What is the meaning of Acts 3:15? You killed “You killed the Author of life…” (Acts 3:15a) Peter is speaking to a Jerusalem crowd that had recently cried, “Crucify Him!” Their participation in Jesus’ death was both direct (calling for His execution) and representative (standing for sinful humanity). • Personal responsibility: Acts 2:23 says Jesus was “handed over by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge,” yet “you…put Him to death.” Divine sovereignty never excuses human guilt. • Universal application: Isaiah 53:5 reminds us, “He was pierced for our transgressions,” placing every sinner at the foot of the cross. • Call to repentance: Peter’s blunt words are meant to cut the conscience, just as John 3:19 exposes that people “loved darkness rather than light.” the Author of life “…the Author of life…” (Acts 3:15a) Jesus is not merely a moral teacher; He is Life’s very source. • Creator and Sustainer: John 1:3-4 declares, “Through Him all things were made…in Him was life.” Colossians 1:16-17 echoes that all things “were created through Him and for Him.” • Pioneer of salvation: Hebrews 12:2 calls Him “the pioneer and perfecter of faith,” linking creation life with eternal life. • Stark irony: The crowd extinguished the human life of the One who originated life itself. but God raised Him from the dead “…but God raised Him from the dead…” (Acts 3:15b) The resurrection is God’s public vindication of His Son. • Fulfillment of promise: Psalm 16:10 foretold that God would not let His Holy One see decay; Peter cites this in Acts 2:31. • Power over death: Romans 1:4 states Jesus “was declared with power to be the Son of God…by His resurrection.” • Guarantee for believers: 1 Corinthians 15:20 calls Christ “the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep,” assuring our future resurrection. and we are witnesses of this fact “…and we are witnesses of this fact.” (Acts 3:15c) Eyewitness testimony grounds the gospel in historical reality. • Apostolic mandate: Acts 1:22 set the qualification that an apostle be “a witness of His resurrection.” • Multiple confirmations: 1 Corinthians 15:5-6 lists Peter, the Twelve, and over five hundred others who saw the risen Lord. • Transforming power: Peter, once fearful (Luke 22:57-60), now boldly proclaims Christ, illustrating how firsthand encounter with the risen Jesus changes lives. summary Acts 3:15 confronts us with humanity’s guilt—“You killed”—yet immediately magnifies God’s grace. The very One slain is “the Author of life,” impossible to keep in the grave; “God raised Him” in fulfillment of His redemptive plan. The apostles’ eyewitness testimony anchors these truths in verifiable history. The verse summons every reader to acknowledge sin, trust the risen Christ, and join the ongoing witness that Jesus is alive. |
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