Peter’s sermon at Solomon’s Portico in Acts 3:11-26 is one of the most significant post-resurrection messages recorded in the New Testament. Delivered in the aftermath of a miraculous healing, this sermon was directed at Israel, urging them to repent and accept Jesus as their Messiah. Peter’s message was more than just a plea for personal salvation—it carried profound eschatological implications, linking Israel’s national repentance to the coming “times of refreshing,” a clear reference to the future Millennial Kingdom.
This sermon was a continuation of God’s offer to Israel, extending an opportunity for them to embrace their Messiah and usher in the promised era of restoration and peace. However, Israel’s response would determine the course of prophetic fulfillment. By examining the setting, breaking down Peter’s sermon, and exploring its dispensational significance, we can see how Israel’s response to Jesus played a crucial role in God’s unfolding plan.
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The Setting: A Miraculous Healing at the Temple
The backdrop for Peter’s sermon was a remarkable miracle that had taken place just moments before. One afternoon, as Peter and John were heading to the temple for prayer, they encountered a lame beggar at the Beautiful Gate:
“Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts.” (Acts 3:2)
The beggar expected money, but Peter offered him something far greater:
“Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” (Acts 3:6)
Immediately, the man was healed. Overcome with joy, he entered the temple “walking and jumping, and praising God” (Acts 3:8). The dramatic nature of the miracle caught the attention of the crowd, who gathered in amazement. Seeing their reaction, Peter seized the opportunity to preach, directing their attention away from the miracle itself and toward its true significance—the power and authority of Jesus Christ.
Confronting Israel with Their Rejection of Jesus
As the astonished crowd gathered at Solomon’s Portico, a covered walkway in the temple complex, Peter addressed them with a direct and convicting message. He immediately corrected their assumption that he or John had performed the miracle by their own power:
“Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?” (Acts 3:12)
Rather than taking credit, Peter pointed them to Jesus, whom he identified using significant Old Testament titles. He called Jesus the Servant of God (Acts 3:13, Isaiah 52:13), the Holy and Righteous One (Acts 3:14), and the Author of Life (Acts 3:15). Each of these titles carried theological weight, emphasizing Jesus’ divine role in God’s redemptive plan.
Peter did not soften his words. He directly confronted them with their guilt:
“You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go.” (Acts 3:13)
Despite their guilt, Peter extended grace by explaining that their actions had ultimately fulfilled God’s sovereign plan:
“But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer.” (Acts 3:18)
By making this statement, Peter was both convicting and comforting his audience. He showed them their sin but also assured them that God’s plan was still in motion.
The Call for National Repentance and the Coming Kingdom
Peter’s next words are among the most theologically significant statements in Acts, as they connect Israel’s repentance to the future restoration of all things. He declared:
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.” (Acts 3:19-20)
This passage is a key verse in dispensational theology because it highlights several crucial points. First, it suggests that Israel’s national repentance is a prerequisite for Christ’s return. The phrase “times of refreshing” refers to the coming Millennial Kingdom, when Jesus will reign over a restored Israel. Until that time, Jesus remains in heaven:
“Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.” (Acts 3:21)
Peter’s message here is distinct from Paul’s later teaching about salvation by grace through faith for all nations. Peter was still addressing Israel as a corporate entity, making it clear that their collective response would shape the timing of prophetic fulfillment.
Jesus as the Prophet Like Moses
To further reinforce his argument, Peter quoted Deuteronomy 18:15, where Moses had prophesied about a coming prophet:
“For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you.’” (Acts 3:22)
This was a direct assertion that Jesus was the fulfillment of that prophecy. Just as rejecting Moses had dire consequences, rejecting Jesus would bring severe judgment:
“Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.” (Acts 3:23)
Peter emphasized that Israel still had a privileged position in God’s plan:
“Indeed, beginning with Samuel, all the prophets who have spoken have foretold these days.” (Acts 3:24)
Despite their rejection of Jesus, they were still the heirs of God’s covenant with Abraham (Acts 3:25). Peter’s call to repentance was not merely about individual salvation but an offer of national restoration if they would turn back to God.
The Dispensational Significance of Peter’s Sermon
Peter’s sermon at Solomon’s Portico was not just an offer of personal salvation but a direct appeal to Israel as a nation. If they had collectively repented and acknowledged Jesus as their Messiah, the Kingdom could have been restored at that time. However, their continued rejection resulted in a postponement of the Kingdom, leading to the unfolding of the Church Age.
This sermon also reaffirms God’s faithfulness to His promises. Although Israel rejected Jesus at that time, prophecy assures that one day they will recognize Him:
“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child.” (Zechariah 12:10)
The “times of refreshing” will ultimately come when Christ returns to establish His Kingdom. Until then, the message of salvation remains open to both Jews and Gentiles who place their faith in Him.
Conclusion: A Message for Israel and the Nations
Peter’s sermon at Solomon’s Portico was a powerful call to repentance, grounded in Old Testament prophecy and linked directly to God’s future plan for Israel. While Israel, as a nation, rejected Jesus at that time, individual Jews believed, and the Gospel continued to spread.
For believers today, Peter’s sermon serves as a reminder that God’s promises are sure. His plan for Israel and the nations will unfold exactly as He foretold. The call to repentance remains urgent, as individuals are still invited to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.
One day, when Christ returns, the “times of refreshing” will come, and He will reign as King over all the earth, bringing the fulfillment of all the prophetic promises made to Israel. The world will finally experience true righteousness, justice, and peace under Christ’s perfect rule, with Israel at the center of God’s kingdom program. Until that time, believers are called to proclaim the Gospel, inviting all—both Jew and Gentile—to come to faith in Christ.
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
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