No Other Name

Acts 4:5-12

When we have good news to tell others, we might think that we would be well received.  Particularly if our good news was accompanied by having done something good, something to help someone else.  Unfortunately that is not always the case, especially if that good news is the message of Jesus. The apostles found that out very quickly, as we read in our passage from the Book of Acts today.

Shortly after the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the believers on the day of Pentecost, we read in Acts 3 that Peter and John were by the Temple.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit they healed a man crippled from birth. Many people gathered around as a result of this miracle, and the two apostles proceeded to share the message of Jesus with them.  As soon as word of this reached the Jewish religious leaders, they quickly came and arrested Peter and John.

As our passage today begins, it is the next day, and the two apostles are being brought before the religious leaders and council, a group of very powerful men, for a hearing as to what had happened (vs. 5-6). These leaders were the same men who had “tried” Jesus and put Him to death. They were disturbed by what the apostles were saying and teaching. Their teachings threatened their authority as religious leaders. It did not please the high priest and his family that the man (Jesus) they thought they had sacrificed for the good of the nation (John 11:49-51) had followers who were just as persistent and troublesome. And now they were saying this Jesus was alive again, and they were performing miracles just as He had done!

These religious leaders were more interested in their reputation and position then they were in God.  Peter spoke boldly to them (vs. 8-12). He went on the offensive rather than being in a defensive position.

In verse 11 Peter quotes Psalm 118:22, which Jesus had also quoted to the people in Matthew 21:42.  The Jewish people for the most part, had rejected Jesus, but God has made Him the capstone of the church.

The key verse in this passage and in the message that Peter and John gave to the Jewish leaders is verse 12, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” There are two religious paths (Matthew 7:13-14). The first is the broad way of works salvation. That leads to eternal death. The other, the narrow way, is faith in Jesus. That leads to eternal life.

This is also a specific teaching of Jesus, as He said in John 14:6 that “I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.” We cannot be open minded on how and through whom we are saved from sin. No other religious teacher could die for our sins. No other religious teacher came to earth as God’s only Son.  No other religious teacher rose from the dead. No other religion, religious leader, or philosophy will get anyone to heaven except the Lord Jesus Christ.  There is no other name or way.

God only provided one way of escape in the days of Noah, and that was by getting on the ark.  He has provided only one Name to turn to for salvation, and that is the Name of His only Son, Jesus Christ. The apostle John tells us in I John 5:12 that if you do not have God’s Son, Jesus, as your Savior, you do not have eternal life.  It’s that simple.

Many people don’t like to hear this.  They say it’s politically incorrect, that it’s exclusive and offensive.  By proclaiming this message we could lose friends, and in some countries even your freedom or life.  Jesus said that the world would hate us for this (John 15:18). However, the message remains the same. Salvation is found in no other Name.