Sept 11, 2019
READING TIME: 2-3 MINUTES
Dave, in Acts 3:19-21, was Peter reoffering the kingdom?
In Peter’s second sermon (Acts 3:19-21), he was not offering the imminent appearance of the kingdom to the nation, but rather he was merely laying out the condition that the nation must satisfy for the kingdom to become an eventual future reality. In other words, all Peter was saying in this sermon is that national repentance (Acts 3:19a) will be needed before Jesus can return from heaven (Acts 3:20–21) and usher in the kingdom conditions of “the times of refreshing” (Acts 3:19b) and “the restoration of all things” (Acts 3:21). Merely laying out the condition that the future Israel will one day satisfy for the kingdom to eventually arrive is quite different than offering the kingdom right then and there.
In other words, Peter was doing something similar to what Christ did at the end of His ministry when He stated what He did in Matthew 23:37-39.
Thus, Christ’s statements in Matthew 23:37-39 were not intended as an offer to first-century Israel but rather a prediction regarding future Israel who, unlike first-century Israel, will satisfy the condition necessary for the kingdom to come. Peter was doing something similar in Acts 3:19-21. The apostle was merely laying out the condition of national repentance that must be fulfilled in the future for the kingdom to come. Peter was using this condition as a way of solidifying the guilt of first-century Israel.
Here Peter was not reoffering the kingdom to the nation, nor was he telling them that if the nation repented the kingdom would be instituted at that time. Rather he was telling the nation—the same nation that had committed the sin for which there is no forgiveness—what they must do as a nation to enter into the benefits of the kingdom that had been covenanted and promised to them. In a word, they must “repent” (change their mind/heart).
“Times of refreshing” is a reference to the covenanted kingdom blessings that Messiah will provide when He reigns. Only after faith producing repentance brings about forgiveness of sins will God send the Messiah back to this earth to reign. The time “for God to restore everything,” to which Peter refers in Acts 3:21, is the same restoration referred to in Acts 1:6.
Thus, we must conclude that Peter was not offering the kingdom to Israel, nor was he stating that the kingdom had already been instituted; instead he was stating the conditions by which the nation will eventually enter into their covenanted blessings. The very fact that Peter anticipated the institution of the Davidic kingdom at some future time shows that the promise had not been abrogated because of Israel’s rejection, but only postponed.
It was not Peter’s prerogative to offer the kingdom since the timing was appointed by the Father’s authority (Acts 1:7; 3:20–21). Peter’s sermon reflected his belief that repentance was necessary so that God could someday restore the kingdom to Israel.
Source Used
Woods, Andrew M. The Coming Kingdom: What Is the Kingdom and How Is Kingdom Now Theology Changing the Focus of the Church? Grace Gospel Press. Kindle Edition.
