Only one name that saves us

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
Acts 4:12

This is the conclusion to a short and powerful sermon preached by Peter. It stirred up its share of controversy in its day. It was accompanied by the undeniable miraculous healing of a lame man at the temple gates. The religious authorities moved against the apostles and the early church, but they had a problem: they hated Peter's exclusive claim to truth, but they could NOT deny that a real miracle had indeed taken place at the temple (Acts 4:16).

The world has never like it that Christianity is by nature an exclusive religion. But all truth must also be defined by the fact that not everything IS that truth! Jesus Himself taught that He was the sole means of eternal salvation and the ONLY path to God the Father (John 14:6).

The apostles would suffer for their exclusive claim (Acts 4:17-21). Eventually it would escalate to imprisonment and death. But they were only emboldened by the persecution and they trusted a sovereign God and kept right on preaching the exclusive and saving gospel of their Lord (Acts 4:24-31). You cannot stamp out God's Spirit or the power of the preaching of the Cross!

For those today who want to mix any kind of gaseous spirituality, eastern buddhism, or gnostic secrets with the teaching of Christ, beware! You do not have Jesus if you do not have ONLY Jesus as your Savior!


- Posted with my iPad. The Apple Kool-Aide tastes fine.