Peter offered repentance and forgiveness of sins to the nation of Israel, not to Gentiles.
Acts 5:31 says God exalted Jesus to be "a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins." Les Feldick consistently stresses that Peter's audience is Israel, using distinctly Jewish language like "the God of our fathers" and "all the house of Israel." Peter did not include Gentiles anywhere in this offer.
Acts 5:31 — This verse explicitly states that God gave repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel through Jesus as Prince and Saviour.
The book of Acts records Peter preaching to the nation of Israel in Jerusalem. In Acts 3:13, Peter identifies God as "the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers," showing that his words are directed to Israel. In Acts 5:31, Scripture says, "Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins." Peter's earlier message in Acts 2:36 also narrows the audience: "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." In Acts 2:39 he adds, "For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." The promise is made to Israel. Acts 3:19 calls the same people to "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out."
Les Feldick emphasizes that Peter's offer of repentance and forgiveness is a Jewish message directed exclusively to the nation of Israel. He points out that Peter's wording — "the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers" — is so Jew-only that "not a one" Gentile is included (Clip 2). When Peter commands, "let all the house of Israel know assuredly," Les notes that Peter does not add "and you Gentiles" (Clip 3). Les also explains that "to all that are afar off" in Acts 2:39 refers to dispersed Jews, not Gentiles. He observes that Jews were already scattered from one end of the empire to the other, from the Babylonian captivity and the earlier captivity of the ten tribes, so "afar off" means Jews who would be brought to a knowledge of salvation (Clip 4). At this point in Acts, Les says Peter would not have addressed Gentiles as "brethren" — Peter had no idea that they were to have anything to do with Gentiles (Clip 7). Therefore, the repentance-and-forgiveness offer in Peter's preaching is given to Israel.
Les Feldick asks whether Peter's phrase "the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers" includes Gentiles. His answer is: "Not a one. Not a one. This is so Jew only that you can't escape it." He repeats that "the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers... see how Jewish that is." This language ties Peter's message to Israel's patriarchs and confirms that the audience is the nation of Israel.
Les says no. In Acts 2:39, Peter says, "the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off." Les explains that "some people think that that's a reference to Gentiles," but he cannot see that because Jews were already dispersed throughout the empire at the Babylonian captivity and the earlier captivity of the ten tribes. He concludes that "afar off" refers to Jews scattered abroad who would be brought to a knowledge of salvation, not to Gentiles.
Les notes that Peter repeatedly lays the blame for the crucifixion on the Jewish nation. Peter says to Israel, "you killed the prince of life" (Clip 2), and he points out that they rejected the One God sent to fulfill the Abrahamic covenant (Clip 1). Les adds that he is not being anti-Semitic by saying this; Peter himself is the one who puts the blame on the nation of Israel (Clip 3). The purpose is to bring Israel to repent of rejecting their Messiah.
Why Repentance Was Offered to Israel — Acts 5 Explained
Hello and welcome to Through the Bible with Les Feldick. An Oklahoma rancher and farmer, Les Feldick has been teaching homestyle Bible classes for 20 years in Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas. Les Feldick's unique style of Bible teaching has made the books of the Bible come to life. When Les is teaching, it's so interesting that people say time just seems to fly by. And now, here is Les Feldick.
Peter Blames Israel on Covenant Ground
Peter is dealing with the nation of Israel on covenant ground and points out that they, who should have known better, rejected the One God sent to fulfill the Abrahamic covenant.
So Jew-Only You Can't Escape It
Les shows that Peter's phrase 'the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers' includes no Gentiles, and that Peter calls the same nation the killers of the Prince of Life.
All the House of Israel Only
Peter says 'let all the house of Israel know assuredly' and, Les notes, he does not add 'and you Gentiles' — showing the message is to Israel.
Far Off Means Dispersed Jews
Les explains that 'to all that are afar off' in Acts 2:39 refers to Jews scattered throughout the empire, not to Gentiles.
Peter's Audience Is All Israel
Peter's address is to 'all the house of Israel,' not just Judah, and the convicted listeners respond, 'Men and brethren, what shall we do?'
The God of Our Fathers Is Jewish Language
Les repeatedly emphasizes that 'the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers' is Jewish terminology, tying Peter's message to the covenant promises made to Israel.
Peter Would Not Call Gentiles Brethren
At this point Peter had no idea that the message would go to Gentiles; he would not have addressed Gentiles as 'brethren.'
Acts 5:31: Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
This verse directly states that repentance and forgiveness of sins were given to Israel, answering the question at hand.
Acts 3:13: The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.
Peter's language identifies the God of Israel and shows that he is addressing the Jewish nation.
Acts 2:36: Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
Peter's command is directed specifically to 'all the house of Israel.'
Acts 2:39: For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Les explains that 'afar off' refers to dispersed Jews, not Gentiles.
Acts 3:19: Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
The call to repentance is given to the same Jewish audience Peter has been addressing.
No. Acts 5:31 says God exalted Jesus to be a Prince and a Saviour "for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins." Les Feldick stresses that this offer is directed to the nation of Israel and that Peter never includes Gentiles in this message.
Les points out that by the first century, Jews were already scattered throughout the empire because of the Babylonian captivity and the earlier captivity of the ten tribes. So when Peter says "to all that are afar off," he is referring to dispersed Jews, not Gentiles.
Peter accused Israel of killing their Messiah. Les notes that Peter says to the nation, "you killed the prince of life," and he repeatedly blames the Jewish nation for crucifying Jesus, while dealing with them on covenant ground.
Watch the Teaching: Why Repentance Was Offered to Israel — Acts 5 Explained