Les Feldick Bible Study

Who is Peter addressing in Acts 3?

Peter is addressing the nation of Israel, not the Gentiles. Shortly after Pentecost, he speaks to Israel on covenant ground, pleading that the one they killed was their promised king, whom God raised and called back to glory, and who remains ready to return as their king if they believe.

Les explains that Peter, still shortly after Pentecost, is addressing the nation of Israel. By watching the language, Peter is still on covenant ground—the Abrahamic covenant, which Les calls the bedrock of God's redemptive work. God had promised Abraham a nation, land, and a king and kingdom, and Israel could be the evangelization of the nations. Though Israel rejected and crucified their king, God had not given up on them. Peter pleads with Israel: the one they killed was the one they should have accepted, but God raised him, called him back to glory, and is ready to send him back as their king if they believe.