What are the times of refreshing and the time of restoring all things?

Answer:

"But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses. And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all. And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did also. But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time. Moses said, 'The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brethren; to him you shall give heed to everything He says to you. And it will be that every soul that does not heed that prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.' And likewise, all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and his successors onward, also announced these days" (Acts 3:14-24).

Peter is proving that the man the Jews killed was the Messiah. His first point was that despite their killing him, God raised him from the dead. Peter's claim is witnessed by John and himself. The man whom they had healed was restored to perfect health through faith in Jesus. Peter understands that the Jews had killed Jesus out of ignorance, but they had no excuse. God announced through His prophets that these things would happen. These leaders of the Jews needed to repent so "times of refreshing may come from the Lord."

Times of Refreshing

Regarding this phrase, Doy Moyer wrote:

"Generally, I conclude that the "presence of God" indicates God's walking in fellowship with His people. To think of the presence of God is to see His constant oversight, His care, and His willingness to be with the people. The Holy Spirit was the "angel of His presence." By comparing Acts 2:38 and Acts 3:19, a case can be made that the "gift of the Holy Spirit" is the restoration of God's presence. Sin results in losing His presence. Through the Spirit, God gives rest (Matthew 11:28) and restores this. These are "times of refreshing" that come from His presence. In the end, we will either continue in His presence or suffer the eternal destruction "away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power" (II Thessalonians 1:9-10)" ["Acts 2 and 3 and the Gift of the Holy Spirit"].

Before the birth of Christ, Simeon was waiting for the consolation of Israel (Luke 2:25), which he proclaimed came with Jesus.

The Period of Restoration of All Things

"And He answered and said, 'Elijah is coming and will restore all things; but I say to you that Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wished. So also the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands'" (Matthew 17:11-12).

Jesus said that John the Baptist was the prophesied Elijah and that he would restore all things. The actual prophecy said, "He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse" (Malachi 4:6). Thus, "all things" does not refer to anything you can imagine, but a restoration of people back to their God. John the Baptist started the process that continues to this day.

"And Jesus said to them, 'Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel'" (Matthew 19:28).

Jesus stated he would rule during the time of regeneration. "For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet" (Matthew 15:25). Since he is currently reigning, then we are in the period of regeneration. Notice that Christ remains in heaven until the restoration is completed (Acts 3:21). In Acts 3:24, Peter reiterates his point about the prophets, saying they announced "these days." The current Christian age is the period of restoration.