Yes, Peter's speech in Acts is exclusively directed to the nation of Israel.
Peter, speaking to the crowd at Pentecost, specifically addresses 'ye men of Israel' (Acts 2:22) and 'all the house of Israel' (Acts 2:36), excluding Gentiles. He continues to deal with Israel on covenant ground, appealing to them to repent for rejecting and crucifying their Messiah, and still offering the kingdom if they believe.
Acts 2:36 — Peter explicitly addresses 'all the house of Israel' and accuses them of crucifying Jesus, showing the audience is Israel alone.
In Acts chapter 2, on the day of Pentecost, Peter speaks to a large gathering of Jews who had come from every nation under heaven. He directly addresses them as 'ye men of Israel' (Acts 2:22) and later says, 'Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ' (Acts 2:36). The Bible records that when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart and asked, 'Men and brethren, what shall we do?' (Acts 2:37). The biblical record shows that Peter does not include any mention of Gentiles in his sermon. He continues to speak to the nation of Israel, charging them with the death of their Messiah. Later, in Acts chapter 3, Peter again appeals to the nation to repent, saying, 'Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out' (Acts 3:19). The text thus consistently limits Peter's address to Israel alone.
Les Feldick teaches that Peter's speech in Acts is directed exclusively to the nation of Israel because God had not yet turned to the Gentiles. At this point, the message was still on covenant ground, offering Israel the opportunity to repent and receive their King and the promised Kingdom. Israel had rejected Jesus and demanded His crucifixion, but God, in His grace, gave them another chance. Les emphasizes that Peter repeatedly lays the blame for the crucifixion on the Jewish nation, yet he does so without anti-Semitism, because the whole human race is guilty of crucifying the Messiah. Les also points out that Israel's rejection reached its crescendo with the stoning of Stephen in Acts 7, after which God turned to the Gentiles. Until that point, Peter's message was to Israel alone, with no thought of including Gentiles. Even Peter himself, at this early stage, would not have addressed Gentiles as 'brethren,' for they had no idea that they were to have anything to do with them. Les stresses that God had not given up on Israel; Peter was still pleading with them to believe that the One they killed was their Messiah and King.
Peter's address to 'ye men of Israel' identifies his audience as the nation of Israel, not Gentiles. This is significant because it shows that the early message was still on covenant ground, dealing with Israel under the Abrahamic covenant and other Old Testament promises. Les Feldick explains that Peter is claiming that Christ came to fulfill these covenants, and he is making that claim on the nation even after the crucifixion and resurrection.
Peter accuses Israel of crucifying Jesus because they had rejected their Messiah and demanded His death. In Acts 2:23, Peter says, 'Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain.' Les explains that Peter is pointing out that Israel, who should have known better, rejected the One God sent to fulfill the Abrahamic covenant. This accusation is part of his call to repentance, so that they might receive their King and the Kingdom.
No. In Acts 2, Peter does not mention Gentiles at all. Les Feldick emphasizes this by noting that Peter says 'all the house of Israel' and leaves it at that—he does not say 'and you Gentiles.' Moreover, Les asserts that Peter would not have addressed Gentiles as 'brethren' at this point, because they had no idea that they were to have anything to do with Gentiles. The message was exclusively for Israel.
The purpose was to call Israel to repentance for rejecting and crucifying their Messiah, and to offer them the opportunity to still receive their King and the Kingdom. Les explains that Peter was 'hoping against hope' that Israel would wake up and realize that the One they killed was the Promised Messiah. Even after the crucifixion, God was ready to send Jesus back to be their King if they would believe.
Israel's Rejection of Christ
Les explains that for the most part the nation of Israel rejected Jesus as their King and Redeemer, culminating in the demand to crucify Him.
Peter on Covenant Ground
Les clarifies that Peter deals with Israel on covenant ground, pointing out that they rejected the one God sent to fulfill the Abrahamic covenant, and that the whole human race is guilty of the crucifixion.
Address to All Israel Only
Les highlights that Peter says 'all the house of Israel' and not 'and you Gentiles,' making it clear that Gentiles are excluded from this address.
Peter's Audience at Pentecost
Les describes Peter addressing a huge crowd of Jews gathered from all over the Roman Empire, continuing the theme that Christ came to fulfill Old Testament promises to Israel.
Israel's Final Rejection
Les explains that Peter appeals to Israel to repent of killing their Messiah, and that Israel's rejection reaches its crescendo with the stoning of Stephen, after which God turns to the Gentiles.
No Gentiles at This Point
Les emphasizes that Peter would not address Gentiles as 'brethren' at this time, as they had no idea they would have anything to do with Gentiles.
Inclusive Address to All Israel
Les notes that Peter's address is inclusive of all Israel—not just Judah—and he convicts them of killing their Messiah, prompting the question 'what shall we do?'
God Has Not Given Up on Israel
Les teaches that God had not given up on Israel; Peter is still pleading with the nation to believe that the One they killed was their King, and God is ready to send Him back if they believe.
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 his audience as 'men of Israel,' identifying them as the nation of Israel.
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 speaks to 'all the house of Israel,' accusing them of crucifying Jesus and declaring Him Lord and Christ.
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 charges Israel with the death of Jesus, holding them responsible for His crucifixion.
Acts 2:37: Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
The Israelites respond to Peter's message, showing they understood they were responsible for the crucifixion.
No. Peter's message is addressed solely to the nation of Israel. He speaks to 'ye men of Israel' and 'all the house of Israel,' and Les Feldick points out that Peter does not include any mention of Gentiles at that time.
Peter blames Israel because they rejected their Messiah and demanded His death. Les explains that Peter is dealing with Israel on covenant ground, showing that they, who should have known better, rejected the One sent to fulfill God's promises.
The purpose was to call Israel to repentance for rejecting their Messiah and to offer them the Kingdom if they would believe. Les emphasizes that God had not given up on Israel and was still giving them a chance to accept their King.
No. According to Les Feldick, God did not turn to the Gentiles until after Israel's final rejection, which culminated in the stoning of Stephen in Acts chapter 7. Until then, the message was still going to Israel.
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