12 When Peter saw it, he addressed the people, “You Israelites, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our ancestors has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate, though he had decided to release him. 14 But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesus has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you.
17 “And now, friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer. 19 Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, – Acts 3:12-19
Who is this bold and authoritative preacher? Who is this confrontational, uncompromising warrior? This is Peter, the rock (Matthew 16:18).
Only a short time ago there was that unforgettable scene in the courtyard of the high priest. Peter the rock was confronted about his relationship with Jesus. And Peter the rock waffled. Three times he adamantly told his accusers: “I don’t know what you’re talking about! I don’t know the man!” (Matthew 26:72-74). Peter the rock was as fickle as shifting sand.
What has happened since that fateful and tear-filled night of Peter’s denials? He met the resurrected Christ along the Sea of Galilee and received forgiveness and restoration. And he experienced the filling of the Holy Spirit. In the glow of these experiences Peter’s heart has been ignited by the indwelling Spirit. Not because of his own strength or abilities, but because of Christ’s touch and the Holy Spirit’s filling, Peter is becoming the rock.
*This study commentary about Peter was taken from the NIV Study Bible, published by Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan.