Jesus Christ Is Our Only Road To Salvation

Acts 4:1-21

Sometimes it is possible to tell where someone has been, just by one look, or perhaps even by the smell.  Workers in coal mines would often come back home with the black coal dust on their faces and clothes. 19th century chimney sweeps would be covered in soot.  Coming back from a swimming pool, one might smell a bit like the chlorinated water. Working in a perfume factory, one might bring that scent with them, and get too close to a skunk and you certainly will!  Can anyone tell that we have been with Jesus? In our Scripture selection today from the Book of Acts, we read how the enemies of the Gospel knew that Peter and John had been with Jesus, it was so evident in their character and words.

Right prior to the start of our passage, Peter and John had just performed a miracle in the Name of Jesus, by healing a crippled man.  Peter followed up the healing with a message about salvation in Jesus Christ (Acts 3). This angered the Jewish religious leaders, including the high priest and elders.  They greatly objected to the apostles talking to the people about the resurrection of Jesus (vs. 1-7). They had executed Jesus as a blasphemer, and they didn’t want the apostles telling people that He had risen as He said He would.  A few short weeks earlier these disciples had fled when these same authorities had come and arrested Jesus. They had hid in fear when they crucified Him. Now they boldly stood before these religious leaders and proclaimed the Name of Jesus (vs. 8-12).  The Holy Spirit gave Peter power to preach the Gospel to the very men who had condemned Jesus to death.

In this brief Gospel message that Peter gave that day, one important truth sticks out, and that is that there is salvation in no other name than that of Jesus (vs. 12).  Salvation is exclusive. It is by faith in Jesus Christ alone.  There are only two religious paths - the broad path of works, which leads to eternal death, or the narrow path of faith in Jesus, which leads to eternal life (Matthew 7:13-14).  Since God has designated Jesus to be the Savior of the world, no one else can be His equal. There can be no being “open-minded” about how we get to heaven or how we are saved from sin.  No other religious leader is God’s Son. No one else died for our sins and rose again. Salvation is through Jesus only, not any other religious beliefs.

Verse 12 often offends many people.  Jesus said that the world would hate us for believing that He, alone, is the Son of God (John 15:18).  If the shed Blood of Jesus is not necessary for salvation, if some other religious philosophy or teaching will also do, then why would God have sent Jesus to the cross?  God makes no mistakes, and it is through Jesus, and faith in His Blood alone that will bring one to heaven.

These religious leaders noted right away that Peter and John had been with Jesus, and that they were two of His disciples (vs. 13).  They didn’t have to wonder who these two were. It was evident by their words and actions. People ought to be able to look at us and know that we have been with Jesus.  Our conduct and behavior should proclaim that to others.  What gave Peter and John the boldness to speak out to these powerful and dangerous group of men?  They had been with Jesus. Salvation unites us with Him, and fills us with His Spirit.

These religious leaders knew that Peter and John had broken no laws, and that everyone knew about the miracle that had been performed (vs. 15-17).  But they had to stop the spreading of the news that they had executed the Messiah. They sternly warned and threatened the apostles to no longer preach about Jesus or His resurrection.  However, the apostles had such a zeal for the Lord, that they could not keep quiet, even when threatened. Jesus had promised that those who acknowledged Him before men, He would acknowledge before the Father (Matthew 10:32).

Peter and John were common fishermen, not scholars like the Sanhedrin.  Yet who was on the correct path? Who did God use to spread His truth? When minds are closed, even the clearest presentation of the facts can’t open them.