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The Good News Authenticated and the Resurrection Anticipated Acts 3, Pastor Chris Brauns, 10/25/2020

18 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, , 21 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. Acts 3:18-21

Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to those in Damascus, then in and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. :19-20

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Repentance may be defined as the conscious turning of the regenerate person away from sin and toward God in a complete change of living, which reveals itself in a new way of thinking, feeling, and willing. Anthony Hoekema1

The faith that is unto salvation is a penitent faith and the repentance that is unto life is a believing repentance . . . Saving faith is permeated with repentance and repentance is permeated with faith. John Murray2

[The implications of Murray’s statement on faith and repentance being inextricably related] are shattering for some of our present church contexts. For if it is true that churches have been preaching faith without repentance, then the question must arise whether saving faith has been taught or called for at all. For Murray’s point is that a ‘faith’ that is not a repentant faith is not biblical faith. Michael Ovey3

1 Anthony A. Hoekema, Saved by Grace (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1994), 127. 2 John Murray, Redemption Accomplished and Applied (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1955), 113. 3 Michael J. Ovey, The Feasts of Repentance: From Luke-Acts To Systematic and Pastoral Theology (Downers Grove: IVP, 2019), 116. 2

Miracles in Parallel: How Miracles Demonstrate Peter and Paul’s Continuity With Christ

. . . Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with might works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst . . .:22b how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. Hebrews 2:3- 4

Jesus - Luke 5:17-26 Peter - Acts 3:1-11 Paul - :8-18 17 On one of those days, as he was teaching, 3 Now Peter and John were going up to the 8 Now at there was a man sitting who could Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and there, who had come from every village of 2 And a man lame from birth was being had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul speaking. Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that power of the Lord was with him to heal. 18 And the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to he had faith to be made well, 10 said in a loud behold, some men were bringing on a bed a ask alms of those entering the temple. voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the up and began walking. 11 And when the crowds to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, 19 but temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their finding no way to bring him in, because of the directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come crowd, they went up on the roof and let him “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 down with his bed through the tiles into the them, expecting to receive something from they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he midst before Jesus. 20 And when he saw their them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and was the chief speaker. 13 And the priest of Zeus, faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the whose temple was at the entrance to the city, 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up brought oxen and garlands to the gates and question, saying, “Who is this who speaks and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. 14 But blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God hand and raised him up, and immediately his when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, alone?” 22 When Jesus perceived their thoughts, feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And they tore their garments and rushed out into the he answered them, “Why do you question in leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and crowd, crying out, 15 “Men, why are you doing your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your entered the temple with them, walking and these things? We also are men, of like nature sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people with you, and we bring you good news, that 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man saw him walking and praising God, 10 and you should turn from these vain things to a has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said recognized him as the one who sat at the living God, who made the heaven and the earth to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. and the sea and all that is in them. 16 In past rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 25 And And they were filled with wonder and generations he allowed all the nations to walk in immediately he rose up before them and picked amazement at what had happened to him. their own ways. 17 Yet he did not leave himself up what he had been lying on and went home, 11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the without witness, for he did good by giving you glorifying God. 26 And amazement seized them people, utterly astounded, ran together to rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying all, and they glorified God and were filled with them in the portico called ’s. your hearts with food and gladness.” 18 Even with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary these words they scarcely restrained the people things today.” from offering sacrifice to them.