Today’s bible verse is... Acts 4:12
We Christians believe in some very strange things, at least when considered from the world’s perspective.
There is the virgin birth,
miracles and the supernatural, angels and demons, and the resurrection.
But among these oddities that make the natural mind shake its head... That is often the most upsetting and offensive of claims... In which Peter spoke to the rulers of the people and elders of Israel when they questioned him in Acts 4:12: “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved”
As Christians, believe in the name of Jesus, and no other name, is worthy of our praise. And this is our creed.
Jesus is the only way to God... And this belief tops the list of beliefs that our society increasingly considers not only strange, but offensive, and intolerant. To some it is even dangerous.
We are told in 1 Corinthians 1:18 that our creed is “folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God”
Now I want to point out
four things in today’s bible verse (Acts 4:12) that makes this such a
controversial claim
The 1st point, The Necessity
Notice that little word “must.”
“There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be
saved.” We must keep in mind, that Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith, our
worship, and our eternal salvation.
If we are to be saved, we must go through Him. He is the one and only way...
Jesus Himself stated in John 14:6: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Simply put... No Jesus - No salvation.
The 2nd point, The Universality
Notice these two words, “under heaven.”
“There is no other name under heaven . . .”
Which means this one Jesus, and the path to God He provides, is for every nation, and for every people on the planet.
It is not that Jesus is the way for Christians, while the Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims have their own paths, all leading to the same God.
“Under heaven” means this Name
is the One name for all, for every people group in every nation, over the
entire earth.
The 3rd is The Mission
Observe the phrase “among men.” “There is no other name under heaven given among men . . .”
This name isn’t something God Almighty broadcasts from above, while remaining safely tucked away in heaven, conveniently distant from all the dirt and grime of our lives, the mire of our sin and suffering.
Rather, God Himself came “among men” in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
Just as we’re told in Philippians 2:6 “did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.”
Jesus became a Man and came “among men” — and He came to rescue, we are told in Mark 10:45; He came, “not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many”. He suffered and was crucified... He descended into darkness... He rose in glorious life... and is forever seated on high.
And our last and 4th point is The Grace
The word “given.” “There is no other name under heaven given . . .”
When we Christians say... with love in our hearts and concern in our voice — and sometimes even with tears in our eyes — there is no other name...
We do not mean that we are strong and deserving, or that we have it figured out, because we own the market on truth.
Rather, quite the contrary...
We are sick, and finding healing in this Man, and only in Him.
We were lost, and have found rescue in this Name, and no other.
No, we aren’t strong, but He is and He was given from heaven to save the weak.
You see. This is our song... This is our creed... We believe!
Link to the video - WE BELIEVE, by Newsboys:
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