How can I tell whether a Bible passage is addressed to us today?
Ask to whom a passage is addressed. Scripture is for our learning, but not every verse speaks directly to us. For example, Peter's sermon in chapter 3 addresses 'ye men of Israel,' accusing them of rejecting and killing their Messiah—not a modern congregation. Identifying the original audience clarifies whether it applies today.
Les explains that this is intrinsic to Bible study: always ask, 'To whom is this being addressed?' The passage may be for our learning, but it is not speaking to us. He illustrates with Peter's sermon in chapter 3, where Peter says to the men of Israel, 'Why marvel at this?' and charges them: 'Ye denied the Holy One... and killed the Prince of Life.' Then in verse 19 the first word is 'Repent.' Les notes this is still on God's mind: Israel has not yet been forgiven for rejecting and crucifying their Messiah. He also cautions that this teaching should not be used as an excuse for anti-Semitism, since many religions have wrongly accused the Jew as the God-killer for 1900 years.