There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved! Acts 4:12 WEB
The religious authority of the time of Christ, known as the Sanhedrin, confronted John and Peter about the healing of a lame man. Acts 4:7 reports this stating, “When they had stood Peter and John in the middle of them, they inquired, ‘By what power, or in what name, have you done this?’ WEB” Peter announces that he healed the man through the power of the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
A person’s name indicates power, authority, and reputation. Jesus’ name, as the Son of the Living God, is powerful to save and to heal those who believe. Belief here is important. The Jews of the Sanhedrin rejected Jesus as the Christ. They did not believe he was the Messiah. But those who truly knew Jesus also knew that salvation from sin comes by no other name under heaven than the name of Christ Jesus.
The authorities placed Peter and John in jail for proclaiming the resurrection of Christ and the gospel of salvation. The next day, religious leaders questioned them. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, exposed the hypocrisy of the leaders. He questioned their motive for jailing them for simply healing a lame man.
In The Name of Jesus Christ
Peter answers the question of the healing of the man in Acts 4:10 stating, “may it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, this man stands here before you whole in him. WEB”
The boldness of the response astonished the leadership. The healed man stood with them. The Sanhedrin did not deny the healing but did threaten Peter and John, forbidding them from teaching or speaking in the name of Jesus.
The words of David offer insight into why the religious leaders opposed the good works. Psalm 2:1-3 reads, “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. WEB”
Even though a healing took place, the authorities of the time rejected Christ still. They did not accept the power, authority or assertion that there is no other name under heaven but Jesus for saving our souls. That would mean submitting to a power and authority greater than their own.
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for salvation and for your Holy Spirit. Accepting that there is no other name under heaven apart from Jesus Christ that saves, I humble myself before you and submit to your will. Keep me strong and lead me to be as bold as Peter and John when confronted with difficult circumstances. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: To Be Religious
