Only One Name: Acts 4:8-12
“8) Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people, 9) if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well, 10) let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by this name this man stands here before you in good health. 11) He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone. 12) And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”” Acts 4:8-12
Peter addresses the Rulers and elders of the people with a very bold and direct charge. He turns the table and puts them on trail. He goes on offense.
He insinuated that being put on trial for healing a lame man was both spiritually and morally repugnant. Especially because the man had been lame from his mothers womb. Even infrequent visitors to Jerusalem knew him, because he had sat for years at the Beautiful gate of the temple begging for alms.
The miracle had an uncanny resemblance to the man born blind from his mothers womb whom Jesus healed as recorded in John 9:1-41. The disciples asked Jesus; “2) … Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he should be born blind?” Jesus then set the stage for the miracle; “3)… it was neither that this man sinned , nor his parents; but it was in order that the works of God might be displayed in him.” His healing turned into the same kind of scrutiny by the religious leaders. History was repeating itself.
Peter seized the opportunity to preach Jesus Christ and the gospel to them. In so doing he made three strong points.
First, in verse 10 he pointed out that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene the healing happened. He was the very one they had crucified but God had raised from the dead. To drive his point home home, he said: “… by this name this man stands here in good health!”
According to the text, the formerly lame man was standing next to Peter and John. The evidence was obvious and indisputable. A lame man cannot stand or walk on his own. But the man was totally whole and in good health… and standing right in front of them!
Second, Peter quoted from Psalm 118:22-24 and charged that the Rulers and elders had fulfilled this prophetic text by rejecting Jesus Christ. Acts 4:11; “He is the stone which was rejected by you the builders, but which has become the very corner stone.”
The story of the healing was spreading far and wide. So was the crucial detail that he was healed “In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene.” (Compare Acts 3:6 and Acts 4:10) Jesus Christ had indeed been rejected by them, “the builders”, but He was now quickly becoming the very corner stone. He was the focus of Peter’s message!
Finally, in verse 12, Peter makes the bold claim that Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation! “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) Make no mistake, the gospel is very exclusive. Peter stated that faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation!
This verse is equivalent to John 10:7-9 where Jesus claimed to be both the door of the sheep and the good shepherd. All who enter through Him are saved. How could He be both the door and the shepherd? Because at night the good shepherd would lay as the door of the corral. There was only one way in… and it was through Him.
Peter was saying the same thing in Acts 4:12. Salvation is only through faith in Jesus Christ! His point was absolutely clear to the Rulers and elders of the people. Salvation is not through the name of Abraham, Isaac or Jacob. It is not through Moses, Joshua or Elijah. It is not through David, Daniel or John the Baptist. They all pointed people to Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation. It is not through Buddha, Mohammad or the Dalai Lama. It is not through the Catholic Church, Lutheran Church or Baptist Church. It is not through the philosopher, psychologist or politician. It is not through the medicine man, witch doctor or warlock. It is not through Christian Science, Mormonism or Scientology. It is not through mythology, mysticism or new age religions. It is not through good works, religious rituals or philanthropy. Salvation is only through personal saving faith in Jesus Christ. He alone died on the cross to pay for the sins of humanity and He alone rose from the dead proving His claim of Deity. Have you put your faith in Jesus Christ for your salvation?
Peter exposes and explodes a common myth and lie that says; “All roads lead to God!” Let me close by quoting him one more time; “12) And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”” (Acts 4:12)
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
