Download Ye denied the Holy One
Acts 3:14-15 “But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.”
This is what we would call the direct approach. Peter didn’t seem to have difficulty getting to the heart of the matter. These were, perhaps, some of the very people that shouted for the unjust execution of Jesus and implored Pilate to give them Barabbas.
The first thing any person needs to understand before they can be saved is that they are a sinner. If, when confronted with the facts of the crucifixion, these people could have denied their sinfulness, nothing may have convinced them.
In modern culture we often shy away from direct confrontation with truth. Sermons like this one may have been called “unloving” or “mean-spirited”. But the reverse could be true. A man that is lacking love hesitates to speak, but a kind man gets quickly and directly to the point. We may be surprised to find that people sometimes respond well to clarity.
I wonder if beating around the bush would have resulted in five thousand converts?
Acts 3:14-15 “But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.”