Acts 3:20 - and that he may send Christ Jesus, who was ordained for you before,
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What does "Acts 3:20" mean?
Acts 3:20 is part of a speech by Peter in the aftermath of healing a lame beggar at the temple. Let's break down the verse and its context to understand its meaning:
Context:
Acts 3:1-10: Peter and John heal a lame man at the temple gate called Beautiful.
Acts 3:11-16: A crowd gathers, amazed. Peter uses the opportunity to preach, explaining that the healing wasn't through their own power but through faith in Jesus.
Acts 3:17-26: This is the core of Peter's sermon. He addresses the crowd, acknowledging their ignorance in crucifying Jesus, but emphasizing that God used this act to fulfill prophecy. He calls them to repent and turn to God.
Verse Breakdown:
"and that he may send Christ Jesus..." This is the central promise. Peter is saying that God will send Jesus. This is not a new sending, but a return of Jesus. This implicitly refers to the Second Coming or the Messianic age. This sending is conditional upon their repentance and turning back to God.
"...who was ordained for you before..." This part is crucial and open to interpretation.
"Ordained": This translates the Greek word prokecheirismenos. It means "foreordained," "appointed beforehand," or "chosen in advance." The emphasis is on God's pre-planning and divine purpose.
"For you": This speaks to the intended recipients of Jesus's ministry and message. It can be interpreted in two main ways:
1. Israel as a Nation: The primary audience is the Jewish people. Jesus was initially sent to the "lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 10:6, 15:24). God's covenant and promises were made with them first. This interpretation aligns with the context of Peter's sermon, which is specifically directed at the Jewish people gathered at the temple.
2. All Believers: While initially directed at Israel, the benefits of Jesus's coming ultimately extend to all who believe. This perspective emphasizes the universality of salvation through Christ.
Meaning and Implications:
The verse conveys several important ideas:
1. God's Sovereignty and Plan: The fact that Jesus was "ordained beforehand" underscores God's pre-determined plan for salvation. It reinforces the idea that Jesus's coming was not accidental or a last-minute response to a problem, but a deliberate act of God, planned from eternity.
2. Hope for the Future: The promise of Jesus's "sending" (return) gives hope for a future fulfillment of God's promises. It points towards the establishment of God's kingdom and the restoration of all things.
3. Call to Repentance: Peter uses this promise as a motivation for repentance. By turning back to God, the people can participate in the fulfillment of God's plan and experience the blessings associated with Jesus's return. The connection between repentance and Jesus' return implies that the full manifestation of God's kingdom is tied to the readiness of his people.
4. God's Love and Provision: The fact that God ordained Jesus "for you" emphasizes his love and care for humanity. He provided the way of salvation through his Son, making it available to all who would believe.
5. Potential Conditional Fulfillment: The implication of the passage is that there may have been a potential condition attached to the timing of Christ's return. If Israel, as a whole, had repented at that time, it is possible that the Messianic age would have begun then. However, due to their continued rejection of Jesus, this did not occur.
In Summary:
Acts 3:20 proclaims that God, in his sovereignty, had pre-ordained Jesus for the benefit of humanity, particularly for the Jewish people. It promises the return of Jesus and links this return to the people's repentance and turning back to God. This verse is a powerful call to action, urging people to embrace God's plan and receive the blessings associated with Jesus's coming.
It's important to note that there are different theological viewpoints regarding the fulfillment of these prophecies and the timing of Jesus's return. However, the core message remains: God has a plan, and we are invited to participate in it through faith in Jesus and a life of repentance.
Acts 3:20 - and that he may send Christ Jesus, who was ordained for you before,
What does "Acts 3:20" mean?
Acts 3:20 is part of a speech by Peter in the aftermath of healing a lame beggar at the temple. Let's break down the verse and its context to understand its meaning:
Context:
Acts 3:1-10: Peter and John heal a lame man at the temple gate called Beautiful.
Acts 3:11-16: A crowd gathers, amazed. Peter uses the opportunity to preach, explaining that the healing wasn't through their own power but through faith in Jesus.
Acts 3:17-26: This is the core of Peter's sermon. He addresses the crowd, acknowledging their ignorance in crucifying Jesus, but emphasizing that God used this act to fulfill prophecy. He calls them to repent and turn to God.
Verse Breakdown:
"and that he may send Christ Jesus..." This is the central promise. Peter is saying that God will send Jesus. This is not a new sending, but a return of Jesus. This implicitly refers to the Second Coming or the Messianic age. This sending is conditional upon their repentance and turning back to God.
"...who was ordained for you before..." This part is crucial and open to interpretation.
"Ordained": This translates the Greek word prokecheirismenos. It means "foreordained," "appointed beforehand," or "chosen in advance." The emphasis is on God's pre-planning and divine purpose.
"For you": This speaks to the intended recipients of Jesus's ministry and message. It can be interpreted in two main ways:
1. Israel as a Nation: The primary audience is the Jewish people. Jesus was initially sent to the "lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 10:6, 15:24). God's covenant and promises were made with them first. This interpretation aligns with the context of Peter's sermon, which is specifically directed at the Jewish people gathered at the temple.
2. All Believers: While initially directed at Israel, the benefits of Jesus's coming ultimately extend to all who believe. This perspective emphasizes the universality of salvation through Christ.
Meaning and Implications:
The verse conveys several important ideas:
1. God's Sovereignty and Plan: The fact that Jesus was "ordained beforehand" underscores God's pre-determined plan for salvation. It reinforces the idea that Jesus's coming was not accidental or a last-minute response to a problem, but a deliberate act of God, planned from eternity.
2. Hope for the Future: The promise of Jesus's "sending" (return) gives hope for a future fulfillment of God's promises. It points towards the establishment of God's kingdom and the restoration of all things.
3. Call to Repentance: Peter uses this promise as a motivation for repentance. By turning back to God, the people can participate in the fulfillment of God's plan and experience the blessings associated with Jesus's return. The connection between repentance and Jesus' return implies that the full manifestation of God's kingdom is tied to the readiness of his people.
4. God's Love and Provision: The fact that God ordained Jesus "for you" emphasizes his love and care for humanity. He provided the way of salvation through his Son, making it available to all who would believe.
5. Potential Conditional Fulfillment: The implication of the passage is that there may have been a potential condition attached to the timing of Christ's return. If Israel, as a whole, had repented at that time, it is possible that the Messianic age would have begun then. However, due to their continued rejection of Jesus, this did not occur.
In Summary:
Acts 3:20 proclaims that God, in his sovereignty, had pre-ordained Jesus for the benefit of humanity, particularly for the Jewish people. It promises the return of Jesus and links this return to the people's repentance and turning back to God. This verse is a powerful call to action, urging people to embrace God's plan and receive the blessings associated with Jesus's coming.
It's important to note that there are different theological viewpoints regarding the fulfillment of these prophecies and the timing of Jesus's return. However, the core message remains: God has a plan, and we are invited to participate in it through faith in Jesus and a life of repentance.