Who were the Israelites?

The term “Israelites” refers to the descendants of Jacob, whose name was changed by God to Israel (Hebrew: Yiśrā’ēl, meaning “he struggles with God” or “God prevails” – Genesis 32:28). In the New Testament Greek, the word is Ἰσραηλῖται (Israēlitai), denoting members of the nation of Israel, the people chosen by God through whom His covenantal promises would unfold.

In Acts 3, the term “Israelites” is used by Peter as he addresses the crowd gathered at Solomon’s Colonnade following the miraculous healing of a lame man. Peter speaks directly to the people of Israel (Acts 3:12), identifying them as the covenant people through whom God had worked and to whom He sent the Messiah, Jesus.

Biblical References and Context

The Israelites are mentioned throughout Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, as the people of God‘s promise:

• Genesis 12:1-3 – God‘s covenant with Abraham, the forefather of Israel.

• Exodus 1-14 – God delivers the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.

• Deuteronomy 7:6 – Israel is declared a chosen people.

• Acts 3:12-26 – Peter appeals to the “fellow Israelites,” calling them to repentance and faith in Jesus, the promised Messiah.

• Romans 9:4-5 – Paul enumerates the blessings given to Israel, including adoption, covenants, and the law.

In Acts 3, Peter affirms the continuity of God‘s work from Abraham to Jesus and presents Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel.

What Happened in the Bible

In Acts 3, after Peter and John heal a man lame from birth at the temple gate called Beautiful, the astonished crowd gathers. Peter seizes the opportunity to preach the gospel, addressing them as “fellow Israelites” (Acts 3:12). He recounts how God glorified Jesus, whom they handed over to be killed, yet God raised Him from the dead.

Peter explains that this miracle occurred not by their own power but through faith in Jesus’ name (Acts 3:16). He acknowledges that they acted in ignorance (v. 17) but points them to the fulfillment of prophecy—that the Messiah would suffer—and calls them to repentance (v. 19). Peter ties the message directly to God‘s covenant with Abraham (v. 25), affirming the Israelites’ place in redemptive history.

What It Means for Today’s Christians

The term “Israelites” reminds Christians that salvation history has roots in God‘s covenant with Israel. Peter’s sermon in Acts 3 serves as a model of gospel proclamation—connecting Old Testament promises to the New Testament fulfillment in Christ.

Christians today are reminded that:

• God is faithful to His promises (2 Corinthians 1:20).

• The gospel is first for the Jew, then for the Gentile (Romans 1:16).

• The blessings given to Israel find their fulfillment in Jesus, and by faith, Gentiles are grafted into the people of God (Romans 11:17-24).

While ethnic Israel had a unique role in redemptive history, the church now comprises both Jews and Gentiles who believe in Christ, forming the true Israel of God (Galatians 6:16).

How Their Story Points to Jesus and the Gospel

The Israelites were the nation through whom the Messiah would come. God‘s promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob pointed toward a Savior who would bless all nations (Genesis 12:3; Galatians 3:8). In Peter’s speech, he clearly identifies Jesus as the “Holy and Righteous One” and the “author of life” (Acts 3:14-15), whom God sent first to the Israelites to bless them by turning them from their wicked ways (Acts 3:26).

Their rejection of Jesus, though grievous, was part of God’s sovereign plan (Acts 2:23; Acts 3:18). Yet, the door to repentance remains open through Christ.

Broader Biblical Themes

Covenant and Promise

The Israelites are the recipients of God’s covenant promises. Through them, God revealed His law, His presence, and ultimately, His Son.

God’s Sovereignty and Grace

Despite Israel’s repeated failures, God preserved them and brought forth the Messiah. His plan cannot be thwarted by human sin.

Fulfillment in Christ

Jesus is the culmination of all the promises made to Israel. He is the Seed of Abraham (Galatians 3:16), the Prophet like Moses (Acts 3:22), and the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53).

Gospel to the Nations

Acts 3 is a turning point—Peter’s message to the Israelites paves the way for the gospel to go out from Jerusalem to all nations, fulfilling Acts 1:8.

Reflection Questions

1. How does Peter’s message to the Israelites in Acts 3 shape your understanding of the gospel’s Old Testament foundation?

2. What does the faithfulness of God to Israel teach us about His character and His promises today?

3. In what ways are you responding to the call to repentance and faith, just as Peter called the Israelites to do?

4. How can knowing the history of the Israelites enrich your reading of both the Old and New Testaments?

5. Do you see Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s promises across Scripture—from Abraham to the early church?

The Israelites were a chosen people, but their significance is not merely historical. They are the thread through which the gospel was woven. Their story is our story—one of grace, promise, redemption, and the unchanging faithfulness of God through Jesus Christ.