Just Keeping It Real (Part 12)

Just Keeping It Real (Part 12)

Text

Acts 4:5-12, “And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, (6) And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. (7) And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? (8) Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, (9) If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; (10) Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. (11) This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. (12) Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

Introduction

Life, as we understand and experience it is so very diverse. There are no two people exactly the same. Even twins have unique fingerprints, voiceprints, retinas, and DNA. It is often said, “there is always more than one way to do anything.” And, in most cases I would agree.

For instance, there is more than one way to get to New York from Los Angeles, you can travel by plane, train, bus, bicycle, skates, skateboard, horseback, donkey, elephant, camel or you can walk.

However, when it comes to spiritual matters like salvation, the premise that there is more than one way to do anything,” is not an accurate biblical statement. Actually, it is contrary to what Scripture teaches and simply does not stand up. In fact, this is the point at which most people who either reject or are ignorant of what the Bible teaches begin to point their critical fingers at Christians.

In fact, I have often heard people say something like: “This is the problem I have with Christianity. You all think that your way is the only way to God. What about other religions like Islam or Buddhism or Hinduism? How can you say your way is the only way?”

Of course, the answer is, “The reason we say it, believe it, preach it and teach it is because the Bible declares it. And the Bible is true, because it is God’s word and it has never been wrong.” Our text today, is one of those biblical declarations for which the Bible does not apologize, and neither should any Believer. The declaration is that “There’s Only One Name that Will Save.” That name is Jesus Christ. Amen somebody. Just keeping it real.

The context of this text actually begins in Acts 3, where Peter and John go up into the temple to participate in the evening prayer, which is 3:000 PM. The Jews went to the temple to pray 3x a day (Psalm 55:17). The other two were 9:00 AM (3rd hour) and 12 Noon (6th hour).

At the temple gate called Beautiful, they encounter a 40-year old man described as a lame beggar begging for alms. Another distinguishing bit of information about this lame beggar is that he was born lame in both legs, unable to walk, and had to be carried daily and laid in position at this location totally dependent upon the compassion and generosity of those going to and fro the temple. He was well-known by all—young and old.

When the lame man asked alms of Peter and John, Peter had to let him know that he did not have any silver or gold to give him, but what he had he would give him. Peter said, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.”

Then man “leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God: And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.”

The man was so thankful that he clang to Peter and John, and the people were astonished or as we would say today, they were blown-away. Observing their reaction, Peter informed them that the credit for the man’s healing does not belong to him or John, but to Jesus Christ of Nazareth. The same Jesus whom they denied before Pontius Pilate, even when he was determined to let Him go.

As Peter continued to preach he informed them that although they denied the HOLY ONE and Just, and killed the Prince of life; preferring a murderer over Him; he and John were witnesses that God raised Him from the dead. It is is His name through faith in His name that this man whom you all know is now healed. Glory to God!

Peter said, I know you did it out of ignorance as did your rulers. The requirement now is that you repent and be converted so that your sins may be forgiven. Right about this time the Sadducees, who do not believe in the resurrection from the dead, came upon Peter and John and were angry that they were preaching/teaching through Jesus Christ the resurrection from the dead. In fact, they were so angry that they put them both in jail until the morning.

This is where our text today begins. We learn that through Peter’s preaching that the number of believers increased that day to about 5,000 men not counting women and children. So, the stage is set for a full hearing before the Sanhedrin on the matter. Ironically, Peter and John now stand before the same group of men that tried and convicted Jesus.

As Peter, John, and the healed man stood before the assembled Sanhedrin council, they had one question: “By what power, or by what name, have you done this?” What is the "this?" Glad you asked. The “this” is the healing of the lame man. Notice that there was no question as to whether he was lame, which is an indicator that they knew he had been lame. In fact, since he was 40-years old, he probably grew up with many of them.

Being filled with the holy Spirit, as promised by Christ, (Mark 13:11), “But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.” Peter begins to speak.

Addressing the Sanhedrin, Peter boldly states that if the purpose of this trial concerns an act of kindness done to the impotent man, which you refer to as “this.” Let me be clear to all of you and to all of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him does this man stand here before you whole.

Peter then quotes the same Scripture that Jesus quoted to them, Psalm 118:22, “The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.” In other words, no individual or group of individuals can hijack, derail or in any manner stop God’s plan of salvation! This ought to give somebody some encouragement today. God’s truth does now and will forever stand. Amen somebody. Just keeping it real.

V. 12 – “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

Peter says, “Neither is there salvation in any other…” So, the issue is salvation. What is salvation? The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament defines salvation as:

1. “to deliver from a direct threat,”

2. “to bring safe and sound out of a difficult situation.

The direct threat from which people need deliverance is the Judgement and Wrath of God against sin. At Jesus’ Annunciation, the angel said, “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” Amen somebody. Just keeping it real.

The difficulty of the situation is that man is born a sinner and sin is a spiritually blinding condition. Rendering a man unable to see the only hope available, which is Jesus Christ. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 4:3,4 – “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: (4) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

Obviously, salvation does not mean we will not face racism, opposition, oppression, persecution or even death. Nevertheless, despite life’s hardships and difficulties, God is able and will deliver his children either from it, in it or through it all. Amen somebody. Just keeping it real.

Conclusion

Finally, my brothers and my sisters pray that God will fill you with His Holy Spirit so that you may with boldness, clarity, compassion, and love declare to a perishing world, including our relatives and friends the only hope available for the salvation of their souls, which is Jesus Christ. “For there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Amen somebody. Just Keeping it real.

I am reminded of the a hymn by John Newton in 1779

How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds

How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds In a believer’s ear! It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, And drives away his fear.

It makes the wounded spirit whole, And calms the troubled breast; ’Tis manna to the hungry soul, And to the weary, rest.

May the Lord bless and keep you is my earnest prayer.