what the Prophets had to say about Israel’s restoration. He knew her restoration would follow her national conversion. Peter knew that the earth was yet to be blessed through Israel’s ministration. Therefore he called for Israel to repent in order that the day of refreshing might quickly come.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR