"In None Other Is There Salvation"
Acts 4:12
"And in none other is there salvation; for neither is
there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be
saved." (Acts 4:12). This story begins in Acts 3:1, when Peter and John
heal a lame man "in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth (3:5) at the door of
the temple. Attracting a multitude, Peter had opportunity to preach Jesus
(3:11-26). They were seized and brought before the high court of the Jews for
interrogation (4:1-7).
Peter's defense before the tribunal was to proclaim the power in
Jesus' name, by which this lame was healed, but more importantly, by which all
are saved from sin (4:8-12). From Peter's sermon (3:11-26), we note these facts
pertaining to Jesus.
1) He Is The Glorified Servant (13-18). The Jews
crucified Jesus, but the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - their God - glorified
His Servant by raising Him from the dead. He was despised and rejected, bearing
our griefs and afflictions which only we deserved because of our sin (Isa.
53:3-9). His sacrifice was no accident, nor the result of man thwarting heaven's
will, but it was accomplishing God's eternal purpose to redeem sinful man in His
Son: "Yet it pleased Jehovah to bruise him; he hath put him to grief; when thou
shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong
his days, and the pleasure of Jehovah shall prosper in his hand" (Isa. 53:10).
Jesus was glorified because He accomplished what the Father sent Him to do - be
a sacrifice for sin (John 17:4-5).
2) He Is The Prophet Like Moses (22-24). Through
Jesus, God speaks to us today (Heb. 1:2). His message can be known (John 8:32);
Peter said, "to Him shall ye hearken" (3:22a). His word is complete,
all-sufficient to accomplish its divine purpose; man must obey "in all things
whatsoever he shall speak unto you" (3:22b; Isa. 55:10-11; 2 Tim. 3:16-17). And,
His gospel is authoritative - those who don't "hearken" will be destroyed
(3:23). It is God's power to save the sinner (Rom. 1:16; James. 1:21; 1 Pet.
1:22-23).
3) He Is The Seed Of Abraham (25-26). God promised
Abraham He would bless all nations in his "seed" (Gen. 22:18). The inspired
apostle Paul would later explain this as having reference to the blessings for
mankind in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:16) - blessings which are
a) universal - for "all the families of the earth (25a; Gal. 3:28);
b) spiritual - "in turning away every one of you
from your iniquities" (3:26); and c) conditional -
because they were commanded to "repent... and turn again, that your sins may be
blotted out" (3:19; cf. Acts 2:38).
God's assurance to us of our salvation in Christ is founded in the truth of His
resurrection from the dead (26). This fact is substantiated by 1) The miracle
worked on the lame man, confirming the truthfulness of the sermon preached (cf.
Mk. 16:18, 20). 2) Eyewitness testimony (15). The apostles had seen the risen
Savior (Acts 1:21-22). 3) The testimony of Old Testament scripture (24-25; cf.
John 5:39). Truly, in none other is there salvation. Have you obeyed Him?
By Dan Richardson
From Expository Files 10.2, February, 2003
