“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
There was a fisherman who walked upon this earth some 2,000 years ago. He was a common man who made a very uncommon statement that would forever draw a line between Christianity and every other religion that will ever exist. Judaism was the religion of the day, and Peter grew up fervently believing and practicing it until one day when he met Jesus and everything changed. As soon as Peter believed who Jesus was, he started following Him and declaring to others how wrong he had been before. It was in the capital city of Jerusalem, before an audience of high priests and elders and under the threat of further imprisonment, that Peter boldly declared that salvation is found in no one else. Jesus is the only name by which we must be saved.
Without a doubt, Peter's declaration that day drew some odd looks, to say the least. In fact, I imagine there were some very angry people who tore their clothes as a result of the blasphemous words he (Peter) spoke back to them. We must remember that Peter was addressing a group of pious rule-followers who would have viewed this preposterous claim as extremely offensive. After all, on that historic day, Peter did more than just assert that Christianity was right and all other religions were wrong. He clearly revealed that a relationship, not a religion, is the only way to God.
John 1:17 says, “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” When this verse says grace and truth "came by Jesus Christ," it literally means to appear in history or come upon the stage. Make no mistake on the matter, this one verse is verifiable proof that Jesus changed everything. When Jesus was born, grace took center stage. The Law of Moses had done its job, keeping God’s people in line and revealing their sin. Now the time had come for the new and living way, the new covenant, which would be established by grace.
Peter understood this grace because he had a relationship with Jesus. He lived life with Him and knew Him. Following the rules had never been enough. It still isn’t enough. It is not a religion that saves. It is not a belief system that saves. Rather, only the person of Jesus Christ saves us from our sin. Do you know Him?
Prayer: “Our Father, thank You for revealing Yourself to us through Your one and unique Son Jesus. We understand that He is the only name by which anyone can be saved. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
