0997. A Call to National Repentance

A Call to National Repentance

"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out" (Act_3:19)

There is a marked distinction between this call to repent and the one found in Act_2:38, where Peter said, "Repent and be baptized every one of you."

That call was personal, this is national: that was to the individual, this is to the people as a whole. The first repentance was unto the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Ghost; this repentance is unto "the times of refreshing," and unto "the times of the restitution of all things."

In the 3d chapter, following the healing of the lame man, Peter addresses the whole nation. Notice the following expressions:

"Ye men of Israel" (Act_2:12).

"The God of our fathers" (Act_2:13).

"Whom ye delivered * * denied * * killed" (Act_2:13-15).

"Ye did it, as did also your rulers" (Act_2:17).

Peter must have been greatly moved as he pled with the nation to repent. He knew how Israel had denied the Holy One and Just; he knew how Israel had killed the Prince of Life.

Peter could still hear the words ringing in his ears: "Away with Him! Away with Him!" He could see the great throng as they cried, "Let Him be crucified; Release unto us Barabbas." He knew how the people had said: "His blood be upon us and on our children."

Peter had stood in sight of the Cross. He still held engraven upon his vision, the mad mob as they surged about the Cross, wagging their heads and shooting out their lips, and crying out against the Son of God.

Peter knew the prophets, and he felt to his soul, something of the wail of Jeremiah as, in his Lamentations, he depicted the wail of sorrow that lay ahead of a rebellious nation.

Peter had once stood with Christ as He wept over Jerusalem and he had heard His words:

"For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

"And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled" (Luk_21:22, Luk_21:24).

Peter knew how Christ had said: "Behold, your house is left unto you desolate" (Mat_23:39).

Do you marvel, therefore, that Peter cried to Israel: "Repent! Be converted"?

Had not Jonah once prophesied, yet forty days and Nineveh shall be destroyed? Had Nineveh not repented and had the Lord not spared that great city from destruction?

Thus Peter pled with Israel to repent and turn again so that she might be saved from her "hour of trouble," from the drinking of her bitter cup.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR