No Other Name! (Part One)

In Acts 4:12, the apostle Peter announced that salvation is found in no one else than the person of Jesus, “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.” To better understand what Peter meant here, some background setting and context are necessary. One day following Pentecost, the Jewish rulers, elders, and teachers of the law saw Peter and John healing a lame beggar at the Beautiful Gate of the temple (Acts 3:1–11). As the apostles entered the courtyard, the disabled man asked them for money. Peter answered, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk” (Acts 3:6). At Peter’s command, the man instantly rose to his feet and began walking, leaping, and praising God in the temple courts (Acts 3:7–8). Taking advantage of the moment and the crowd’s astonishment, Peter began to preach a deeply convicting message. He explained that Jesus Christ, the man they had crucified, was indeed the Author of Life (Acts 3:12–21). Many who heard the message that day were saved (Acts 4:4). But the Jewish leaders were greatly disturbed by these events and angered by the apostles’ teaching, so they arrested Peter and John (Acts 4:2–3). The next day, the religious rulers demanded to know how the disabled beggar had been healed. They asked, “By what power or what name did you do this?” (Acts 4:7). Once again, seizing the opportunity, Peter answered, “If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed” (Acts 4:9–10). Something about the name Jesus! It’s the sweetest name that I know! Be encouraged!