Peter told those who were listening that they had been sinning in ignorance. Acts 3:17 Friends, I realize that what you and your leaders did to Jesus was done in ignorance.[1]
The Jews had had certain expectations of what Messiah would look like. They did not expect the Messiah to come twice. They expected a political king to overthrow the Romans and be a political leader. Jesus did not meet those expectations when He came as a suffering servant, and that was one reason the Jews called for the crucifixion of Jesus.
Ignorance in Old Testament Law
In the Law, God had differentiated between those who purposely sinned against God and those who sinned in ignorance. There were severe penalties for those who deliberately sinned against God. Numbers 15: 30 But those who brazenly violate the Lord’s will, whether native-born Israelites or foreigners, have blasphemed the Lord, and they must be cut off from the community. 31 Since they have treated the Lord’s word with contempt and deliberately disobeyed his command, they must be completely cut off and suffer the punishment for their guilt.” [2]
If people ignorantly sinned, it did not remove the sinner’s guilt, but God gave a provision for repentance and forgiveness. Leviticus 5:5 When you become aware of your guilt in any of these ways, you must confess your sin.[3]
Jesus Prayed to Forgive Those Killing Him
After sentencing, soldiers led Jesus out of Jerusalem and nailed Him to a cross. Jesus responded in an unusual way. Luke 23: 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”[4] The Father answered that prayer. He could have sent judgment, but instead, the Father sent the Holy Spirit to convict lost sinners and empower His church.
In Old Testament times, if one unintentionally caused the death of another, he could flee to a city of refuge (Num. 35:9-34). The city of refuge was a place of safety where family members could not take vengeance. In much the same way, Peter invited those listening to flee to faith in Jesus and to find forgiveness and refuge in Him.
Moving from Ignorance to Faith
Peter healed the beggar in Jesus’ name and drew a crowd. Acts 3: 12 Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd.[5] While Peter accused the listeners of killing Jesus, he also offered them hope in repenting, forgiveness, and living in faith. We still have that same opportunity. God desires us to move from sinning in ignorance of Him to living in faith.
1 Peter 1:14 So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. 15 But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.[6]
Where is the Lord giving you a chance to move from ignorance to faith? How does the Holy Spirit desire to empower you to live a holy life? Seek God in prayer for the answers. To find out more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-healed-beggar
[1-6] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.