Act 3:17-21 “And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing 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 restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.’’
Peter has just finished declaring to those gathered in Solomon’s Porch how they denied the Holy One. They had preferred a murderer over the only begotten Son of God. Now they were witnesses to the miraculous authority of Jesus Christ. A man lame from his birth was healed before their eyes.
Concerning their betrayal of Jesus, Peter said that he understood they did it through ignorance. Their rulers were also ignorant concerning who the Holy One was. Even though they had looked for the Messiah for generations, the majority did not know Him when He came in the flesh. Although He had risen from the dead, many still doubted.
However, the fact that they did what they did in ignorance did not change the purpose and power of God. By the words which He had given the prophets, God had shown what Christ should suffer. The prophets said that He would be born of a virgin, that He would be despised of men, and that He would hang on a tree. By those same prophets, God promised us that He would conquer sin and death in our stead and make atonement for us with the Father.
In their ignorance, they were fulfilling the very word of God. Christ did indeed both suffer and accomplish everything the scriptures said about Him. God is still the same today. Even though we may do things in ignorance, God is still able to use those things to bring honor and glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
While some may be allowed to continue in their ignorance, God allows others to come face to face with the truth of His mighty power. Being blessed to be witnesses of His authority, then we are enjoined to reconsider (repent) our thoughts and actions and turn (convert) to the truth of God’s holy purpose. We know that our repentance does not affect the efficacy of Christ’s suffering. It does, however, affect our joy in Him here and our refreshing in His presence.
There is certainly coming a day when all earthly trials shall cease, and we shall be eternally in God’s full presence. But praise His holy name, until that time it has pleased God to send Jesus Christ into our hearts. His truth is proclaimed in this gospel kingdom. We are restored unto fellowship with God our Creator, who has fulfilled every word spoken by the prophets.
May we rejoice in the assurance of the holy presence of Jesus Christ in our lives today, that our sins be blotted out from before us, and we be refreshed in His presence!
