What does Peter's reference to "the God of Abraham" signify for Jewish listeners? Setting the Scene in Acts 3 “ ‘The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus…’ ” (Acts 3:13). Moments after healing the lame man at the temple gate, Peter addresses a crowd of devout Jews. His very first words anchor the miracle in their shared spiritual heritage. Why Peter Chooses the Phrase “the God of Abraham” • A familiar covenant title every Jew would instantly recognize (Exodus 3:6, 15). • Signals continuity—Peter is not presenting a new deity but the same LORD who covenanted with their fathers. • Establishes credibility; by invoking Abraham, he stands within historic, authoritative faith rather than outside it. Echoes of Israel’s Foundational Covenant • Genesis 12:1-3—promise of land, nation, and universal blessing. • Genesis 26:24; 28:13—reaffirmed to Isaac and Jacob, cementing a lineage of promise. • Exodus 3:6—Moses hears the exact title at the burning bush, linking covenant to deliverance. • Reminds listeners that God’s past acts of redemption anticipate His present work in Jesus. Connecting Jesus to Abraham’s Promise • Peter states that this same God “has glorified His servant Jesus,” joining covenant history to the Messiah’s exaltation. • Galatians 3:16—“Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed… who is Christ.” • Acts 3:25-26 recasts Genesis 22:18: through Abraham’s Seed all families are blessed, beginning with Israel. • Matthew 1:1 traces Jesus’ lineage to Abraham, underscoring prophetic fulfillment. Affirmations for Jewish Listeners 1. Continuity: God’s dealings with Israel remain intact; Jesus is their covenant Messiah. 2. Fulfillment: Long-awaited promises are realized, not replaced. 3. Credibility: The miracle is authenticated by the very God their Scriptures exalt. 4. Call to loyalty: “Repent therefore and be converted” (Acts 3:19)—an invitation grounded in covenant faithfulness. Implications for Believers Today • The Gospel stands on the unbroken reliability of Scripture from Genesis onward. • Our salvation flows from the same God who called Abraham, proving His steadfast character. • Trust grows when we see Jesus as the centerpiece of God’s eternal, covenant-keeping plan. |
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