One Salvation, One Name

Introduction

It is a universal human experience to search for a way out of trouble, a solution to a problem, or a path to healing. Imagine being gravely ill, and after visiting countless doctors and trying every known remedy, you are told there is only *one* cure, and it's readily available. Would you not run to it? Today, we are going to look at a divine declaration concerning the ultimate human ailment—sin—and its sole, perfect cure.

Our passage is found in Acts 4:12. Here, the Apostle Peter stands before the very religious leaders who had recently condemned Jesus. He and John had just performed a staggering miracle, healing a man who had been lame from birth at the temple gate. When questioned by what power or name they had done this, Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, boldly proclaimed the truth. He declared that the healing occurred "in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth" (Acts 4:10, ESV). But he didn't stop there. He then moved from physical healing to a far greater and more eternal deliverance, asserting its singular source:

"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mankind by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12, ESV)

This verse is not merely a historical account; it is a foundational truth for every generation. It speaks to the universal human need for salvation, the exclusive provision God has made for it, and the personal call to receive it.

1. The Universal Human Need for Salvation (Why Do We Need It?)

Before we can appreciate the cure, we must understand the sickness. The Bible is clear: all people are afflicted with the disease of sin. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23, ESV). This isn't just about making mistakes; it's about a fundamental rebellion against a holy God. Sin creates an impassable chasm between us and our Creator. As Isaiah 59:2 (NLT) says, "It's your sins that have separated you from your God."

The consequence of this separation is dire: eternal death. "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23, ESV). Just as a worker earns a paycheck, our sin earns us spiritual death—a permanent separation from God's presence.

Many try to bridge this gap on their own. They might live a "good" life, hoping their good deeds will outweigh their bad ones. They might engage in religious rituals, thinking they can earn God's favor. But the truth is, we are utterly incapable of saving ourselves. It's like trying to swim across an ocean when you can barely doggy paddle in a pond. Our efforts are insufficient.

As the great preacher Charles Spurgeon once said, "If you want to know the value of your soul, go to Calvary. Go and see the Son of God, the Son of Man, giving up His life, His precious blood, to redeem it." The very fact that Jesus had to die for sin underscores its gravity and our utter helplessness to fix it ourselves. No human effort, no matter how sincere, can cleanse the stain of sin. "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV).

2. The Exclusive Provision for Salvation (What is the Only Way?)

In His infinite love and mercy, God did not leave us in our lost condition. He provided the one and only way for us to be saved. This salvation is not a plan we devised; it is God's divine provision. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16, ESV).

This provision centers entirely on the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is fully God and fully man, living a perfect life, fulfilling all righteousness. And then, He willingly went to the cross, offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. His death was not an accident; it was an atoning work, paying the penalty we deserved. He was buried, and on the third day, He rose again, triumphing over sin and death, proving His divine authority and power.

"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8, ESV). The apostle Paul summarizes it beautifully: "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, ESV).

And this brings us back to Peter's bold declaration in Acts 4:12: "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mankind by which we must be saved." This statement is not narrow-minded; it is divinely appointed. It means there is no other religious leader, no other prophet, no other philosophy, and no other path that can lead to true, eternal salvation. Jesus Himself affirmed this exclusivity, saying, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6, ESV).

Consider a locked door. Many keys might look similar, but only one key fits the lock and opens the door. Jesus is that one, divinely appointed key to salvation. To suggest there are other ways diminishes the unique and perfect work of Christ. As A.W. Tozer profoundly stated, "The Lord is not a send-off but a coming-in. The Lord Jesus Christ is not only the way, but the way of access to God." He is not merely a good teacher or a moral example; He is the divine bridge over the chasm of sin, the sole deliverer.

3. The Call to Personal Salvation (How Do We Receive It?)

Knowing our need and God's provision, the question becomes: how do we personally receive this salvation? It's not automatic. It requires a personal response, which the Bible describes in three key components:

A. **Repentance:** This isn't just feeling sorry for your sins; it's a change of mind that leads to a change of direction. It's turning away from your old life of sin and turning towards God. It's a fundamental reorientation of your life. Peter urged his hearers, "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out" (Acts 3:19, ESV). It means acknowledging that your way leads to destruction and God's way leads to life.

B. **Faith:** This is placing your complete trust and reliance on Jesus Christ alone for your salvation. It's not faith in faith itself, or faith in your ability to be good. It's faith in who Jesus is and what He accomplished on the cross. It means believing that His death paid the full penalty for your sins and that His resurrection offers you new life. The Bible says, "Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9, ESV). This is the "grace through faith" we saw in Ephesians 2:8.

C. **Confession:** This is an open acknowledgment of Jesus as your Lord and Savior. It's making a public declaration of your internal faith. "For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved" (Romans 10:10, ESV). This confession is not about earning salvation, but about declaring the truth of what has happened in your heart. It's standing with Christ.

Imagine you are lost in a dense forest, hopelessly disoriented. Suddenly, a guide appears and offers to lead you out by a path only he knows. You must trust him completely, follow his directions, and leave behind your own faulty sense of direction. This is what repentance and faith look like in our spiritual journey.

Conclusion

Friends, the message of Acts 4:12 is both exclusive and incredibly loving. God, in His immense grace, has provided a singular, perfect way for us to be reconciled to Him through Jesus Christ. This exclusivity is not a limitation designed to keep people out, but a clear, loving pathway designed to lead people to eternal life. It assures us that there is a definite, reliable source of salvation.

The greatest problem facing humanity is lostness—our separation from God due to sin. The solution is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Today, if you have never repented of your sins and placed your faith in Jesus Christ alone, I urge you to do so. Acknowledge your sin before God. Believe that Jesus died for your sins and rose again. Confess Him as your Lord and Savior. There is no other name under heaven by which you can be saved. Turn to Jesus today, and receive the free gift of eternal life that only He can offer.