“Salvation Is Only In Jesus’ Name”

Acts 4:5-12

5) 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.

C

onsider Jesus! This is a simple mandate of the Lord to those who profess salvation and/or those who claim to pursue after truth. However, this request goes unheeded by the masses of people who continually and consistently refuse and attempt to refute the only salvation plan outlined and demonstrated in the Bible.

Consider these verses of Scripture:

• Romans 10:13—For whosoever shall cap upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
• John 14:6—Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
• Luke 24:47—And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
• Acts 4:12—Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
• Acts 2:38—Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

How then can men, today, attempt to validate any other gospel that espouses the baptism in the name of “the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.?” The Bible is very clear that the name (singular) of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost (in which the disciples were commanded to baptize) is JESUS CHRIST! God is not obligated to honor personal preferences or choices, but only His Word. Therefore, those who ignorantly hold to the familiar and comfortable assuredly will be unable to get help for themselves or anyone else, for that matter.

Consider the man lame from birth who was carried to the temple daily begging for money. Yet, each day, the priests of that day walked past him ignoring his need. If they were unwilling and unable to help him, how much worse off were they than him, supposedly being “representatives of God?”

No one can utilize the power of God without knowing or experiencing Jesus. Peter and John, on the contrary, demonstrated the power and authority of the name of Jesus, commanding the lame man to “rise up and walk.” Such a miracle caught the attention of 5,000 who then sought the Miracle behind the miracle, and were saved.

Today, as then, the religious world frowns upon the truth, trying to persuade men with enticing words but having no power behind them. Popular religious teaching promotes and thrives upon one’s being able to do as he pleases and, then, just attaching the name of Jesus to the end of his prayers or selfish requests.

Many professors of salvation attempt to utilize the authority of Jesus without acknowledging or accepting His name. However, in this world of service-oriented businesses, one’s reputation is only as good as the name under which it operates and the power to stand behind the service. Also, consider that business transactions require a name or symbol of authority in order to be valid. Consequently, authorizations are only made legal because they are bound by the name of an entity or person of authority. If someone authorizes another to act in his behalf, there must be proof of that authorization or proof of one’s identify shown. So, to say one can act with authority without the name of the one in authority is ignorant and deceitful.

Therefore, it is biblical, spiritual, and even legal fact that salvation is contingent upon the name of Jesus. In order to be valid, one’s salvation must bear the authority and name of the only one able to save—this is Jesus Christ! Salvation through that name guarantees one to be able to depart from iniquity and live free from sin. The name of Jesus, and all that it implies, guarantees the believers freedom from “religion” and happiness in salvation.

So, if one tries to use the name of Jesus as an afterthought, tagging it on the end of a blessing for entrance into Heaven, without obtaining salvation in that name, he can expect his “window” to Heaven to read … CLOSED.