How does Acts 3:23 emphasize the importance of heeding God's prophets today? Setting the Scene Peter is speaking in Solomon’s Portico, proclaiming Jesus as the long-promised “prophet like Moses” (Deuteronomy 18:15). His next sentence drives home just how serious it is to ignore that prophet. The Verse’s Stark Warning “Everyone who does not listen to that prophet will be completely cut off from the people.” (Acts 3:23) Why the Warning Matters Today • God ties spiritual life or death to our response. “Cut off” is more than social exclusion; it pictures divine judgment (cf. Leviticus 23:29). • The verb “listen” (Greek akouō) means heed, obey, take to heart—not mere awareness. • The present tense makes the warning ongoing; every generation faces this decision. Prophetic Voice in the Church Age 1. The written Scriptures—“In these last days He has spoken to us by His Son” (Hebrews 1:1-2). Jesus’ words and the apostolic writings carry prophetic authority. 2. Faithful preaching and teaching—those who “speak as the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11) echo the prophets when they expound Scripture accurately. 3. Spirit-prompted exhortation—while the canon is closed, the Spirit still presses biblical truth on hearts, fulfilling Joel 2:28’s promise of prophetic utterance within proper biblical boundaries (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21). Practical Implications • Test every message by the Bible. True prophecy never contradicts God’s written Word (Isaiah 8:20). • Cultivate a posture of obedience; selective hearing is disobedience (James 1:22). • Recognize that ignoring conviction hardens the heart (Hebrews 3:7-8). • Encourage one another to remain receptive to Scripture’s voice (Hebrews 10:24-25). The Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher Acts 3:23 echoes Deuteronomy 18:19: “I Myself will call to account anyone who does not listen.” The same God who spoke through Moses speaks through His Son; to refuse Him invites eternal separation (Hebrews 2:1-3; Revelation 22:18-19). Final Takeaway Heeding God’s prophets—now embodied in the full revelation of Christ and Scripture—is not optional. Acts 3:23 reminds us that our response determines whether we remain in the covenant community or are “completely cut off.” Listen, obey, and live. |
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