Articles
"No Other Name"
Acts 4:12, "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
CONTEXT: ACTS 3:1 – 4:31.
A notable miracle (Acts 4:16).
How remarkable was this? Consider…
- He was a lame man over forty years old who was daily laid at the gate of the temple petitioning alms (Acts 3:2). He was frequently seen by the people and was known to be physically incapacitated.
- He was healed instantly in the name of Jesus Christ. Luke notes that his feet and ankle bones received strength immediately (Acts 3:8). Not only was he healed instantly, but he was healed thoroughly. He not only walked but also leap (Acts 3:7, 8).
- It was a very public event. The things done by the apostles were not done in a corner. “All the people saw him walking and praising God” (Acts 3:9). At this Beautiful Gate an amazing deed was done (3:10).
A mixed reaction (Acts 4:2).
This amazing miracle led to preaching where Peter clarified that Jesus made this man whole. He also pointed out that this was Jesus whom they delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate (3:13). There was no mistaken identity who Peter was speaking of. He was talking about Jesus of Nazareth, the Holy and Just One and yet was delivered up to die with a murderer being set free. They killed the One whom God glorified. They killed the Prince of life whom God raised. Where God is holy; men are corrupt. Where God is just; men are dishonest and undue. Where God gives life; man unlawfully sheds blood.
Since Jesus is the Prince of life, it was only through Him that these apostles could work and heal this physically impaired man. But after performing this incredible miracle, the priests, the captain of the temple and the Sadducees were greatly disturbed, arrested them and put them in custody (4:1-3). Men may despise a good deed! However, many others believe (4:4).
The next day they asked the apostles “By what power or by what name have you done this?” With boldness, Peter placed his inquisitors on trial and proclaimed that it was done by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth whom they had crucified, and God raised. He charged them as builders who had rejected, of all things, the chief cornerstone! By this, he invoked Psalm 118:22, a Psalm that spoke of God doing something marvelous in our eyes and giving us a day in which we can rejoice and be glad in. That marvelous work was the resurrection of Christ which was preceded by the rejection and murder of men. On a dark Friday, the Son of God was put to death, and a murderer was set free. On the following glorious Sunday, the Son of God broke free from the pains of death and gave us something to rejoice in (cf. Acts 2:24; Ps. 118:23, 24; Mk. 16:9).
Let it also be known to us "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). There is no other name; there is no other way. John 14:6, “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” Have you obeyed the gospel in baptism so He can save you (Mk. 16:16)?
--Steven J. Wallace
- Acts_4_12.pdf (82.86 kB)
