Unto you first God, having raised up his Servant, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.

'UNTO YOU FIRST'-Seeing that the Jewish people had been the chosen people, they were given the first opportunity to respond to the gospel message (Acts 13:46; Romans 1:16).

'RAISED UP HIS SERVANT'-Here "raised up" doesn't refer to the resurrection, rather, it refers to Jesus coming to this earth in the first place. Compare this verse with what Moses had said, 'A prophet shall the Lord God raise up unto you from among your brethren..' (Acts 3:22).

'SENT HIM TO BLESS YOU'-Jesus came to die for our sins (Luke 19:10).

'IN TURNING AWAY EVERY ONE OF YOUR FROM YOUR INIQUITIES'-'By His preaching, example, death, and glorification. Christ would make provision for men to turn from their iniquities.' (Reese p. 170) (Galatians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 5:14)

Points to Note:

This last line implies: (a) They were presently lost in sin. (b) Grace isn't an excuse to sin. Those who become Christians are expected to "turn away from" what is wrong.

'They had not paid heed to Him at first when God sent Him; let them pay heed now, when God in His pardoning grace gave them. fresh opportunity; else they would forfeit the covenanted blessing.' (Bruce p. 94)

We again learn that God's promises are conditional. Only those who turn from their sins and obey the teachings of Jesus Christ (including baptism), will be blessed (Galatians 3:26).

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Old Testament