Together in Christ: 'Salvation in No One Else!' — Acts 4:12-13

Friday, August 9, 2024

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[When Peter and John were being tried before the council of Jewish leaders, Peter emphasized,] "There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved."

The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.

— Acts 4:12-13 NLT

Key Thought

We live in an age of political correctness that insists everyone must be allowed into your group, or you are mean, exclusive, and discriminatory. You can't have boundaries to that fellowship. You have no right to claim it is the only way to God. Yet the early disciples claimed that eternal salvation and authentic spiritual life honoring God are found only in Jesus. So, where should we stand on this firm boundary and this clear exclusive claim of Jesus and his earliest followers? We must stand with Jesus!

First, standing with Jesus means that we must emphasize that He wants all people to come to Him. He wants people of all races, genders, socioeconomic groups, political affiliations, and age levels to find salvation in Him. [1] God welcomes each person as His beloved child when that person believes in Jesus as Lord, Savior, Son of God, and Messiah, calling on His name as they are baptized into Him. [2] Believers from "every nation and tribe and people and language" [3] will rejoice around the throne of God and enjoy the glory of their Lord and Savior forever. [4] This means that our goal as followers of Jesus is to lead people from every nation and people to become disciples of Jesus. [5]

Second, this wide-open inclusion of all people centers on one central truth, the truth the early disciples proclaimed in our verses for today. That truth? Jesus is the one and only Savior and the only way to salvation!

"There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved."

The Good News of Jesus is for all people, but without Jesus, it is not God's Good News . It no longer has saving power if faith in Jesus as God in human flesh, Immanuel, God with us, is not proclaimed. [5]

In case we waffle on this conviction, listen to Jesus:

Jesus told [Thomas, His disciple], "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." [6]

This truth is all-inclusive, for all people, and centered on One spiritual reality: Jesus is the only One Who can save us all. So, let's not compromise on the following convictions:

  1. There is no other Savior other than Jesus: He is the Savior we must bring to everyone.
  2. We must share Jesus with everyone we meet and be willing to reach them outside our comfort, culture, and geographical zone.
  3. We must include people from every walk of life, language, and nationality in our fellowship, friendship, and sacrificial love inviting them to follow Jesus with us.
[1] Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:7-8.
[2] Acts 22:16; Romans 11:9-13; Galatians 3:26-29.
[3] Revelation 7:9-11.
[4] Colossians 3:1-4; 1 Timothy 2:5-6.
[5] Matthew 1:23; Galatians 1:8-10; 1 John 2:22-25, 5:11-13; 2 John 1:7, 10-11.
[6] John 14:6.

Today's Prayer

Jesus, You are Lord. I honor You as Savior and Messiah. I thank You for coming to earth and living as one of us so that everyone can find salvation in You. Use me to bring others far from You to find Your grace and the joy of salvation in You. Thank You, Father, for Your Son's ministry and sacrifice and for Your desire to see all saved through Him. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • John 14:1-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-6
  • Mark 3:13-19; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18

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Illustration

Illustration of Acts 4:12-13 NLT — [When Peter and John were being tried before the council of Jewish leaders, Peter emphasized,] "There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved." The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.

About This Devotional

Together in Christ is a daily devotional that focuses on what Scripture teaches about godly living in relationships.

'Together in Christ' is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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