How does Acts 10:43 affirm Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy? Standing on the Verse “Acts 10:43: ‘All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.’” What Peter Just Claimed • “All the prophets” – an umbrella for every inspired spokesman from Moses to Malachi. • “Testify about Him” – they pointed, in various ways, straight to Jesus. • “Everyone who believes… receives forgiveness” – the promise they foretold is now an accomplished fact through Jesus’ finished work. Prophetic Echoes Peter Had in Mind 1. The Promise of a Saving Seed • Genesis 22:18 – “In your seed all nations of the earth will be blessed.” • Fulfilled: Galatians 3:16 identifies that seed as Christ. 2. The Suffering Substitute • Isaiah 53:5 – “He was pierced for our transgressions… by His wounds we are healed.” • Fulfilled: 1 Peter 2:24 links the cross directly to Isaiah’s prophecy. 3. The Sin-Cancelling Covenant • Jeremiah 31:34 – “I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sins no more.” • Fulfilled: Hebrews 8:8-12 applies this new covenant to Jesus’ blood. 4. The Righteous Branch and Eternal King • Jeremiah 23:5-6 – a coming “Branch” called “the LORD our Righteousness.” • Fulfilled: Luke 1:31-33; Acts 13:22-23. 5. The Global Light for the Nations • Isaiah 49:6 – “I will make You a light for the nations, that My salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” • Fulfilled: Acts 13:47; Peter is already preaching to Gentiles in Acts 10. How Peter’s Words Affirm Literal Fulfillment • Real people, real events: Bethlehem birth (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1), crucifixion details (Psalm 22; John 19), resurrection promise (Psalm 16:10; Acts 2:31). • Universal offer, yet specific means: forgiveness “through His name” satisfies Jeremiah 31 while honoring Levitical demands for blood atonement (Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 9:22). • Prophets spoke centuries apart, but their unified witness converges in Jesus, verifying divine authorship and Scripture’s trustworthiness. Why Forgiveness in His Name Matters • Prophetic expectation wasn’t just national restoration; it was sin removed (Isaiah 1:18). • Jesus’ authority to forgive (Mark 2:10) validates Him as the promised Messiah. • Faith becomes the sole condition—consistent with Habakkuk 2:4, “the righteous will live by faith.” Living Out the Fulfillment • Confidence: The same prophets who foretold Messiah confirm the certainty of our salvation. • Urgency: If “everyone who believes” receives forgiveness, proclamation remains our joyful duty (Romans 10:14-15). • Assurance: Prophetic promises kept in Christ guarantee His future promises will also stand (John 14:3). Acts 10:43 is more than Peter’s summary; it is the prophets’ collective verdict. Jesus fulfills their words, and because He does, forgiveness is now freely offered to all who believe. |
    |