4:5 The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in
Jerusalem,
4:6 with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and
all who were of the high-priestly family.
4:7 When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they
inquired, "By what power or by what name did you do this?"
4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers
of the people and elders,
4:9 if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to
someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed,
4:10 let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel,
that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of
Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from
the dead.
4:11 This Jesus is 'the stone that was rejected by you, the
builders; it has become the cornerstone.'
4:12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name
under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved."
In today's politically correct theological dialogue one is
considered "a fundamentalist" if they would hold on to the belief
that there is no way to be saved but through Christ. The Baptists
were recently held in contempt by the front office of another
denomination for renewing their commitment to carry the message of
Jesus to the Jews. How rude those Baptists were labeled to attempt
to say the faith of the Jews is not a valid one. Yet Acts 4:12 says
that, "there is no other name . . . . by which we must be saved."
Indeed there may be philosophies and religions of many a name. But,
"There is salvation in no one else." Why do some who call themselves
Christian stand ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus the Christ? Yes it is
a hard gospel and an exclusive one! Yet, it is the only true way to
God. Why would we want to preach anything else? Why would we attempt
to say differently than said Jesus, than said Paul and the other
apostles? Let us lift high and proudly the banner of Jesus - His
truth, his salvation, his name. Let us not tire of the battle
against apostasy. Let us keep the truth pure and unpolluted by those
would attempt to dilute Christ's message - to make it more palatable
to those would honor other paths. Rise up you men of God, and preach
the truth today. Fail not to stand against the tide of those who
would nay-say the exclusive salvation offered in, through, and by
Jesus.
Dale in KS
To Dale in KS, Exclusivity has, is and will be a wrecking ball to
the gospel and the church. I am not ashamed of Jesus Christ or his
gospel, but I am saddened and disturbed by those who would demean
the faith of others and claim that their way of salvation is wrong,
invalid or inferior. Rev. R in NY
Surely we can speak about the uniqueness of Jesus without demeaning
the religious beliefs of others. But if Jesus is the Saviour and
Messiah whom God vindicated by raising from the dead, how can we not
be totally committed to the uniqueness of Jesus as the only Saviour
of the world? That is, after all, the apostolic message. Pluralism
at its best isn't an ideology where all religions are just different
cultural expressions of an underlying experience of God. Pluralism
at its best gives everyone permission to speak and let the chips
fall where they may. Like Peter we can make no bones about the fact
that salvation is found in no other name under heaven. People are
free to accept it or reject it as their choice. We need to get away
from making fear of offending people our chief concern when it comes
to evangelism. The Gospel will offend. I am more concerned that
people note by my life and words that I am a companion of Jesus (see
verse 13). And if we truly love the people with whom we are
speaking, we will want to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He is
the only good news out there.
RG in Ontario
I am approaching this passage from the angle of authority. My sermon
title is "who died and made you king?" Christ died and was
ressurected from the dead. It is our belief in these things that
gives us authority. The exclusive message of salvation found here is
directed at the body of believers today. Some may find this
offensive. My question is how could the body of believers find this
offensive. Many ancient and world religions speak to the truth of
the universe.We can even learn much from them. We are not all
equals. If we are to preach with authority. If our congregations are
to share the good news with authrity we need to claim the authority
of the risen Christ. The Moslems, the Jews, the Ratafarians and
others can respect this. The atheist may have a problem. The problem
is theirs. If I don't believe why should they.
I officiate at many weddings for the unchurched. We have done some
creative things at these weddings. My stipulation to the copuple is
always. I will prononce you husband and wife in the name of the
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. After all that is where my authority
comes from. If they have a problem a notary public can perform their
ceremony.
We need not be afraid of standing against the authority of the
intellegentsia. We need to speak with authority and recognize that
thaere are competing views. Paul reminds us that he became all
things to all people that he might win some. May our preaching and
our continued dialogue always remain winsome.
SunCityRev
I am focussing on the name of Jesus. So many popular shows like
"Touched by an Angel" claim to talk about God but fail to ever
mention the name of Jesus. I think Christian disciples need to be
encouraged to use the name of Jesus. Its not a matter of
exclusivity, its a matter of being bold enough to say what you
believe. bumbler in NC
I am focusing on living in the power of the name of Jesus. Imagine
how different our lives would be if we lived them in the name of
Jesus -- mothers' lives would be different, fathers' lives would be
different, etc. Perhaps even the church would be different if we
lived in the name of Jesus . . .
RevJan
