Presence of god refreshment

PRESENCEOF GOD-REFRESHMENT
EDITED BY GLENN PEASE
Acts 3:20-21 New Living Translation(NLT) 20 Then
times of refreshment will come from the presenceof
the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your
appointedMessiah.
English Standard Version
that times of refreshing may come from the presence ofthe Lord, and that he
may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus,
BereanStudy Bible
that times of refreshing may come from the presence ofthe Lord, and that He
may send Jesus, the Christ, who has been appointed for you.
BereanLiteral Bible
so that times of refreshing may come from the presence ofthe Lord, and that
He may send the One having been appointed to you, Christ Jesus,
BIBLEHUB RESOURCES
Biblical Illustrator
And He shall send Jesus.

Acts 3:20
The MissionaryChrist
J. W. Burn.
A missionary is "one sent." Jesus was a missionary when He came to save;He
will be a missionary when He comes to judge. These missions have been
looselytermed the First and SecondAdvents as though there were no others.
But if the Old Testamenttheophanies were manifestations of Christ, then
Christ came on a pre-incarnate mission. Then, again, He had aa important
mission after the Resurrection;and further, we see from the text in
conjunction with ver. 26 and His promise, "Lo, I am with you," that He has
been engagedin a mission ever since the Ascension. So there are four advents
which characterise the successive phases ofthe mission of the Sonof God. The
text refers to that in which He is now engaged. Note —
I. THE MISSIONARY.
1. The name "Jesus"is generallyused of the Saviour in His human capacity;
and it is not without the profoundest interest that the Great Ambassadorfrom
on high is that "same Jesus" who assumedour humanity to qualify Himself
for a real brotherhood with our race. We have suggested, therefore, in the
name sympathy, helpfulness, accessibility, companionship. While we carefully
remember His august position on the throne of the universe, let us not forget
that that throne is occupied by our Brother, and that therefore we may "come
boldly to the throne of grace!"
2. Christ is the official title which represents our Lord as embodying all that
was meant by the "anointed" personagesofthe Old Testament. He is the
reality of which they were the type — the Messiah.(1)Christ, then, still
discharges His teaching functions, and says many things which He could not
say to His ancient disciples — not so much revealing new truth as unfolding
fresh developments, exhibiting new aspects, andbringing it home in unlooked-
for ways.(2)Christ is the Priest of His Church. Atonement was only one
function. He ever lives to apply the benefits of His sacrifice, to make

intercession, to pour forth His ceaselessblessings.(3)Christis King to
legislate, rule, and lead to victory.
II. THE SENDER God(ver. 19). That Jesus was the Sent of God shows —
1. The harmony of the missions of Christ incarnate and Christ glorified. No
more frequent thought was in our Lord's mind than that He came from God
exceptthe cognate thought that He was glad to come. So our text regards
Christ as still being sent, and, since the effects of His mission are so blessed
(ver. 26), with the same joy. What dignity and blessedness does this give to
those who receive Him! We are amazed at the condescensionand love which
marked the advent to Bethlehem; but under the same grand auspices does
Christ come to our soul, home, church.
2. The relation of Christ.(1) To the Father.
(a)Subordination. "Send."
(b)Equality. God only could do what Christ is sent to do (ver. 26).(2)To the
Holy Spirit. The "times of refreshing" are regardedas emphatically the
Spirit's, but our text shows that they are also Christ's. This harmony of
operationis seenthroughout the New Testament. And what God hath joined
togetherlet no man put asunder.
III. THE TIME; "Times of refreshing." Christ is always here, but He is not
always manifest. But He is supremely manifest during periods of spiritual
revival.
1. In the revival of personal religionit is the vivid realisationof Christ that
brings refreshment. Our dead, dry, barren times are when Christ is partially
or altogetherhidden. But when the clouds break the showers fall and the Sun
of Righteousnessshines forth, and all is gladand fruitful.
2. In the revival of Church life it is Christ brought home to the sinner,
magnified by the saint, and honoured in all effort that is the prime cause.
IV. THE MEANS. "Preachedunto you."

1. Christless preaching is never marked by a time of refreshing. There were
learned rabbis prophesying in a valley of dry bones; but it was a rude
fisherman that was the instrument of bringing them to life. This Peterdid by
simply preaching Christ. Scholastic philosophers were scattering their
ponderous tomes on an age that was not only dark but dead; but it was a rude
miner's sonthat awakenedEurope into life. This Luther did by simply
preaching Christ. Statelyessays were readby cultured thinkers in that
barren, arid eighteenth century; but untutored evangelists simply held up
Christ and times of refreshing came.
2. As a means of revival, therefore, preaching Christ is the chief. Other things
are important — architecture, music, visitation, schools, pleasantevenings,
etc. But a Church may have all, and yet lack the one thing needful. But the
Subject to be preached is a whole Christ: not His tender humanness apart
from His sovereigndignity; not His precious promises apart from His atoning
sacrifice. Letthe whole Christ be preached accompaniedby the powerof the
Holy Ghost, with and through whom He works, and "times of refreshing from
the presence ofthe Lord" will come.
(J. W. Burn.)
Times of Refreshing
R. C. Pritchett.
Acts 3:19-21
Repent you therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out…
Such times —

I. ARE NEEDED.Spiritual life is dependent on direct Divine agency. But as
there may be life without health or vigour, so in the believer and the Church
there may be real life but great languor, and when such is the case times of
refreshing are needed. This Divine influence is often comparedto rain, etc.
(Isaiah 35:1; Isaiah44:3; Ezekiel34:26; Isaiah61:11), and the result of its
exertion is fertility and growth.
1. Personalpiety will be deep and personalactivity energetic. Theseare here
connectedbecause theyshould never be separated. Pietywithout activity will
degenerate into spiritual selfishness;activity without piety will be formal and
mechanical. As spiritual life generallybegins in the closet, it is there that it
will be invigorated and revived. As the healthy man requires more sustenance
and has a larger appetite than the invalid, so there will be a craving for
spiritual food. As in health we crave for the fresh air of heaven, so we shall
often ascendthe mountain-top of communion with God. And this revived
piety, taking cognisanceofeternal realities, will prompt to corresponding
activity in the cause ofChrist. As such times are the result of spiritual
influence, by that influence the love of Christ will constrain to holy and
individual devotedness.
2. Domestic piety will be more manifest. If the flame of closetdevotion be dim,
that of the family altar cannot be bright; but when times of refreshing come
the members of the householdwill catchthe spirit of devotion, and those for
whom parents have long prayed will give evidence of spiritual life. Here,
perhaps, more than anywhere are such times to be desired. Worldly
amusements, literature, principles, conformity, have in too many instances
sapped the foundations of family religion.
3. Socialpiety will be revived. What dulness and formality there often is in
our Church organisationsand gatherings, and what a falling off in
consequence.But geta seasonofrefreshing, and the pastorwill speak direct

from the mount of communion a messagefrom God, and Church officers and
members, instead of availing themselves of any trifling excuse, will eagerly
throng to the services and zealouslywork all the departments. Equally great
will be the change in the habitual converse of Christians. Out of the fulness of
the heart the mouth will testify of spiritual things.
4. Sinners will be convertedand added to the Church. This has always been a
characteristic ofsuch seasons. Witness Pentecost, e.g.
II. MAY BE EXPECTED. We are not left in doubt as to the ultimate triumph
of the truth. Christ yet will draw all men unto Him. But Christ works by
agents, and since the success ofthe gospelis in proportion to the vigour of the
agents, we are led both by the nature of things and the Divine promises to
expecta renewalof spiritual invigoration from time to time. And as the
fruitful showers ofone year will not suffice for the next, but eachhas its own
supply, so we are led to expect for eachgeneration, and for eachbeliever in his
successive phasesofexperience and work, fresh supplies of reviving grace.
And the recurrence of such seasons maybe expectedfrom the analogyof the
past. They have always beensent when the Church's need has been great. It
was so after the Exile (Haggai1:14), in the days of the Baptist, at Pentecost, in
Italy under Savonarola, in Germany and Switzerland, at the time of the
Reformation, in America under JonathanEdwards, etc. (Isaiah 51:9).
III. MUST BE SOUGHT. While we refer their recurrence to the sovereignty
of God, yet He has indicated the course which we have to pursue. "I will yet
for this be inquired of by the House of Israelto do it for them." But if we
regard iniquity in our hearts the Lord will not hear us, "Repentye, therefore,
that the times of refreshing may come." This exhortation is neededby dead
Christians as well as dead sinners.

IV. WILL CHANGE THE WHOLE ASPECT OF THE CHURCH. There will
be —
1. Clearerknowledge ofDivine truth.
2. More manifest spirituality.
3. Greaterjoy.
(R. C. Pritchett.)
Times of Refreshing and of Restitution
R. Tuck
Acts 3:19, 21
These two words refer to the same time. "Without doubt the Apostle Peter, as
well as all the disciples, and the whole apostolic Church, regarded the coming
of Christ as near at hand, but still always as something future. This 'coming of
Christ' is to be conceivedas coinciding with the 'times of refreshing,'and his
sojourn in the heavenly world closes with his return to the earth for the
completion of his work. The conversionof men, therefore, and the diffusion of
faith in Christ, are the conditions of the speedy approachof that blessedtime"

(comp. 2 Peter3:9-13). "Respecting the sense of the term 'restitution of all
things,' no doubt can arise if we keepsteadily in view the relation of the
Redeemerto this sinful world: Christ is the Restorerofthe fallen creation,
and therefore the word 'restitution' derives from his redeeming powerits
peculiar meaning, viz that of bringing back to an originally pure condition."
The RevisedVersion materially improves the reading of these verses:
"Repent,... that so there may come seasonsofrefreshing from the presence of
the Lord." "These times or seasons ofrefreshing, and those 'times of
restitution or (restoration)of all things which God hath spoken,'both seemto
refer to the same greathope of the Church, and are connectedwith the second
sending forth of Jesus Christ from heaven to earth." Peterhad clearerideas
of the Messianic kingdom, but he was still trammeled by the national and
temporal figures under which it had been prophesied. His purpose evidently is
to urge the audience to an immediate acceptanceofChrist, as the way to bring
on the establishment of the long-promised and glorious Messianic time. And
the point of impression for us is this - Man's penitence, obedience, and faith
prepare the wayfor the coming of Christ's kingdom, and the fulfillment of all
the Divine promises. "The fasterIsrael turned to Jesus, the soonerwould
Jesus return to Israel." By this considerationwe are still urged to preach the
gospel, and persuade men to repent, at home and abroad.
I. THE TIMES OF REFRESHING THAT ARE ALWAYS CLOSE AT
HAND. God is ever "waiting to be gracious,"as it were watching for
opportunities of giving men his rich spiritual blessing. Revivals are always
close by, when men's hearts are made humble and open and seeking. Doesan
individual soulset itself upon humiliation and prayer? the "times of
refreshing" are at hand for it. Does a Church unite in confessionand
supplication? the "times of refreshing" will come in response to its cry. And
this assurance shouldactas a moral persuasion, and urge men to seek for
higher and better things. "We are not straitened in God." He would bless us
more abundantly if we were more truly ready for the blessing. "He is able to
make all grace abound," etc. Taking "times of refreshing" as seasons to be
realized now by the soul and by the Church, we may obtain illustrations from
the Old Testamenthistory, especiallyinstances occurring in the later years of

the national decline, such as the reformations under Hezekiahand Josiah. Or
from the New Testament, especiallydealing with Pentecost.Or from the
Christian ages, noticing that such "times" take a variety of form and
character. Sometimes they are prominently intellectual, as illustrated in the
revival under Luther and the Port Royalists;sometimes they are prominently
practical, as illustrated in the revival under St. Bernard; sometimes they are
prominently emotional, as illustrated in the revival under Whitefield, and in
the Scotchand Irish revivals of recent times. Such "times of refreshing" are
necessaryto the proper culture of our spiritual life. Under present conditions,
the maintenance of goodis so difficult. Oftentimes even holy purpose flags,
and we become wearyin well-doing. So in all departments of life we need
revival times. Such are our summer restings, our sabbaths, birthdays, etc. If
we will but setourselves in proper attitudes of humility and seeking, we shall
find God's "refreshing times" ever at hand. Apply especiallyto the calling of
men to repentance and faith. Show what poweron them we gain when, with
St. Peter, we can say," The grace is ready, waiting for you if you will turn.
Forgivenessis ready. The door of the new kingdom is open ready. Eternal life
is ready. God waits but your uplook to come in, and save, evenyou. Repent,
that the goodtimes may come for you.
II. THE TIMES OF RESTORATIONTHAT ARE COMING BY-AND-BY.
We should get some fitting ideas of the greatplan for the recovery of the fallen
race of man. Unquestionably the world is a fallen, disordered, ruined world.
But God has gracious purposes concerning the restitution," or setting right,
"of all things." And our Lord's death for human redemption began the
restorationof all things. Our Lord's present spiritual work in the
"heavenlies" -the moral and spiritual spheres - is the presidencyof the
restoring work. Then we must conceive ofsome glorious coming day of
restitution, when the Divine plan and purpose shall be fully accomplished. We
can only gain very imperfect and unworthy ideas of what that day will be; but
we may gain deep impressions of our own relation to its on-coming, and of our
own duty to hasten the glorious time, by seeing to it that the work of restoring
grace is fully wrought in our hearts, lives, and spheres, and that the gospelof
the living Savioris so widely preached that "every knee may be brought to

bow to him." There is a true sense in which we may hasten the day when the
Redeemer"shallsee of the travail of his soul, shall be satisfied," and shall
"deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father." We may give ourselves to
Christ, and make one more sinner won. We may speak ofChrist to others,
persuade them to repent and believe, and so help to multiply the number of
the saved, who shall be acknowledgedin that greatday. - R.T.
Times of Refreshing from the Presence ofthe Lord
W. B. Leach.
Acts 3:19-21
I. WHAT THEY ARE. The phrase might be read —
1. "Times of cooling," in allusion to the custom of labourers, especiallyin
Easterncountries, of retiring to the shade during the heat of the day to recruit
their exhausted strength. And what are these hallowedhours, whether on the
week days or on the Sabbath, but times of refreshing, affording an agreeable
pause amid the busy scenes oflife, enabling us to retire from the burden and
heat of the day to "the shadow of a greatrock in a wearyland?" Here grows
the "tree of life," of which the grateful Church exclaims, "I satdown under
His shadow with delight, and His fruit was sweetunto my taste." Here gently
rolls "the river of the waters of life," "whose streams make gladthe city of
God." Here, like Nathanaelunder the fig-tree, we can review all ,'the way in
which the Lord our God hath led us," and that is refreshing. Here we can

contemplate the unfolded mysteries of redeeming love, and that is refreshing.
We caninspect the work of grace in the heart, and that is refreshing. We can
look into the promises and examine the covenantwhich is "orderedin all
things and sure," and that is refreshing. We can think of heaven, and that is
"refreshing,"
2. Times of refection. The renewedsoul has an appetite as well as the body,
and the blessings of salvationare adapted to our necessities."In this mountain
shall the Lord of Hosts make unto all people a feastof fat things," etc. To
these rich provisions we have constantaccess. Here is food for all, and the
whole in pleasing variety. Here is "the sincere milk of the Word" for "babes
in Christ," etc.
3. Times of humidity, softening, and moisture, when the genialshowers or
refreshing dews saturate and revive the thirsty bosom of vegetation. Apt
emblem of the refreshing influences of the Holy Ghost, which "come down
like rain upon the new-mown grass, and as the showers whichwaterthe
earth." And how welcome these heavenlyshowers!How they refreshthe soul
of the minister, who, having sownthe goodseedof the Word, is anxious to see
"the blade, the ear, and the full corn in the ear!" How they revive the spirit of
the people whose gracesopenand expand like "trees planted by the rivers of
water!" What a happy effectthey have upon our religious institutions! What a
sweetperfume, as a "savourof life unto life," do they produce, as you find in a
garden after a refreshing shower!And what a beautiful bow upon "the cloud
of our mercies as in the day of rain," do they impress, when they descendin
concertwith the Sun of Righteousness, like "the bow of promise mid the
storm."
II. THE SOURCE WHENCE THEY SPRING — "The presence ofthe Lord."
This renders them doubly valuable. The gift is enhancedby the love which we
bear to the Giver, especiallywhenwe recollectHis motive, the way in which

our supplies have been procured, the medium through which they descend,
the impossibility of procuring others of equal worth, our own unworthiness
and "the fulness of joy and the pleasure for evermore" of which they are the
pledge and the earnest. Theycome "from the presence ofthe Lord," as the
pool of Bethesda was renderedmedicinal by the presence ofthe angel;as the
bitter waters of Marah became sweetby the influence of the tree which was
castinto them; or as the sorrowing disciples were made glad by the presence
of the Redeemer. Thatthe blessedGodis present with His people whenever
and whereverthey meet togetherin His name, requires no proof. He has
promised, "in all places where I recordMy name will I come unto you and
bless you."
III. THEIR IMPORTANCE.Whatwould the earth be without the genial
showers whichwater it but a desert, whateverour skillor labour? Thus it
would be in our Churches without Divine influences. Ministers might "break
up the fallow ground, and scatterthe precious seed," but it would not
germinate. "We should labour in vain, and spend our strength for nought."
But when the Spirit is poured out from on high, "The wilderness shallbud
and blossomas the rose." The Holy Ghost is the fruitful source of vital
religion. Without His fructifying graces,instructions, invitations, warnings,
judgments, mercies, miracles — are all unproductive. But when He descends,
"like showers ofheavenly rain," the simplest means produce the noblest
effects. And as the Holy Spirit produces vital religionwhere it has never
existed before, so He revives it where it has withered, strengthens it where it is
weak, and beautifies, expands, and causes it to unfold where it has been
contractedand confined.
IV. HOW THEY ARE TO BE OBTAINED.
1. By a conviction of their value. This is requisite to give a proper impulse to
our solicitude.

2. By fervent and persevering prayer. We must ask in order that we may
receive. Forthe blessings whichwe require the Lord will be sought unto. And
"if ye, being evil," etc.
3. Prayermust be followedby an avoidance ofthose inconsistenciesand
declensions which"grieve the Holy Spirit of God."
(W. B. Leach.)
Times of Refreshment
DeanPlumptre.
Acts 3:19-21
The thought is that againexpressedboth by St. Peter(2 Peter3:12) and by St.
Paul (Romans 11:25-27), that the conversionof sinners, especiallythe
conversionof Israel, will have a powerto acceleratethe fulfilment of God's
purposes, and, therefore, the coming of His kingdom in its completeness. The
word for "refreshing" is not found elsewhere in the New Testament, but the
cognate verb meets us in 2 Timothy 1:16. In the Greek version of Exodus 8:15,
it stands where we have "respite." The "times of refreshing" are
distinguished from the "restitution of all things" of verse 21, and would seem
to be, as it were, the gracious preludes of that greatconsummation. The souls
of the wearywould be quickened as by the fresh breeze of morning; the fire of

persecutionassuagedas by "a moist whistling wind" ("Song of the Three
Children," verse 24). Israel, as a nation, did not repent, and therefore hatred
and strife went on to the bitter end without refreshment. For every church, or
nation, or family, those "times of refreshing" come as the sequelof a true
conversion, and prepare the way for a more complete restoration.
(DeanPlumptre.)
Times of Restitution and Restoration
DeanVaughan.
Acts 3:19-21
In the text we have(1) the conditions of salvation by Christ: repentance, and
conversion;change of mind, and change oflife; reviewing the past with true
contrition, and turning to God with full purpose of amendment:(2) the
immediate result, forgiveness;the cancelling of sin; the obliteration of the
guilty record; the "casting allour sins into the depths of the sea";the so
passing by, the so dismissing, the sins of those who truly repent, that He
remembers them no more: and(3) the future result; "that so there may come
from God's presence seasons ofrefreshing";that so, the number of His elect
being at last accomplished, He may send Jesus Christ, the Saviour, who is now
in heaven awaiting the arrival of those times of restitution, restoration,
reparation of all things which have been the greatsubject of Divine prediction
from the first. The arrival of the times thus describedis made to depend upon
the repentance and conversionof man.

I. The period of refreshing. The word thus rendered is properly a revival by
fresh air; the consequence ofletting in a breeze of cooland invigorating air
upon one who has been long fainting under a sultry and oppressive
atmosphere. Do not we want such times? Are we not all conscious ofthe
oppressive weightof this world's atmosphere? Do we not all feel ourselves
oftentimes fainting with the closeness andsultriness of the air we are forcedto
breathe? The oppressionof persecution is rather "a stormy wind and
tempest" which has in it something of a wholesome severity, rousing our
whole being into a more resolute and vigorous vitality. But the text speaks of
that stifling heat which at once indisposes and incapacitates forexertion; of
that sense ofbreathing an exhausted air, or living in a crowdedcabin, which
paralyses every energy, and at last forbids repose itself. How seldomdoes the
refreshing breath of God's Holy Spirit revive Christians into the buoyancy of
conscious life and health! How seldom does the sweetinfluence of the Divine
presence lift them into that upper air where no earth-born cloud darkens
their sky, and no noxious vapour damps or poisons their atmosphere!They
can tell the times when this has been their bright experience. But far more
often they sigh for light and air, hunger for food, thirst for water. In
prosperity the air of earth is laden with a luscious perfume, lulling us into a
stupor which is no repose. In adversity we seemto be confined within the
walls of a sick-room,. from which worldly pleasure is banished, without the
admission of a heavenly visitant.
II. THE TIME OF RESTITUTION.Whata tangled, disordered, inverted
thing is the world as we see it! What a deteriorationfrom any condition in
which God could everhave pronounced it to be very good. "The whole
creationgroanethand travaileth," etc. Only see, forexample, bow the
relations of life are disorganised!See what misfortunes, sorrows, spring out of
the affections!See the hearts of fathers turned from their children, and the
hearts of children from their fathers. See the weakerand the more trusting
half of mankind made the sport and the victim of the strongerand the less
sensitive. See the distinction of ranks now cruelly aggravated, andnow

violently obliterated. And under the government of a righteous and holy God
can it be conceivedthat this state of things should be perpetual? Is not the
very extent of the ruin a prophecy of the restoration? Canit be that God
should thus have made all things in vain, and suffered His own beautiful
handiwork to be thus marred and desolatedfinally? It has been the language
of all prophecy that there shall be a time of restitution. "We," the same
apostle writes, "according to His promise, look for new heavens, and a new
earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness."And shall it not be a comfortto the
true Christian to look forward to the arrival of that time when the ways of
God shall be finally justified to the universe? How does it become us to see
that we ourselves be not adding to the confusion. Although the restorationof
all things is not yet, yet let us remember that there is a restitution, a
reparation, a reconstruction, which belongs to all time; a repentance and a
conversionwhich, if not realisedhere, can be realisednowhere;a renewalof
soul, and an amendment of life under the influence of the Holy Spirit, which is
the condition of our ever being admitted into the world in which dwelleth only
righteousness. Ifwe would ever enter heaven, we must begin it here. If we
would ever see the restorationof all things, we.must struggle day by day here
for our own.
(DeanVaughan.)
Religious Revivals Times of Refreshing
J. S. Pearsall.
Acts 3:19-21

(text, and Psalm 85:6): — I have selectedthese words —
I. AS THE DEEP UTTERANCESOF OUR LONGINGS FOR A REVIVAL
IN OUR OWN LAND.
1. Do we not feel the need of it in ourselves individually? Religionbegins with
a man's self and works outward. "When thou art converted, strengthenthy
brethren." Instead of saying, "What lack I yet?" or "thanking God you are
not like other men," rather cry, "My soul cleavethunto the dust. O quicken
Thou me, according to Thy Word." Are some secretlyflattering themselves
that they have not lived in open ungodliness? "Ah, but where is the
blessednessye once spake of?" What report from thy closet? thy scene of daily
labour? the house of God, the Sunday school? the chamber of the sick and
dying? "Wilt Thou not revive me again?"
2. Is there no need for a revival in our families? Have you setyour house in
order? Do you walk within your house with a perfectheart? Is there here no
too indulgent Eli? Is there no parent troubled with an Absalom? Like Jacob,
are you suffering from concealedidols? Difficulties are felt in these modern
times by many a parent; but let the "land mourn, every family apart," and
"the voice of rejoicing and salvation shall be in the tabernacles ofthe
righteous." Let the family Bible, the family altar, and the family pew, secure
the family blessing.
3. Is there no need for a revival in our Churches? But let us beware of that
censoriousnesswhichcan see nothing but faults, and even feela pleasure in
exposing them. The ears of the world are open to these aspersions,and out of
their mouths they condemn us. Mark you the example of Christ in the
addresses to the Churches in Asia: where possible, praise is blended with
censure, and praise has the precedence.

4. Our eyes naturally turn to our nation at large, and we inquire if no revival
be needed. What is our national character, habits, and reputation abroad?
Look at your senate, universities, markets, factories, press, theatres,prisons,
the sins and miseries of your streets, by night as well as by day, and will you
not "sighand cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof"?
The deep convictionof national sins precedes a revival.
II. THE SOURCE OF A RELIGIOUS REVIVAL. Whence is it? "From
heaven, or of men?" What more perplexes the worldly philosopher than to see
crowds of men, women, and children rushing to the prayer-meeting. On the
Day of Pentecost"theywere all amazed and were in doubt, saying one to
another, What meaneth this? Others mocking, said, These men are full of new
wine." But all this leaves the phenomenon of a genuine religious revival
unexplained. That a real revival, as tested by the fruits of repentance and a
holy life, is the work of the Spirit, we boldly aver. We argue this from the
change effected. I appeal to the history of the Church. Say, whether you refer
to the conversionof the three thousand, or of individuals, as the malefactor,
Zaccheus, Saulof Tarsus, or the jailor, whether in every case it was not as
with Lydia — "The Lord opened the heart." If any fact were necessaryto
confirm this view, it would be not only the notorious sinners that have been
converted, but the humble and despisedagents and agencyemployed. But let
us appeal to the Scripture itself. What say apostles oftheir own success?"Not
that we are sufficient of ourselves." "So thenneither is he that planteth
anything, neither he that watereth, but God that giveth the increase.""Notby
might, nor by power; but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." And the same
Voice is heard saying, "And I will make them and the places round about My
hill a blessing," etc.
III. THE JOYOUSNESS OF ITS CHARACTER.

1. This time is one of "refreshing" from its effects on our own minds. Some of
you may be awakenedto discoverthe exceeding sinfulness of sin, and to be
alarmed for its consequences.See the penitent at the footstoolof mercy
beseeching the royal forgiveness;mark the proclamation of the Sovereign's
favour, and watchthe change on the suppliant's countenance!"I, even I, am
He that blotteth out thy transgressions forMine own sake, andwill not
remember thy sins." How different now the heart of the suppliant to the
trembling with which he approachedto presentthe prayer "Hide Thy face
from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities!" Was it not so with the jailor
when he "rejoicedwith all his house"? Was it not so with the men "prickedin
their heart"? "Theygladly receivedhis word."
2. Is it not a time of refreshing when we witness large accessions to the
Christian Church? Rousedto a feeling of compassionfor the perishing world,
the Church unites her joy on earth with the "joy in heaven over one sinner
that repenteth." But if the rescue ofone sinner be such joy, what rejoicing
when at these seasons Satan's empire is shakento its centre, and he himself
trembles for his kingdom?
3. Then the Churches themselves are so purified and separatedfrom the
world, that they not only believe in, but experience the communion of saints.
The charity of every one of them towards eachother aboundeth. Insteadof
being idlers, they are in "labours more abundant"; instead of being troublers
they are peace-workers ofZion.
4. But we have not reachedthe height of the joy until we have associated
religious revivals with the manifestedglory of God.
(J. S. Pearsall.)

STUDYLIGHTRESOURCES
Adam Clarke Commentary
Which before was preachedunto you - Instead of προκεκηρυγμενον, before
preached, ABCDE, fifty-three others, both the Syriac, all the Arabic, the
Armenian, Chrysostom, and others, have προκεχειρισμενον, who was before
designed, or appointed; and this is without doubt the true reading. Christ
crucified was the personwhom God had from the beginning appointed or
designedfor the Jewishpeople. It was not a triumphant Messiahwhichthey
were to expect; but one who was to suffer and die. Jesus was this person; and
by believing in him, as thus suffering and dying for their sins, he should be
againsent, in the powerof his Spirit, to justify and save them.
Albert Barnes'Notes onthe Whole Bible
And he shall send … - Acts 1:1 l. Under this economyof things, he shall send
Jesus Christ, that is, the Messiah, to teachpeople;to redeemthem; to save
them; to judge the world; to gather his people to himself; and to condemn the
wicked. Under this economythey were then. This, therefore, was an argument
why they should repent and turn to God, that they might escape in the day of
judgment.
Which before was preached… - Who has been proclaimed as the Messiah.
The name “Jesus Christ” is equivalent here to “the Messiah.” The Messiah
had been proclaimed to the Jews as aboutto come. In his time was to be the
period of refreshing. He had come; and they were under the economy in
which the blessings ofthe Messiahwere to be enjoyed. This does not refer to
his personalministry, or to the preaching of the apostles, but to the fact that
the Messiahhadbeen a long time announced to them by the prophets as about
to come. All the prophets had preachedhim as the hope of the nation. It may

be remarked, however, that there is here a difference in the manuscripts. A
large majority of them read προκεχειρισμενονprokecheirismenonwho was
designatedor appointed, instead of who was preached. This reading is
approved by Griesbach, Knapp, Bengel, etc. It was followedin the ancient
Syriac, the Arabic, etc., and is undoubtedly the true reading.
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
Bibliography
Barnes, Albert. "Commentaryon Acts 3:20". "Barnes'Notes onthe New
Testament". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bnb/acts-3.html.
1870.
return to 'Jump List'
The Biblical Illustrator
Acts 3:20
And He shall send Jesus.
The MissionaryChrist
A missionary is “one sent.” Jesus was a missionary when He came to save;He
will be a missionary when He comes to judge. These missions have been
looselytermed the First and SecondAdvents as though there were no others.
But if the Old Testamenttheophanies were manifestations of Christ, then
Christ came on a pre-incarnate mission. Then, again, He had aa important
mission after the Resurrection;and further, we see from the text in
conjunction with Acts 3:26 and His promise, “Lo, I am with you,” that He has
been engagedin a mission ever since the Ascension. So there are four advents
which characterise the successive phases ofthe mission of the Sonof God. The
text refers to that in which He is now engaged. Note--

I. The missionary.
1. The name “Jesus”is generallyused of the Saviour in His human capacity;
and it is not without the profoundest interest that the Great Ambassadorfrom
on high is that “same Jesus” who assumedour humanity to qualify Himself
for a realbrotherhood with our race. We have suggested, therefore, in the
name sympathy, helpfulness, accessibility, companionship. While we carefully
remember His august position on the throne of the universe, let us not forget
that that throne is occupied by our Brother, and that therefore we may “come
boldly to the throne of grace!”
2. Christ is the official title which represents our Lord as embodying all that
was meant by the “anointed” personagesofthe Old Testament. He is the
reality of which they were the type--the Messiah.
II. The SenderGod (Acts 3:19). That Jesus was the Sent of God shows--
1. The harmony of the missions of Christ incarnate and Christ glorified. No
more frequent thought was in our Lord’s mind than that He came from God
exceptthe cognate thought that He was glad to come. So our text regards
Christ as still being sent, and, since the effects of His mission are so blessed
(Acts 3:26), with the same joy. What dignity and blessednessdoes this give to
those who receive Him! We are amazed at the condescensionand love which
marked the advent to Bethlehem; but under the same grand auspices does
Christ come to our soul, home, church.
2. The relation of Christ.
(a) Subordination. “Send.”
(b) Equality. God only could do what Christ is sentto do (Acts 3:26).

III. The time; “Times of refreshing.” Christ is always here, but He is not
always manifest. But He is supremely manifest during periods of spiritual
revival.
1. In the revival of personal religionit is the vivid realisationof Christ that
brings refreshment. Our dead, dry, barren times are when Christ is partially
or altogetherhidden. But when the clouds break the showers fall and the Sun
of Righteousnessshines forth, and all is gladand fruitful.
2. In the revival of Church life it is Christ brought home to the sinner,
magnified by the saint, and honoured in all effort that is the prime cause.
IV. The means. “Preachedunto you.”
1. Christless preaching is never marked by a time of refreshing. There were
learned rabbis prophesying in a valley of dry bones; but it was a rude
fisherman that was the instrument of bringing them to life. This Peterdid by
simply preaching Christ. Scholastic philosophers were scattering their
ponderous tomes on an age that was not only dark but dead; but it was a rude
miner’s son that awakenedEurope into life. This Luther did by simply
preaching Christ. Statelyessays were readby cultured thinkers in that
barren, arid eighteenth century; but untutored evangelists simply held up
Christ and times of refreshing came.
2. As a means of revival, therefore, preaching Christ is the chief. Other things
are important--architecture, music, visitation, schools, pleasantevenings, etc.
But a Church may have all, and yet lack the one thing needful. But the
Subject to be preached is a whole Christ: not His tender humanness apart
from His sovereigndignity; not His precious promises apart from His atoning
sacrifice. Letthe whole Christ be preachedaccompaniedby the powerof the
Holy Ghost, with and through whom He works, and “times of refreshing from
the presence ofthe Lord” will come. (J. W. Burn.)

Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesyof BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Bibliography
Exell, JosephS. "Commentary on "Acts 3:20". The Biblical Illustrator.
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/tbi/acts-3.html. 1905-1909.
New York.
return to 'Jump List'
Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible
And that he may send the Christ who hath been appointed for you, even
Jesus, whomthe heavens must receive until the times of restorationof all
things, whereofGod spake by the mouth of his holy prophets that have been
of old.
Whereas in Acts 2:38 Peterhad promised that remission of sins and the gift of
the Holy Spirit would follow their obeying the gospel, there is here assigned
another consequence,namely, that (God) may send the Christ, etc. Christ had
already come and completedthe work of his First Advent, making this a
reference to the SecondComing, which in this verse is promised as an event
that would be hastenedby the people obeying the gospel, indicating, as
McGarveysaid, that:
A certain amount of work in the saving of men was to be accomplishedbefore
his coming. This is indicated by the qualifying remark, "whom the heavens
must receive until the restorationof all things whereofGod spake by the
mouth of his holy prophets."[16]

There is a definite hint here that Christ's SecondAdvent will not appearuntil
a certain number of souls have been redeemed; and, that being true, one of
the reasons forthe severe weeping of Jesus overthe fate of Jerusalemdue to
their rejecting him is evident. IF the Jews had receivedChrist, there canbe no
doubt that Christianity would have been the choice of far greaternumbers of
men, and God's purpose could have been realized much sooner;and Peter
definitely says as much right here. The tragic rejectionof Israel, however, had
the effectof extending the long agonyof mankind, vastly increasing the
numbers of men who would be born, and thus fulfilling the curse upon Eve
that God would "multiply thy sorrow and thy conception" (Genesis 3:16).
Thus, the human race blew its secondchance in Israel's rejectionof the
Christ, the same being a disasterfor humanity, fully comparable to the
original debacle in Eden. Here, Peterpleaded with the people to obey the
gospelthat God might send the Christ, etc., in his SecondAdvent.
Whom the heavens must receive ... means that Jesus will not appear again
until a certain time future, at which time "the restorationof all things," in one
sense, shallhave been completed, and to be followedby certain other
restorations. Here againone thinks of the primary and secondaryarches of
the rainbow, as so often in prophecy.
Until the times of the restorationof all things ... The primary and immediate
thing in view here is the accomplishmentof all those things which had been
prophesied by the Old Testamentprophets, Acts 3:21b being a qualifier of the
things to be restored;and, concerning those things, the SecondAdvent will be
at the end, not the beginning of the restoration. The premillennial views are
not supported by this text. Christ explained that John the Baptist's coming to
"restore allthings" was fully accomplished(Matthew 17:11,12);and men
"knew him not." Also, none of the outlandish things the Jews thought would
happen when Elijah "restoredallthings" ever took place. It is, in all
probability, certainthat the "restorationofall things," as taught by the
prophets, is now going on under the reign of Christ, and that all shall be
accomplishedwithout the majority of mankind ever being in the slightest
degree aware ofit. Jesus himself made the work and the events of John's
ministry, in certain particulars, typical of his own. Just as John was killed, so
would Jesus be crucified, etc.

Despite this, there is the definite suggestionin places like this of a further
restorationof "all things," following the judgment. As Dummelow believed:
"It means the restorationof the whole universe to its original and planned
perfection ... as in the `new heavens and the new earth'" (2 Peter 3:13).[17]
[16] J. W. McGarvey, op. cit., p. 63.
[17] J. R. Dummelow, op. cit., p. 823.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible
And he shall send Jesus Christ,.... Or "that he may send Jesus Christ", as the
Syriac and Arabic versions render it: not in person, for this regards neither
his first, nor his secondcoming, both which might be terrible to the awakened
Jews;the former, because he had been sent, and was come, and was gone
again;and therefore might fear there was no hope for them, who had denied
him, and crucified him; the latter, because they might conclude he would be
sent, and come to take vengeanceon them, when they should look upon him
whom they had pierced with horror and trembling; but here it regards his
being sent, and his coming in the ministration of the word, and by his Spirit,
to the comfort of their souls:
which before was preachedunto you; in the writings of the Old Testament, in
the books ofMoses, andof the Prophets, Acts 3:22 or, as it is read in the
Alexandrian copy, and in other copies, and in the Complutensian edition, and
in the Syriac and Arabic versions, who was "predetermined" or "prepared
for you"; that is, in the purposes, council, and covenant of God. The Ethiopic
version reads, "whomhe before anointed"; to be prophet, priest, and King;
and from eachof these considerations much comfort might be drawn by
sensible sinners.
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
he shall send Jesus Christ — The true reading is, “He shall send your
predestinated (or foreordained) Messiah, Jesus.”

People's New Testament
And he shall send Jesus Christ. Again we have to turn to the Revisionfor the
meaning. The greathope of the Jews was the Messiah. He had come, been
rejected, and had returned to heaven. His return will be prepared for by
repentance, and turning to the Lord. The blotting out of sins, the seasonsof
refreshing, and the return of Christ are all, in some measure, dependent on
their repentance and turning. {The Christ} appointed is {even Jesus,}the
crucified One.
Robertson's WordPictures in the New Testament
And that he may send the Christ who hath been appointed for you, even Jesus
(και αποστειληι τον προκεχειρισμενονυμιν Χριστον Ιησουν — kaiaposteilēi
ton prokecheirisōmenonhumin Christon Iēsoun). First aoristactive
subjunctive with οπως αν — hopōs an as in Acts 15:17 and Luke 2:35. There
is little real difference in idea between οπως αν — hopōs an and ινα αν — hina
an There is a conditional element in all purpose clauses. The reference is
naturally to the secondcoming of Christ as Acts 3:21 shows. Knowling admits
“that there is a spiritual presence ofthe enthroned Jesus which believers
enjoy as a foretaste ofthe visible and glorious Presenceofthe Παρουσια —
Parousia Jesus did promise to be with the disciples all the days (Matthew
28:20), and certainly repentance with accompanying seasons ofrefreshing
help getthe world ready for the coming of the King. The word
προκεχειρισμενον — prokecheirisōmenon(perfectpassive participle of
προχειριζω — procheirizō from προχειρος — procheiros at hand, to take into
one‘s hands, to choose)is the correcttext here, not προκεκηρυγμενον —
prokekērugmenonIn the N.T. only here and Acts 22:14; Acts 26:16. It is not
“Jesus Christ” here nor “Christ Jesus,”but “the Messiah, Jesus,”identifying

Jesus with the Messiah. Seethe SecondEpiphany of Jesus foretoldalso in 1
Timothy 6:15 and the First Epiphany describedin 1 Peter1:20.
Vincent's Word Studies
Which before was preached( τὸν προκεκηρυγμένον)
But the best texts read προκεχειρισμένον, appointed. Compare Acts 22:14.
Used by Luke only, Acts 22:14; Acts 26:16. The verb originally means to take
in hand.
Wesley's ExplanatoryNotes
And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preachedunto you:
And he may send — The apostles generallyspeak ofour Lord's second
coming, as being just at hand.
Who was before appointed — Before the foundation of the world.
Calvin's Commentary on the Bible
20.Thatwhen If we follow Erasmus and the old interpreter, this sentence shall
be unperfect, (185) which may be made perfect, thus: When the time of
refreshing shall come, you may also enjoy this refreshing; when Christ shall
come to judge the world, you may find him a redeemerand not a Judge. But
because Beza doth fitly translate it, After that they shall come, it is better to
retain that which is not so racked;(186) so you resolve it thus: That sins are so
forgiven againstthe day of the last judgment; because, unless we be cited to
appear before God’s judgment-seatwe are not greatly carefulto pacify God.
First of all, we must note, that he settethbefore them the day of judgment, to
the end the former exhortation may take the greatereffect. Forthere is
nothing which doth more prick us, than when we are taught that we must

once give an account. Forso long as our sensesare holden and kept in this
world, they are drowned, as it were, in a certaindrowsiness, (187)that I may
so call it. Wherefore the messageofthe lastjudgment must sound as a
trumpet to cite us to appear before the judgment-seat of God. Forthen at last
being truly awaked, we begin to think of a new life. In like sort, when Paul
preachedat Athens, God saith, that he doth now will all men to repent;
because he hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world, (Acts
17:30.)The sum is this, that Christ, who is now unto us a Master, whenas he
teachethus by the gospel, is appointed of the Father to be a Judge, and shall
come in his due time; and that, therefore, we must obey his doctrine betimes,
that we may gather the fruit of our faith then.
But some man may object, that Peterspeakethotherwise ofthe last day. For
this doth not serve to make them afraid, when he saith, the time of refreshing.
I answer, that there is a double prick, wherewith the faithful are pricked
forward when as they are told of the lastjudgment. For the profit of faith
doth not appearin this world, yea rather it seemethto go well with the
despisers of God; but the life of the godly is full of miseries. Therefore our
hearts should oftentimes faint and quail, unless we should remember that the
day of rest shall come, which shall quench all the heat of our trouble, and
make an end of our miseries. The other prick whereofI spoke is this, when as
the fearful judgment of God causethus to shake off delicacyand drowsiness.
So Peter mixeth in this place threatenings with promises, partly to the end he
may allure the Jews unto Christ, and partly that he may prick them forward
with fear. Furthermore, this is a thing much used in the Scripture, as it
speaketheither unto the reprobate, or unto the elect, sometimes to make the
day of the Lord doleful and fearful, sometimes to make the same pleasantand
to be wishedfor. Peter therefore doth very well, who, whilst that he putteth
the Jews in goodhope of pardon, doth make the day of Christ pleasantto
them, to the end they may desire the same.
And shall send him. He saith expresslythat Christ shall be Judge, to the end
they may know that the contempt of the gospelshallnot be unpunished. For
how should not Christ punish the same? In the meanwhile, this doth greatly
comfort the faithful, when as they know that it shall be in his hand to give
salvation, who doth now promise and offer the same. He addeth, moreover,

that he shall come who is now preached unto them. Whereby he taketh away
all excuse of ignorance. As if he should say, Christ is preachedunto you now
before he come to judge the world; to the end that those who will embrace him
may receive the fruit of their faith at that day; and to the end that others, who
shall refuse him, may be punished for their unbelief. Although the Grecians
do read this two ways;for some books (188)have προκεκηρυγμενον, thatis,
preachedbefore; and other some προκεχειρισμενον, that is, showed, or set
before their eyes. But both have one sense, to wit, that Christ is not offered
unto them in vain now by the doctrine of the gospel;because he shall be sent
the secondtime by his Father to be a Judge, armed and prepared to render
vengeance, unless they embrace him now for their Redeemer.
Scofield's ReferenceNotes
And he shall
The appealhere is national to the Jewishpeople as such, not individuals as in
Peter's first sermon Acts 2:38; Acts 2:39. There those who were pricked in
heart were exhorted to save themselves from (among) the untoward nation;
here the whole people is addressed, and the promise to national repentance is
national deliverance:"and he shall send Jesus Christ" to bring in the times
which the prophets had foretold
(See Scofield"Acts 2:14"). The official answerwas the imprisonment of the
apostles, andthe inhibition to preach, so fulfilling Luke 19:14.
John Trapp Complete Commentary

20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preachedunto you:
Ver. 20. Preachedunto you] Or handed to you, or put into your hands,
προκεχειρισμενον.
Expository Notes with PracticalObservations onthe New Testament
Here St. Peterenforces his exhortation to repentance with a strong motive;
namely, the certainty of Christ's coming to judge the world. God shall send
Jesus, this Jesus whomwe preachto you, visibly, to justify and glorify all
penitentt and pardoned sinners, whom yet the heaven must contain till the
restitution of all things; that is, to the end of the world, when the whole
creationwhich now groaneth will be delivered, and man particularly restored
to God, to himself, and to a blessedimmortality.
Learn hence, That Christ, being ascendedinto heaven in our human nature,
shall abide and continue there until the restitution of all things, and his
corporalpresence here on earth is not to be expected, until he has put all his
enemies under his feet. Now if his body be, and must continue in heaven,
surely then it is not in the sacrament, and the Papist's dream; who ascribe to
Christ's human nature the property of a Godhead; namely, to be in ten
thousand places at one and the same time, contrary to the nature of a human
body. If the heavens must containChrist, Christ must be containedin heaven,
and then his presence in the sacramentdoth not draw him from heaven;his
bodily presence is in heaven, his spiritual presence with his people in the
sacrament.
Greek TestamentCriticalExegeticalCommentary
20.]ἀποστείλῃ (see above), literally,—not figuratively, by the Spirit:—even if
the word send be no where else applied to the secondcoming of the Lord,

there is no reasonwhy it should not be here: the whole ground and standing-
point of these two orations of Peterare peculiar, and the very mention of the
‘times of refreshment’ proceeding forth from the presence ofthe Father
would naturally lead to the position here assignedto the Son, as one sent by
the Father. See below, on Acts 3:26. Besides which, the aor. will not allow of
the figurative interpretation, confining, as it does, the ‘sending’ to one definite
event.
προκεχειρισμένον]before appointed, as apparently in the first ref.: or perhaps
προ- merely gives the idea of forth, before the rest, as in the two others, and
perhaps even in the first also. ὑμῖν, to you,—as your Messiah. According to
the right reading, χριστ. ἰησοῦν, χριστόν may be connectedwith τὸν προκεχ.
ὑμ., Him who was predestined your Messiah, namely, Jesus.
Heinrich Meyer's Critical and ExegeticalCommentaryon the New Testament
Acts 3:20. The final aim of the preceding exhortation. In order that times of
refreshiny may come. Peterconceivesthat the καιροὶ ἀναψύξεως and the
Parousia ( καὶ ἀποστείλῃ κ. τ. λ.) will set in, as soonas the Jewishnation is
convertedto the acknowledgmentofJesus as the Messiah. It required a
further revelationto teachhim that the Gentiles also were to be converted—
and that directly, and not by the way of proselytism—to Christ (chap.10).
ὅπως ἄν, with the subjunctive (Acts 15:17;Luke 2:35; Romans 3:4; Matthew
6:5), denotes the purpose that is to be attained in dependence on a supposition
(here: in this event; if ye comply with the summons). See Hartung, Partikell.
II. p. 289;Klotz, ad Devar. p. 685 f. This ἄν, consequently, is not equivalent to
ἐάν (Vulg.: ut cum venerint), in which case an apodosis whichwould be
wanting is arbitrarily supplied in thought (see Erasmus and, recently, Beelen).
Others (Beza, Castalio, Erasmus Schmid, Eckermann, et al.) considerὅπως as
a particle of time = ὅτε: quandocunque venerint. Against this it may be
decisivelyurged, in point of linguistic usage, that in Greek writers (in Herod,
and the poets) the temporal ὅπως is joined with the indicative or optative, but
does not occurat all in the N. T.; and, in point of fact, the remission of sins

takes place not for the first time at the Parousia, but at once on the acceptance
of the gospel.
καιροὶ ἀναψύξ.]seasons ofrefreshing: namely, the Messianic,as is self-evident
and is clearfrom what follows. It is substantially the same as is meant in Luke
2:25 by παράκλησις τοῦ ἰσραήλ,—namely, seasonsin which, through the
appearance ofthe Messiahin His kingdom, there shall occurblessedrest and
refreshment for the people of God, after the expiration of the troublous
seasonsofthe αἰὼνοὗτος (2 Timothy 3:1; Galatians 1:4; Acts 14:22).(145)The
αἰῶνες οἱ ἐπερχόμενοι in chap. Acts 2:7 are not different from these future
καιροί. This explanation is shown to be clearly right by the fact that Peter
himself immediately adds, as explanatory of καιροὶ ἀναψύξ.:καὶ ἀποστείλῃ
τὸν προκεχειρ. ὑμῖν ἰησ. χ., which points to the Parousia. Others rationalizing
have, at variance with the text, explained the καιροὶ ἀναψ. either of the time
of rest after death (Schulz in the Bibl. Hag. 5. p. 119 ff.), or of deliverance
from the yoke of the ceremoniallaw (Kraft, Obss. sacr. Fasc.IX. p. 271 ff.), or
of the putting off of penal judgment on the Jews (Barkey), orof the sparing of
the Christians amidst the destruction of the Jews (Grotius, Hammond,
Lightfoot), or of the glorious condition of the Christian church before the end
of the world (Vitringa). On ἀνάψυξις, comp. LXX. Exodus 8:15; Aq. Isaiah
28:12;Strabo, x. p. 459.
ἀπὸ προσώπου τοῦ κυρίου]The times, which are to appear, are rhetorically
representedas something real, which is to be found with God in heaven, and
comes thence, from the face of God, to earth. Thus God is designatedas αἴτιος
of the times of refreshing (Chrysostom).
τὸν προκεχ. ὑμῖν ἰ. χ.] Jesus the Messiahdestinedfor you (for your nation). On
προχειρίζομαι (Acts 22:14, Acts 26:16), properly, I take in hand; then, I
undertake, I determine, and with the accusative ofthe person: I, appoint one.
Comp. 2 Maccabees3:7; 2 Maccabees8:9;Polyb. vi. 58. 3; Plut. Galb. 8; Diod.
Sic. xii. 22; Wetsteinand Kypke in loc.;Schleusn. Thes. iv. p. 513. Analogous
is ὁ τοῦ θεοῦ ἐκλεκτός, Luke 23:35.
Johann Albrecht Bengel's Gnomonof the New Testament

Acts 3:20. ἀποστέιλη, that He may send) “Sent,” in Acts 3:26 : and yet the
expressionhere, is not “sendback,” or “again,” but simply “send:” comp.
Acts 1:1, note.— προκεχειρισμένον)Hardly anywhere is the reading
προκεκηρυγμένονto be found. Peterdoes not here preachbeforehand Christ,
but declares thatHe is already “prepared.” The same verb occurs, ch. Acts
22:14, Acts 26:16;Exodus 4:13; Joshua 3:12. Comp. Luke 2:31. He is
prepared, that He may be receivedby us, (and) that He may be sent by God.
Hesychius, προκεχειρισμένον, προβεβλημένον, ἡτοιμασμένον;for so we ought
to read, for ἠτιμασμένον.
Matthew Poole's EnglishAnnotations on the Holy Bible
To remove all evils and miseries from his people; when that Sun shines all
clouds and mists are scattered. This refers especiallyto Christ’s second
coming, which is here promised, to encourage us to do good, and to deter us
from doing evil; as also to move us to repentance, and to comfort us when
penitent.
Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament
Which before was preached;proclaimed in the Old Testamentscriptures, and
afterwards more plainly made known by himself and his disciples. But
another reading of the original is, "which was before ordained for you";
namely, to come as your Messiah, suffer, and be glorified. Compare chap Acts
2:23; 1 Peter1:20.
Cambridge Greek Testamentfor Schools andColleges
20. καὶ ἀποστείλῃ. The constructionis continued from ὅπως ἄν in the previous
verse. Render, and that He may send.
προκεχειρισμένον, the Christ which was appointed for you, even Jesus. This
reading and sense agreewith the proof which St Peter presently cites (Acts

3:25), ‘Ye are the children of the covenant which God made with our fathers.’
The Christ, the Messiahhadbeen appointed and promised unto the Jewish
nation, and now the promise of the covenantis fulfilled in Jesus.
William Godbey's Commentary on the New Testament
RETURN OF CHRIST
20. The E. V. erroneously has a semicolonbetweenthe 19th and 20th verses.
The inspired original, spokenby Peterand written by Luke, has no stop
whateverbetweenthese verses. Then what will our brethren do who are
unwilling to preachthe secondcoming of Christ, as there is not even a comma
here, much less a period, on which they may slide out? Inspired Peter
preaches the glorious spiritual economyof full salvationand the second
coming of Christ in the very same breath. Hence, if you preachthe former
and leave out the latter, you will certainly grieve the Holy Spirit by breaking
one of His sentencesin two in the middle without His authority. GoodLord,
help us to be true to His Word and not get wise above what is written: “And
he may send forth unto you him who has been preached unto you as the
Messiah, namelyJesus,”
Whedon's Commentary on the Bible
20. And he shall send—In order that he may send.
Before was preached—Itis generallyagreednow that the true reading here is,
which was chosenor appointed. The same Greek word occurs in Acts 22:14,
“Hath chosenthee, that thou shouldest know his will,” and Acts 26:16, “To
make (or choose)thee a minister.” The verse should read: And (in order that)
he may send the chosenJesus Messiahunto you. The unto you depends upon
send.
Schaff's Popular Commentary on the New Testament

Acts 3:20. And he shall send Jesus Christ. See above, the note on the ‘times of
refreshing,’ with which period this SecondAdvent of the Lord must be
consideredas contemporaneous.
The Expositor's Greek Testament
Acts 3:20. καὶ ἀποστείλῃ, i.e., at His Parousia. The constructionis still ὅπως
ἄν with the verb. ἀποστ. is here used as in Luke 4:18; Luke 4:43, expressing
that the person sent is the envoy or representative of the sender( πέμπω is
also used of the missionof our Lord).— τὸν προκεκηρυγμένον, T.R.,see on
Acts 3:18; but W.H(146), Blass, Weiss, τὸνπροκεχειρισμένονὑμῖνχριστόν,
ἰησοῦν: “the Christ who hath been appointed for you, even Jesus”. So R.V.
This verb is found with accusative ofthe personin the sense of choosing,
appointing, in Acts 22:14;Acts 26:16, and nowhere else in the N.T.; cf. Joshua
3:12, 2 Maccabees 3:7;2 Maccabees8:9, Exodus 6:13 (cf. its use also in Dem.,
Polyb., Plut., and instances in Wetstein); Latin eligere, destinare. The
expressionhere refers not only to the fact that Jesus was the appointed Christ,
inasmuch as the covenant with Abraham was fulfilled in Him, Acts 3:25, but
also to the return of Jesus as the Christ, the Messianic King, at His Parousia,
in accordancewith the voices ofthe Prophets. This is more natural than to
suppose that the expressionmeans foreordained, i.e., from eternity, although
St. Peter’s words elsewhere maywell be consideredin connectionwith the
present passage, 1 Peter1:20.
George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary
The times of refreshment. The time of eternal restand happiness, &c. ---
These words, you may be saved, must be understood, to make the sense
complete. (Witham)
Mark Dunagan Commentary on the Bible
Acts 3:20 and that he may send the Christ who hath been appointed for you,
{even} Jesus:

"AND THAT"-Here is another incentive for repentance. Jesus is coming
again!() While they mistreated Him the first time, they can be in a position to
receive Him properly the secondtime, i.e. to be a Christian.
Point to Note:
The coming of Christ won"t depend upon them becoming Christians, for
Jesus will come, regardless ifanyone choosesto repent (2 Peter3:9-10). And
neither does Jesus needany "favorable" conditions to happen before He
returns (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3;2 Thessalonians1:8-9).
"APPOINTEDFOR YOU"-i.e. designatedLord and Christ (Acts 2:36). Jesus
is the only "appointed" Savior(Acts 4:12), He is coming again, but He will
only save those who are already saved at that time (Hebrews 9:28).
E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes
send. Greek. apostello. App-174.
Jesus Christ = Christ Jesus. App-98.
before was preached. Greek. prokerusso.Compare App-121. Only here, and
in Acts 13:24. But the texts read procheirizomai, to choose orappoint before,
as in Acts 22:14; Acts 26:16.
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged
And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preachedunto you:
And he shall send Jesus Christ , [ kai (Greek #2532)aposteilee(Greek #649)] -
rather, 'And that He may send Jesus Christ' [the verb being under the
influence of hopoos (Greek #3704)an(Greek #302)ofthe previous verse],
Which before was preachedunto you , [ ton (Greek #3588)
prokekeerugmenon(Greek #4296)humin (Greek #5213)IeesounChriston].
This reading has hardly any support, (only a few cursive manuscripts.) The
true reading, as all the bestand most ancient manuscripts ('Aleph (') A B C D
E and a host of others, with Chrysostom, though the Vulgate and Origen have

the receivedreading), and all criticaleditors agree, is, 'He shall send you the
foreordained' or 'predestined Messiah, Jesus'[ton pokecheirismenonhumin
Christon Ieesoun].
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
(20) And he shall send Jesus Christ.—Better, as before, and that He may send.
Which before was preachedunto you.—The better MSS. have, which was
fore-appointed, or fore-ordained, for you.
END OF STUDYLIGHT RESOURCES
The "Times of Refreshing" ofActs 3:19
W. E. Howell
By W. E. HOWELL, Washington, D.C.
Listen
The remarkable passagein Peter's sermonrecorded in Acts 3:19, 20, is
worthy of care-ful study. It is often used in our teaching to help locate the time
when our sins will be blotted out of the books in heaven. For this important
reasonwe should know well what this scripture really says.
The passageoccurs inthe appeal made by Peterto the people for repentance
and conver-sion, on the occasionwhen the lame man was healed at the temple
gate. The incentive given for repentance is that your sins may be blotted out."
The original here reads literally, "Repent and be convertedunto the blotting
out of your sins." The language itself does not give the impression that the
blotting out of sins immediately follows repentance and con-version, but

rather that it is conditioned on repentance, and that it is something to look
forward to as an ultimate fruit of repentance.
The next clause reads in the Authorized Ver-sion, "whenthe times of
refreshing shall come;" in the RevisedVersion, "that so there may come
seasonsofrefreshing." Which ren-dering is more accurate turns on the force
of the conjunction hopoos, which introduces the clause, and on that of the
subjunctive form of the verb that follows. Doeshopoos signifytime or
purpose? We may learn its force best by two means,—the significance and
definition of the word itself, and its use throughout the New Testament,
particularly in Luke.
As to the word itself, grammarians will readily recognize hopoos as
compounded of ho (which) and poos (somehow), thus forming with the
subjunctive a relative clause ofpur-pose, but in practicaluse developing into a
conjunction denoting purpose. Grammaticaland lexical authorities give
hopoos uniformly a purpose or sequentialforce—to the end that —when used
with the subjunctive.
The use and rendering of hopoos throughout the New Testamentis briefly
indicated as follows:
46 times rendered "that" or "so that" in a clause ofpurpose.
4 times rendered "to" in an infinitive de-noting purpose.
4 times rendered "how" in a final clause, in three of which the sense is
retained If rendered "in order that."
1 time rendered "because"in a final clause in which purpose is clearly
indicated. 1 time rendered "when," in Acts 3:20.
In all these 56 instances hopoos is followedby the subjunctive form of the
verb, with the single exception of Luke 24:20, where the in-dicative is used
and hopoos rendered "how." In four of these instances, andin Acts 3:20 in
particular, hopoos is accompaniedby "an," a particle tending to emphasize
the force of the subjunctive, that is, to express a purpose or end desired or
expected, but not yet fulfilled.

Another important point should be noted here, in the use of hopoos. It
introduces two clauses, both in the subjunctive form: so that times of
refreshing may come, and (so that) He may send Jesus. Here is a double result
lookedforward to as an accompanimentand sequence to the blotting out of
sins,—a refresh-ing, or revival, and the coming of Jesus, the one as much as
the other.
Meaning of Refreshing
In the light of these considerations, the pas-sage maybe rendered thus:
"Repentand be converted unto the blotting out of your sins, so that seasons of
refreshing may come, and (so that) He may send Jesus."
How, then, shall we understand and apply the meaning of this remarkable
sentence, cover-ing, as it does, three events: (1) Repentance ofa kind and
degree that results in the blotting out of sins; (2) seasons ofrefreshing; and (3)
the coming of Jesus?ThatPeteris here refer-ring to the secondcoming of
Jesus is made clearin verse 21, where he says the work of Jesus is in heaven
"until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken. . . since
the world began." The time of restitution is the time of His secondcoming. To
clearthe wayfor that coming, two things closelyrelated must take place,—the
blotting out of sins and seasonsofrefreshing. Back ofthese lies the
fundamental necessityof repentance and con-version.
The word "refreshing" is of much interest. It is not used elsewhere in the New
Testamentexceptin its verb form by Paul in writing to Timothy that
Onesiphorus had "oft refreshed" him. Its literal meaning is renewing, or
re-viving, or restoring, in spirit. Repentance and conversionalways bring
refreshing or re-viving of spirit as an immediate result.
Like other blessings of the gospel, however, there are specialseasons whenthe
Holy Spirit ministers grace more abundantly. Such a sea-sonis assuredus in
the Scriptures at the time of "the latter rain" of spiritual refreshment, in a
fullness comparable to and surpassing "the former rain" at Pentecost. Such
an outpouring of the Spirit on the people of God on earth is timed to
correspondto the final work of blot-ting out of sins in the heavenly court, but
the refreshment does not reach its climax till it culminates in the joy that

comes when the fiat goes forth at the close ofthe investigative judgment, "He
that is holy, let him be holy still," and the shout pierces the skies, "Lo, this is
our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us...we will be glad and
rejoice in His salvation."
Peter, in his sermon, has just experienced the greatrefreshing of the former,
or early, rain, and under the influence of the Spirit his mind is carried
forward to the still greaterrefreshmentof the latter rain and the second
coming of Jesus. He exhorts his hearers to repent unto the blotting out of their
sins, that seasonsofrefreshing may come, that He may send Jesus. This
threefold sequel to repent-ance represents three events that are closelyand
inseparably tied togetherjust before the fruits of repentance are gatheredinto
the king-dom. They bring the culmination of the plan of salvationand the
culminating refreshment of everlasting joy upon the heads of God's people.
In studying a general, unqualified phrase like "times of refreshing," it should
be borne in mind that it is applicable in principle to any time when the
conditions are met (repent-ance and conversionin this instance), but that its
supreme application should be made when the experience it represents
reaches its culmination (in this instance the blotting out of sins and the coming
of Jesus).
The Time Idea
The question will naturally arise, Would it do any violence to the meaning of
verses 19 and 20 to throw the time idea into the last two clauses?The answer
may be given that while the technicalconstruction of the passage does not
allow these two clauses to be construed as temporal, yet there could hardly be
any conflict with the strict meaning of the clauses. If the time idea were
admitted, provided the time idea is carriedthrough both clauses. This would
apply it alike to the refreshing and the coming of Jesus as occurring in
connectionwith and subsequentto the blotting out of sins. It would then read:
"Repentand be converted unto the blotting out of your sins, when the times of
refreshing come and when He sends Jesus."
In this connectionit should be noted that the clause, "thatyour sins may be
blotted out," as translatedin the Authorized Version, does not representa

clause of pure purpose in the original, but a prepositionalphrase "unto the
blotting out of your sins," or, a little more freely, "looking towardor
extending to the blotting out of your sins." This would appear, then, to state
the main proposition in the sen-tence, the main incentive to repentance. The
two clauses ofpure purpose that follow, would, on the other hand, appearto
connectback in thought with "repent," as the latter constitutes the real
appeal of the preacher on that occa-sion, while the two purpose clauses point
for-ward to the ultimate fruits of repentance,—the specialseasonofspiritual
refreshing and that still more refreshing event, the coming of Jesus.
The passagemight therefore be more freely paraphrasedas follows:
"Repentand be converted, looking forward to the blotting out of your sins,
for in the time of blotting out your sins because ofrepentance there will come
seasonsofrefreshing and God will send Jesus again."
Spirit of ProphecyTestimony
Consistentwith the teaching of this scrip-ture are various applications and
comments basedon this passagein the Spirit of prophecy.
In "Early Writings," page 71, the time of "refreshing" is applied to the "latter
rain," in preparation to stand in the day of the Lord.
On page 86, "latterrain" and "refreshing from the presence ofthe Lord," are
used synonymously, as giving power to the loud voice of the third angel.
On page 271, the words of the angelare quoted, making identical and
simultaneous "the latter rain, the refreshing from the pres-ence of the Lord,
the loud cry of the third angel." (See also "Testimonies," Vol. I, p. 183.)
A statement in "The GreatControversy," page 485, indicates that the blotting
out of sins takes place in the times of refreshing, and on page 611 that the
blotting out of sins in the investigative judgment takes place in the times of
refreshing
There is an inseparable relationship betweenrepentance, the blotting out of
sins, the investi-gative judgment, the times of refreshing. and the coming of
Jesus. The times of refreshing begin at repentance and culminate in the

com-ing of Jesus. But as really as the Holy Spirit is bestowedatall times when
the heart is open to receive it, yet came in unusual measure at Pentecost, so
the refreshing that comes at all times on repentance, is to come in a special
sense atthe culmination of Christ's work of ministry in heaven. As the former
outpouring of the Spirit constituted the "early rain," calledPentecost, so the
latter outpouring of the Spirit constitutes the "latterrain," other-wise called
"times of refreshing," just prior to and in connectionwith the coming of
Jesus. Who could think of a greatercause forspirit-ual refreshing and
spiritual elation, than the blotting out of sins forever, unless it be the coming
of Jesus itself? Verily the two things go togetherand usher in the glorious
coming of our Lord.
https://www.ministrymagazine.org/archive/1937/05/the-times-of-refreshing-
of-acts-319
We see the idea of refreshment in the presence ofthe Lord is in both verse 19
and verse 20.
ACTS 3:19 New International Version
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times
of refreshing may come from the Lord,
New American Standard Bible
"Therefore repentand return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order
that times of refreshing may come from the presence ofthe Lord;
New King James Version
Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that
times of refreshing may come from the presence ofthe Lord,

"THE BOOK OF ACTS"
The Times Of Refreshing (3:19)
INTRODUCTION
1. As Peterpreached his secondgospelsermon...
a. He called on his audience to repent and be converted - Ac 3:19
b. He promised that their sins would be blotted out - ibid.
2. He also promised that "times of refreshing" will come from the
presence ofthe Lord...
a. What are "the times of refreshing"?
b. Is it something to experience now, or in the future?
[The word refreshing occurs only once in the New Testament, making it
difficult to ascertainthe precise meaning of the word (Kistemaker). But
let us consider...]
I. THREE POSSIBLE EXPLANATIONS
A. THE SECOND COMINGOF CHRIST...
1. Some connect"the times of refreshing" with "the times of

restoration" - cf. Ac 3:19,21
2. Blessingsaccompanying the return of Christ:
a. "the future times of refreshing when Jesus returns" - C.E.
Arnold (ZIBBC)
b. "likelysynonymous with the conceptof "restoration" in v.
21" - J.B. Polhill (NAC)
B. THE BLESSINGS OF SALVATION...
1. Some view it as generalblessings accompanying salvationin
Christ
2. A foretaste ofwhat is to come:
a. "a kind of advance anticipation of the full and final
'refreshment'" - N.T. Wright (AE)
b. "periodic seasonsin which the forgiven and restored
believer experiences the refreshing nearness of the Lord"
- S.J. Kistemaker(BNTC)
c. "features ofthe new age" -F.F. Bruce (NICNT)
C. THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT...
1. Others suggestthat it refers to "the gift of the Holy Spirit"
in Ac 2:38; compare:
a. Repent(2:38) = Repent (3:19)
b. Be baptized (2:38) = Be converted (3:19)

c. Forthe remissionof sins (2:38) = That your sins may be
blotted out (3:19)
d. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (2:38) = That times of
refreshing may come (3:19)
2. Refreshmentfrom the indwelling Holy Spirit in the life of the
Christ:
a. "The reference ofthese words is, doubtless, to the gift of
the Spirit; for they occupythe same place here that the gift
of the Spirit did in the former discourse". - J.W. McGarvey
(ACTS)
b. "In 2:38 the steps are, (1) Repentance, (2)baptism, (3)
remissionof sins, (4) the gift of the Holy Spirit. Here, the
order is (1) Repentance, (2)to turn, (3) the blotting out of
sins, (4) the seasons ofrefreshing. One passageaids in
interpreting the other." - B.W. Johnson(PNT)
c. "A comparisonwith Peter's promises in 2:38 suggests that
the Holy Spirit may be the one who brings this refreshment."
- D.G. Peterson(PNTC)
d. "people are 'refreshed' in their spirits when the Holy
Spirit comes to dwell within them." - ESV Study Bible
[All three explanations have merit. But I suggestPeterhad in mind the
gift of the Spirit, not only because ofsimilarities betweenAc 2:38 and

Ac 3:19, but because whatis revealedelsewhere about...]
II. THE REFRESHINGGIFT OF THE SPIRIT
A. THE METAPHOR OF WATER AND THE SPIRIT...
1. A blessing promised by God in Isaiah - Isa 44:3
a. "I will pour wateron him who is thirsty"
b. "I will pour My Spirit...and My blessing"
2. A blessing promised by Jesus in John - Jn 7:37-39
a. "If any one thirsts, let him come to Me and drink"
b. "Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water"
B. THE REFRESHINGNATURE OF THE SPIRIT...
1. God's love is poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit - Ro
5:5
2. Assistance in putting to death the deeds of the body - Ro
8:12-13
3. Endearment engenderedto God ("Abba, Father") - Ro 8:14-16;Ga
4:6
4. Righteousness,peace,and joy in the Holy Spirit - Ro 14:17
5. Abundance of hope by the powerof the Holy Spirit - Ro 15:13
6. Washing, sanctification, and justification by the Spirit - 1Co
6:11; Tit 3:4-7

7. A deposit (guarantee)of our inheritance - 2Co 1:21-22;5:5;
Ep 1:13-14
8. Strengthening with might the inner man - Ep 3:16,20
9. Producing the nine-fold fruit of the Spirit - Ga 5:22-23
C. THIS REFRESHMENTIS AVAILABLE, PROVIDED...
1. We do not grieve the Spirit - Ep 4:29-31;cf. 1Co 6:18-20;1Th
4:3-8
a. Through sinful conduct instead Christ-like conduct
b. Becauseourbodies are temples of the Holy Spirit
c. We have been called to holiness, and God has given us of
His Spirit
2. We do not quench the Spirit - 1Th 5:19-20;cf. Ep 6:17
a. By despising prophesies, i.e., the Word of God
b. Forthe Word of God is the sword of the Spirit
CONCLUSION
1. Exactly what "the times of refreshing" means might be uncertain...
a. Whether present or future, "refreshing times" are promised to
Christians
b. The Holy Spirit in particular qualifies as a refreshing gift for
the Christian!

2. In light of what the Spirit does for the Christian, how tragic it
would be...
a. If we were to quench the Spirit through sinful conduct and
neglect
b. When He is given to Christians in order to quench our spiritual
thirst!
If you desire to be "refreshed" with "living water", then believe,
repent, and be baptized that you might receive the promised gift of the
Holy Spirit (Jn 7:37-39;Ac 2:38-39;3:19)...!
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Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2012

Times of Refreshing 2016 – Acts 3:19-20
January 11, 2016 by pastorshine
4 comments
Points Covered: New Year Sermon. Refreshing in the Bible. How to receive
refreshing from the Lord? What happens when refreshing comes?
We have come to the final moments of 2015. If you canlook back and see
where God has brought you from and what he has done, you cannot keep
quiet but thank God. Let’s clap our hands and give thanks to the Lord for
2015. Give him a triumphant praise.
We are seeing this moment because Godwas in control this year. Yes, down to
the smallestdetails of our life had been guided by God. Some of you may be
sitting here with regrets but it is time to get overit and receive 2016 by faith.
You see, it is easyto step into the New Year with the experiences ofthe
previous year, focusedon what did not work out, on who hurt us, on the
mistakes we made. But as long as you are living in regrets, focusedonthe
failures of the past, it is going to keepyou from the bright future God has in
2016.
You gotto let go of what did not work out, let go the hurts and pains, let go of
your disappointments and your failures, take valuable lessons of2015 and
move forward to 2016. You cannot do anything about 2015 but you can do
something about 2016. You may have had an unfair past but let it not stop you
from a successful2016.
Every year that God gives to us is a gift and you have the responsibility to
receive that gift and maximize it. There is a blessing in every season. There is
a promise for every year and you got to receive it and maximize it in your life.

Theme for 2016 – Times of Refreshing!
Acts 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out,
that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.
Refreshmeans revive, revitalize, restoring, freshening.
1. Meaning of Biblical refreshing.
The Biblical theme of refreshing has a variety of physical and spiritual
meanings.
a. Rest.
In Scripture we read of refreshment by resting on the Sabbath. Exodus 23:12
Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox
and your donkey may rest and the slave born in your household, and the alien
as well, may be refreshed.
b. Cooldrink.
With coolwaterafter physical activity. Judges 15:18-19 18Because he was
very thirsty, he cried out to the Lord, “You have given your servant this great
victory. Must I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of the
uncircumcised?” 19ThenGodopened up the hollow place in Lehi, and water
came out of it. When Samsondrank, his strength returned and he revived.
When I was a small boy, I used to walk 3 km from schoolto my home. My
schoolleaves at3 pm and by then I would have exhausted my water. I had to
take 40-minute walk to my house. Sometimes I would be very tired finding it
difficult to keepeven a step. I remember, there used to be a public tap
somewhere in the middle of the route. I would wait to reachthere. There in
the shade of the tree I drink enoughwater, fill my bottle and then continued
refreshedto my home. It was a place where my thirst was quenched, a place
where my tiredness was replacedwith refreshing.
c. Music.
Heavenly, godly music or worship can revive us. 1 Samuel 16:23 Whenever
the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play.

Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would
leave him.
d. Holy Spirit.
In the NT we find refreshing given by the Holy Spirit.
Times of refreshing was promised by the prophets. Jeremiah 31:25 I will
refresh the weary and satisfy the faint. I do not know if at the end of this year
you are weary and faint. You have struggledenough. You have wandered
enough, you have gone through some dry patches, you have been waiting
enough, I know you have gone through a tough time, hold on times of
refreshing is coming.” If you believe that should a Hallelujah!
Today I want to concentrate onthe Holy Spirit refreshing. The book of Acts
starts off with Jesus’resurrection, appearanceto his disciples, and ascension
to heaven. All of a sudden they were left alone in the dark. They did not know
what to do. Jesus askedthem to stay in Jerusalem. In Acts 2, they were filled
with the Holy Spirit and a new seasonofrefreshing started in their lives. Peter
preachedand 3000 were savedin one message.
So when the refreshing of the Holy Spirit came, there was power, joy, and
growth. God is setting you for his power, growth and joy in 2016. Thenwe
find healing because ofthe refreshing.
In Acts 3, Peterand John saw a lame man begging at the gate of the temple.
They healed him in the name of Jesus Christ. The healed man goes into the
temple walking and leaping and praising God. The crowd is filled with
wonder and amazement. So Peterseizes the opportunity to preach his second
message. He told them about Jesus’life, death, and resurrection. He accused
them of putting Jesus to death. Then he said: Acts 3:19-20 19Repent, then,
and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing
may come from the Lord, 20and that he may send the Messiah, who has been
appointed for you—even Jesus.
In fact the times of refreshing has started when Jesus Christ came into this
world. He was moved by the Holy Spirit. He brought refreshing to the ones
who were with him. Now that Jesus has ascendedto the Father, He has sent

His Holy Spirit to send us the refreshing. This is exactlythe refreshing Peter
preachedin: Acts 2:37-38 37Whenthe people heard this, they were cut to the
heart and said to Peterand the other apostles, “Brothers, whatshall we do?”
38Peterreplied, “Repentand be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of
Jesus Christ for the forgiveness ofyour sins. And you will receive the gift of
the Holy Spirit.
You see, it is the Holy Spirit that brings refreshing. This refreshing is
available for everyone who believe in Jesus. So this is the seasonofrefreshing;
however, it comes to people only who are prepared for the refreshing.
2. How to receive Refreshing?
As much as God is willing to give us refreshing and renewal, we have a
responsibility. God expects us to position ourselves to receive the refreshing.
Do not waste 2016,if you can position yourself refreshing is coming, restis
coming, mercy is coming, joy is coming, your breakthroughis right around
the corner. So what do I do?
a. Repent.
When there is genuine repentance refreshing will come. Turning awayfrom
sin brings times of refreshing. Acts 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that
your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.
John the Baptist, Jesus, Peter, and Apostle Paul preached repentance. To
repent means more than to feel sorry for the bad things we’ve said or done.
The idea of repentance includes remorse, but also involves turning awayfrom
that which is offensive to God. It involves more than just an emotional
response. True repentance results in change.
This shows that repentance calls for action. When John the Baptistcame
preaching repentance, eventhe religious leaders were drawn to him and
wanted to hear what he had to say. John didn’t please them, but told them to
bear fruit that was worthy of repentance. In other words, be willing to change
the wayyou live, and God will give you his Spirit that brings refreshing.

Maybe there is something that God has told you to do, but you haven’t obeyed
him. There is a habit that you are struggling with, there is some pride and ego
that you need to deal with. If we will obey the Lord, we will find times of
refreshing in our lives.
People callsin a mistake. Sin is an infection that kills our soul, the only
antibiotic for sin is the blood of Jesus Christ. Sin is awful and only Jesus could
do something about it. Let’s repent and turn away from the sin we have
allowedinto our lives, and the times of refreshing will begin to flow into our
lives like coolrefreshing water.
Illustration: One little girl savedup her money for weeks andweeks. She
wanted to buy a pretty little plastic pearl necklaceshe had seendown at the
store. At last, she had enough money to buy the necklace. She was so excited!
Her Daddy took her down to the store so she could purchase the necklace of
her dreams. She brought it home and paraded around in it proudly. That
night, when her Daddy came in to kiss her goodnight, he askedher, “Selena,
can I have your necklace?” Little Selena lookedather Daddy with a frown
and said, “No, Daddy. It’s my necklace.” HerDaddy just smiled and kissed
her and said, “I love you, Sweetie. Goodnight.” The next night the same thing
happened. Her Daddy askedher if he could have her necklace, andher
response was the same:“No, Daddy. I savedand savedand bought this with
my ownmoney.” Daddy just kissedher and said, “I love you, Selena. Good
night.” On the third night, when her Daddy came in, Selena was sobbing, with
big alligatortears streaming down her face. She handed her necklaceto him
and said, “Daddy, you canhave it. I don’t need it anymore.” Her Daddy
smiled and knelt down beside her and pulled her close fora greatbig Daddy
hug. Then, he took her necklace andslipped it into his pocket. As he did, his
hand came out with a thin black box with a velvety cover. He openedit and
held it out to her. Her eyes gotas big as saucers as she saw a string of real
pearls shining back at her. “Oh Daddy,” she said. “Thank you, thank you! If I
had known, I would have given you my necklacethe first time you asked.”
Are you willing to let go of what seems so important to you? If you will, I can
assure you that God has something 1000 times more wonderful than what you
would be giving up.

In addition to turning awayfrom sin, we must also turn toward our heavenly
Father.
b. Turn to God.
Acts 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out,
that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. Turning to God Brings
Times of Refreshing. Godis telling not only to repent, but to do an absolute
turnaround to God for times of refreshing.
Malachi3:7 Return to me and I will return to you.
There are times that we may find ourselves walking far from God. If it has
happened in our life, it is because we have moved, not because Godhas left us.
If you ever find yourself feeling far from our Heavenly Father, remember,
that God is there with open arms to receive you back.
Hosea 14:1-2 1Return, Israel, to the Lord your God. Your sins have been your
downfall! 2Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to him: “Forgive
all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips.
So if you are feeling far from God right now; Let us examine our ways and
test them, and let us return to the Lord. For He loves you very much!
How can I run to God? How can I come back to my first love? How can I
position myself for refreshing?
b. Fellowship.
Come back to Godly fellowship. Romans 15:30-33 30Iurge you, brothers and
sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my
struggle by praying to Godfor me. 31Praythat I may be kept safe from the
unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalemmay be
favorably receivedby the Lord’s people there, 32so that I may come to you
with joy, by God’s will, and in your company be refreshed.33TheGodof
peace be with you all. Amen.
c. Helping others.

2 Timothy 1:16-18 16Maythe Lord show mercy to the householdof
Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my
chains. 17Onthe contrary, when he was in Rome, he searchedhard for me
until he found me. 18Maythe Lord grant that he will find mercy from the
Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in
Ephesus.
d. Give to God.
1 Corinthians 16:15-18 15Iurge you, brethren-you know the householdof
Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted
themselves to the ministry of the saints-16thatyou also submit to such, and to
everyone who works and labors with us. 17Iam glad about the coming of
Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they
supplied. 18Forthey refreshedmy spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge
such men.
d. Witnessing.
Philemon 1:4-7 4I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers,
5because Ihear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the
Lord Jesus. 6Ipray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective
in deepening your understanding of every goodthing we share for the sake of
Christ. 7Your love has given me greatjoy and encouragement, becauseyou,
brother, have refreshedthe hearts of the Lord’s people.
e. Ministry.
2 Corinthians 7:13 By all this we are encouraged. In addition to our own
encouragement, we were especiallydelighted to see how happy Titus was,
because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you.
III. What happens when refreshing comes?
If we canlook at what happened when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples
in Acts 2 we canget a picture of our lives when we are refreshedby God.
a. Powerand witness.

Acts 1:8 But you will receive powerwhen the Holy Spirit comes on you; and
you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to
the ends of the earth.
b. Growth.
Acts 2:41 Those who acceptedtheir message were baptized, and about three
thousand were added to their number that day.
Acts 2:47 The Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
c. Restoration.
Acts 3:21 Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore
everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.
d. Blessings.
Acts 3:25-26 25And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God
made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all
peoples on earth will be blessed.’26WhenGod raised up his servant, he sent
him first to you to bless you by turning eachof you from your wickedways.”
e. Boldness.
Boldness to do God’s mandate in our lives. Acts 4:13 When they saw the
courage ofPeterand John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary
men, they were astonishedand they took note that these men had been with
Jesus.
IV. Times of refreshing will be fully fulfilled in the secondcoming.
Acts 3:19-21 19Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped
out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20andthat he may send
the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.21Heavenmust
receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised
long ago through his holy prophets.
The apostle’s statementwas especiallymeaningful to the Jewishaudience with
its reference to the millennium when Messiahwouldrule. But the goodnews

of spiritual life would also be extended to the Gentiles (Acts 10). Even now as
believers we canexperience a time of refreshing by quieting our hearts in a
devotional time of prayer and Bible reading. When we spend time alone with
the Lord, we canexperience His peace and joy which renew us in spirit.
Aren’t you thankful for these daily times of spiritual refreshment?
A Prayer: Lord, I need my spirit refreshedand renewedtoday. Speak to me
through Your Word that I might hear Your heart, and help me to share my
heart with You in prayer. Amen.
Times of Refreshing and the RestorationofAll Things
Resource by John Piper
Scripture: Acts 3:17–21 Topic:Life of Worship
And now, brethren, I also know that you actedin ignorance, as did also your
rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ
should suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn again, that your
sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence
of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom
heaven must receive until the time for establishing all that God spoke by the
mouth of his holy prophets from of old.
In just few minutes we will hear the choir sing a composition called"Gloria"
by John Rutter. You cansee from your worship folders that the content of the
piece is mainly praise: it begins and ends with, "Gloryto God in the highest!"
Three Reasons forSinging, "Glory to God"

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