Repent and Be Restored

June 9th, 2026
by Monica Godfrey

[ READ ] Acts 3:17-26

17 “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. 22 Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. 23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ 24 And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. 25 You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ 26 God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”

After the healing of the lame man, the people want to know more, so Peter begins to preach in the temple. Most of them did not understand that Christ was the Messiah when He was on earth, but they still can repent and believe in Christ and experience newness of life in Christ. The Lord works to build his kingdom through renewal, like this healing, through the Holy Spirit’s work, like in Peter’s preaching, and through suffering, like Stephen’s stoning in a few chapters.
Here Peter shows them how Christ fulfills the Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament; He is the Messiah they have been waiting for, and his kingdom is for all the families of the earth, not just the Jews. God has always had a rescue plan for the world, and it includes the church.
- Monica Godfrey

[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect.
+ How has prophecy been fulfilled regarding Christ? Why does it matter that the Old Testament prophecies are fulfilled?
+ Why should they repent? What is gained in repentance?
+ How is Christ described in this passage?

[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ “Repent and believe” is something we keep doing in our faith journeys. While we might already believe in Christ as Messiah and Savior, there are often specific aspects of our lives where we need to repent and believe in God. In what aspect of your life do you need to be realigned to God and His truth?
+ Has God given you opportunities like Peter to witness to His work in the world to others? Have you been faithful to take the opportunity and be open to the Spirit’s guiding?

[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
+ Pray with me:
Christ, we thank you for being the long-awaited Messiah, the Savior, and hope of the world. Thank you that in repenting of sin and placing our faith in you we have a new life and we are part of a new family. Father, we thank you for the people and places you have put us in. Help us to be bold like Peter to witness to who You are to those around us as we have opportunity. Spirit, lead us and guide in the way we present your truth and represent you in our lives. In Christ’s name we pray, amen.

[ SHARE ] what God is teaching you with at least one person: your roommate,
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
+ When we see Christ at work in our hearts and lives, it is easy to talk about it. What is one thing where you see God at work that you might share with someone this week?