Jim Stephens' Gracenotes from Resource Ministries International

Peter Transformed

ByJim Stephens

Scripture: Acts 3:12-26

12 Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd. “People of Israel,” he said, “what is so surprising about this? And why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness? 13 For it is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God of all our ancestors—who has brought glory to his servant Jesus by doing this. This is the same Jesus whom you handed over and rejected before Pilate, despite Pilate’s decision to release him. 14 You rejected this holy, righteous one and instead demanded the release of a murderer. 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. And we are witnesses of this fact! (Acts 3:12-15 NLT)

In Acts 3:12-26, Peter speaks to a crowd that has gathered in complete amazement after he and John healed a man who had been unable to walk from birth. I hope you’ll read the whole story. (You can click the link above.) Here are the things that really stood out to me:

  • The Holy Spirit-filled Peter had no need to be praised! The moment praise came his way, he immediately redirected it to Jesus. True spiritual impact requires we have the humility to be a conduit for the Spirit, not the source. (Verses 12–16)
  • Peter was courageously but not “brutally” honest; reminding the crowd they had approved of the crucifixion of Jesus in the recent past: “You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead.” (Verses 14–15)
  • Without condemnation, Peter called them “Friends”, telling them, “You and your leaders didn’t know what you were doing!” just as Jesus had said from the cross when he prayed for his crucifiers to be forgiven. Peter steered them toward repentance, toward receiving God’s forgiveness and cleansing from their sins, and being refreshed by the Holy Spirit’s work of mercy and grace. (Verses 17-20)
  • Peter redirected their understanding of the Scriptures. The messages of the prophets were not just for the “old days”, nor were they only for some distant time in the future when God would show up, but that “Every prophet, starting with Samuel, spoke about what is happening today!” (Verses 24-26)

The transformation that took place in Peter when he “received the Holy Spirit” is the same transformation I’m praying and living toward in myself: To be a conduit for the Spirit, and to compassionately point people to repentance and redemption, not condemnation and punishment. Let’s realize that the work of God’s Spirit shines brightest when the world around us seems darkest. Friends, this is our time to bring light and hope to our world!

Prayer:

Father, My heart is filled with hope as I see Peter’s transformation and as I earnestly desire that transformation in me! Come Holy Spirit! Come and fill us with your love!