Peter's Sermon At Solomon's Portico Series

THE SUBJECT OF PETER’S SERMON

Anytime a true Gospel preacher has an audience, he will preach if given half a chance. When given such a chance, the sermon should always point to Jesus! As Paul said to the Corinthians “I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). After the miraculous healing of the lame man, Peter certainly had an audience, and he shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them. (v11 “Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch, which is called Solomon's, greatly amazed.”)

After the miracle that Jesus performed through Peter, the witnesses of this miracle came running to Solomon’s portico, filled with wonder and amazement. Peter took this opportunity to tell the crowd who Jesus is and what He has done. He also boldly pointed out the fact that they (the Jews) had the opportunity to receive Him, but they rejected Him; even to the point of crucifying Him. However, he went on to explain that they were not without hope, if they would repent and believe in Jesus they could be saved. What Jesus had done for the lame man physically, He would do for them spiritually, if they would believe in Him.

The same is true for many people today, like the Jews they have had ample opportunity to receive Christ as Savior. They have heard the message and they have seen the evidence, yet they have made the decision to reject Him. However, because of God’s mercy and grace, the opportunity for salvation remains. If they will seize the opportunity that is before them, they can be saved and receive a transformation that is even more amazing that what was experienced by the lame man.

Understandably, the people marveled as they looked upon the Apostles of the Lord and the new man that was standing before them. Peter quickly pointed out the fact that this miracle was not performed by his own power; he wanted them to know the source of the power was none other than Jesus Christ. He ascribed all of the glory to Jesus. Verse 12-13 says,

“when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: "Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go.

Peter describes God in a way that was familiar to his Jewish audience. He referred to God as “the God of our fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob.” God is identified this way in numerous scriptures throughout the old and new testaments. (Exodus 3:6 & 15; 1 Kings 18:36; 1 Chronicles 29: 18; 2 Chronicles 30:6; Matthew 22:32). By speaking to them about the God of their fathers, Peter makes it clear that he is referring to the same God and Messiah that had been spoken of by the prophets of old. He was not coming to them with a new message; he was speaking to them about the fulfillment of the covenant promises of their God. The promises were fulfilled by God’s “servant Jesus” whom He had “glorified”.