Peter does not mention Gentiles because his message is directed exclusively to the nation of Israel, not to Gentiles.
Peter's speech in Acts 2 and 3 is addressed only to 'ye men of Israel,' and he remains on the ground of Old Testament covenants. He has no intention of including Gentiles because, at that time, God was still dealing with Israel alone. Les Feldick emphasizes this by noting that the text never says 'and all you Gentiles.'
Acts 2:22 — Peter specifically says 'Ye men of Israel,' showing his audience is Jewish only.
In Acts 2:22, Peter begins his address with 'Ye men of Israel,' and throughout Acts 2 and 3, he continues to address the nation of Israel. For example, in Acts 2:36 he says, 'Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly,' and in Acts 3:12 he speaks to the people after healing the lame man, calling them 'Ye men of Israel.' The Bible never records Peter addressing Gentiles in these passages, and the message is consistently focused on Israel's responsibility for crucifying Jesus and the need for their repentance.
Les Feldick explains that Peter's message is solely for the nation of Israel, as he is still on covenant ground with the Abrahamic and Old Testament covenants. Les emphasizes that the text does not include 'and you Gentiles,' and anyone who tries to force that in is adding to Scripture. He notes that Peter's references to the 'God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob' are meaningful only to Jews, not to pagans. He also points out that Peter accuses Israel of killing their Messiah, a message that would not apply to Gentiles. Les concludes that God had not yet instructed the apostles to go to the Gentiles, so Peter simply addresses Israel.
Peter addresses only the nation of Israel because, at that time in Acts, God was still dealing with His covenant people. Les Feldick says that Peter remains on the same ground as before the crucifixion—the Abrahamic covenant and other Old Testament covenants (Clip 0). He also notes that Peter would not address Gentiles as 'brethren' at this point, as they had no idea they were to have anything to do with Gentiles (Clip 1).
Peter refers to 'the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob' in Acts 3:13, which is a distinctly Jewish reference that excludes Gentiles. Les Feldick explains that the pagan world put no emphasis on this ancestry, but for Jews it meant everything (Clip 2). He also notes that this phrase does not include 'not a one' Gentile (Clip 4).
Peter's message focuses on Israel's rejection and crucifixion of the Messiah, calling the nation to repent for that specific national sin. Les Feldick contrasts this with the later gospel to Gentiles, which emphasizes that God loved the world and Christ died for our sins. In Acts 3, Peter tells the Jews, 'You killed the Prince of life,' which is different from the message Paul later preaches to Gentiles (Clip 4).
Peter Addresses Only Israel
Les Feldick stresses that in Acts 2:22, Peter says 'Ye men of Israel,' and the text does not include Gentiles, showing that Peter is addressing only the nation of Israel on covenant ground.
Peter Would Not Call Gentiles Brethren
Les concludes that Peter would never address Gentiles as 'brethren' at this point, because he had no idea that Gentiles were to be included.
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
Les highlights that Peter's reference to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is distinctly Jewish, and that the phrase 'and all you Gentiles' is not in the text.
All the House of Israel
Les notes that Peter's 'let all the house of Israel' refers to Jews, not Gentiles, and that he is still on covenant ground.
You Killed the Prince of Life
Les points out that Peter accuses the Jews of killing their Messiah, a charge that does not apply to Gentiles and is not part of Paul's later gospel.
Let All the House of Israel Know
Les emphasizes that Peter again says 'all the house of Israel' and does not add 'and you Gentiles,' confirming the Jewish-only audience.
What Must I Do to Be Saved? Acts 2 vs. Acts 16 Explained
Now, granted, there may have been more from the tribe of Judah than from Ephraim and some of those, but they're all there. And Peter makes it so inclusive with this same address, "...let all the house of Israel..." See, not just Judah, all Israel. "...know assuredly that God hath made that same Jesus...
Jew Only, Jew Only
Les states that Peter's message is 'Jew only' because God had not yet given instructions to go to the Gentiles, and He was still dealing with His covenant people.
Acts 2:22: Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
Peter directly addresses 'Ye men of Israel,' setting the Jewish-only audience for his message.
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 addresses 'all the house of Israel,' again excluding Gentiles from his audience.
Acts 3:12: And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?
Peter's address to 'Ye men of Israel' after healing the lame man reinforces his Jewish-only audience.
No. Peter's speeches in Acts 2 and 3 are directed exclusively to the nation of Israel, using phrases like 'Ye men of Israel' and 'all the house of Israel.' Les Feldick emphasizes that the text never includes Gentiles.
Peter uses this phrase to connect his message to the Jewish patriarchs, which resonates only with a Jewish audience. Les Feldick notes that pagans would not care about this ancestry, but for Jews it was everything.
Yes. Les Feldick explains that Peter's message is preached on the ground of the Abrahamic covenant and other Old Testament covenants, which is why he addresses only Israel.
Watch the Teaching: Why the Resurrection Happens in Order — 1 Corinthians 15:20-23