Acts - Chapter FourSample

Salvation in Christ Alone 

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12

Peter’s speech after the healing, caused no small stir. The religious authorities imprisoned Peter and John. The following day, all the leaders including members of the high priest’s family (Acts 4:6), came together. The fact that the whole ruling body came together, to investigate the ‘crime’, reveals its seriousness.

Filled with God’s Spirit, Peter courageously declared, “…It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth ... Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:10,12). 

Peter’s statement that salvation is in Christ alone, had huge implications. In other words, Peter was stating

No blood, no altar now, The sacrifice is o'er!
No flame, no smoke ascends on high,
The lamb is slain no more… (an old Hymn)

The leadership knew that Peter’s proclamation with the added visible evidence of Christ’s power through the miracle could very well mean the collapse of the temple infrastructure. Therefore, the pilgrimage to the temple, the sacrificial system, the priestly office, the economy, the authorities’ power and position could all come to an end. The leaders’ desperate attempt to silence Peter and John, in fact resulted in more people responding to Christ’s salvation. Acts 4:4

May we truly grasp the significance of salvation through Christ alone, and through the Holy Spirit boldly act and proclaim this truth.