Yes, Peter calls the nation of Israel to repent of the sin of rejecting and crucifying their Messiah, Jesus Christ.
In the early chapters of Acts, Peter directly addresses the nation of Israel, charging them with the death of Jesus. He tells them to repent of this terrible sin—having rejected, killed, and crucified their Messiah. This repentance was a prerequisite for God to offer them the Kingdom, as He had promised.
Acts 2:36 — Peter explicitly tells all the house of Israel that they crucified Jesus and that God made Him Lord and Christ.
Acts 3:15 — Peter accuses Israel of killing the Prince of Life, whom God raised from the dead.
In Acts 2:22-23, Peter addresses the men of Israel, telling them that Jesus of Nazareth was delivered up and killed by the hands of lawless men. He charges them directly: "Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain." In Acts 2:36, he declares, "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 3:13-15, Peter reinforces this accusation: "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. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses." The call to repentance is explicit in Acts 2:38: "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Also, in Acts 3:19, Peter says, "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out."
Les Feldick emphasizes that Peter's message in the early chapters of Acts is directed solely to the nation of Israel, not to Gentiles. Peter lays the blame for the crucifixion on the Jewish nation, accusing them of rejecting and murdering their Messiah. This was a national sin that required national repentance. Les explains that God, in His grace, still offered Israel the opportunity to repent of this horrible sin and receive the King and the Kingdom. However, if the nation had repented, God would have immediately instituted the tribulation, as prophesied. Les is careful to clarify that his teaching is not anti-Semitic, but simply what Scripture records. Les also notes that the call to "repent and be baptized" was tied to Israel's responsibility for crucifying their Messiah, and this message was not for Gentiles.
Peter directly accused the nation of Israel of rejecting and crucifying their Messiah, Jesus. He said, "you killed the Prince of Life" and "whom you crucified." He also pointed out that they denied Him before Pilate and chose a murderer (Barabbas) instead.
Les emphasizes that Peter addressed "the whole house of Israel" and did not mention Gentiles. The call to repent and be baptized in Acts 2 was for the nation of Israel only, not for Gentiles. This message was on covenant ground with Israel.
Les teaches that if the nation of Israel had repented of their sin of rejecting the Messiah, God would have immediately instituted the tribulation, as it was prophesied. This was still a possibility in the early chapters of Acts.
Israel's Opportunity to Repent
Les explains that despite Israel's rejection and crucifixion of their Messiah, God still offered them the opportunity to repent of that horrible sin and receive the King and Kingdom.
Peter Lays Blame on Israel
Les notes that Peter repeatedly lays the blame for the crucifixion on the Jewish nation, but also clarifies that the whole human race is guilty.
Repent of Rejecting the Messiah
Les directly answers what Israel should repent of: they rejected, killed, and crucified their Messiah. This sin had not yet been forgiven.
Peter Addresses All Israel
Les highlights that Peter's accusation is pointed at the nation of Israel, saying 'let all the house of Israel know' that they crucified Jesus, who is now Lord and Christ.
The Call to Repent and Be Baptized
Les connects Peter's call for Israel to repent and be baptized to their guilt for crucifying their Messiah.
Israel Killed the Prince of Life
Les walks through Peter's accusation in Acts 3, where he tells Israel they denied the Holy One and killed the Prince of Life.
Repentance Tied to Acts 2:36
Les emphasizes that the command to repent and be baptized in Acts 2:38 is directly tied to the accusation in verse 36 that they crucified Jesus.
Repentance and the Tribulation
Les mentions that if Israel repented of their national sin, God would have immediately instituted the tribulation, as prophesied.
Acts 2:23: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
Peter directly accuses the men of Israel of crucifying Jesus.
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.
This verse pinpoints Israel's responsibility for the crucifixion.
Acts 2:38: Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
This is the direct command to repent of the sin of crucifying Christ.
Acts 3:14: But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;
Peter reminds Israel of their rejection of Jesus and choice of Barabbas.
Acts 3:15: And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
Peter accuses Israel of killing the Prince of Life.
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;
Peter calls for repentance, which is the key act required.
Peter told the nation of Israel to repent of their sin of rejecting and crucifying their Messiah, Jesus Christ. He explicitly accused them of killing the Prince of Life and charged them to repent and be baptized.
No, Peter's message was directed specifically to the nation of Israel. He addressed 'the whole house of Israel' and did not mention Gentiles. The call to repent and be baptized was for Israel because of their national sin.
Israel was God's chosen people who had the Scriptures and the promises. They rejected the very Messiah God had sent to fulfill the Abrahamic covenant. This was a national sin that required national repentance.
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