THE APOSTLE OF THE RECONCILIATION

The lame man stood by the power of the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, in `perfect soundness'. The word is

used by the Septuagint in Isaiah 1:6, `from the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it'. The

whole body of the nation was corrupt. Here, by a miracle, the lame man stands in perfect soundness; here was the

faint exhibition of `the powers of the age to come'.

This healing is definitely brought forward as a type by Peter in chapter 4. In verse 9 the word `whole' is in the

original sesostai, from sozo, to save. This is the word which supplies the word `salvation' in verse 12. When we

supply the article as well, the point of Peter's words is the more keenly appreciated. The impotent man stands saved

(healed) by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, `Whom ye crucified, Whom God raised from the dead ... neither is

there (the) salvation (healing) in any other'.

So the testimony was confirmed. Here is the `so great salvation' which was `confirmed'-`God also bearing

witness both with signs and wonders ...' (Heb. 2:4). Israel's healing still waits; the nation did not repent and believe.

As in Isaiah's day, `the saved' (tous sozomenous) (Acts 2:47) were a remnant only:

`Except the LORD of Hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should

have been like unto Gomorrah' (Isa. 1:9).

Summarizing, we have seen:

1.

The uppermost question. The restoration of the kingdom to Israel.

2.

The preparation. The completion of `the twelve'.

3.

The promise of the Father. `This is that' spoken by Joel - The Day of the Lord.

4.

The germinant fulfilment. The pouring out of holy spirit.

5.

Jesus of Nazareth, David's greater Son, raised to sit on his throne.

6.

The lame man healed. A type of Israel's healing.

The whole case is crystallized and focused in the apostle's words:

`RE-pent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of RE-freshing shall

come from the presence of the Lord; and He shall send Jesus Christ, Which before was preached unto you:

Whom the heaven must receive until the times of RE-stitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth

of all His holy prophets since the world began (an age)' (Acts 3:19-21).

The restoration of the kingdom is linked with the seasons of refreshing, which will take place at the times of

restitution, and not until Israel repents.

Paul's introductory and typical miracle answers the question, Did Israel repent? It also foreshadows the purpose

of God during the long interval of Israel's rejection and blindness, and the favour that goes out to the far off

Judicial blindness of Israel

Antioch, not

b 13:12.  Typical Gentile (Paulus) blessed.

c 13:13 to 14:28.  Paul's independent

with the

*

*

*

Rome, not

A a 28:25-27. Judicial blindness falls.

Gentiles blessed.

with the