Acts 4:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

NIV: Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.'

NASB: And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved.'

CSB: There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved."

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

KJV: Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

NKJV: Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Peter is explaining to the Sanhedrin whose authority he used to heal a lame man (Acts 3:1–10). Specifically, the council asks, "By what power or by what name did you do this?" (Acts 4:7). Peter claims that he did it through the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth (Acts 4:10). One's "name" includes the sense of one's identity, power, authority, and reputation. Jesus' name is the only name that saves.

"Salvation" is from the Greek root word sōtēria. It means "deliverance and preservation" and can imply rescue in a worldly, physical context, such as from enemies, or it can suggest eternal spiritual rescue. The salvation that Christ offers delivers us from sin and hell and preserves us, or keeps us safe, for heaven (John 10:28). "Men" is from the Greek root word Anthrōpos and means "human being;" this is the non-gender-specific reference for all human beings.

In Acts 4:11, Peter calls the Sanhedrin the "builders" who are responsible for the Jewish people and the proper observance of the Jewish religion. As "builders," the elders, priests, and scribes should have recognized Jesus. Several places in their Scripture—our Old Testament—give very specific descriptions that identity Jesus as the Messiah they have been waiting for. In just the last week of His life He fulfilled prophecies of the donkey He rode into Jerusalem on (Zechariah 9:9; Mark 11:1–7), the way the Roman guards cast lots for His clothing (Psalm 22:18; Mark 15:24), and the fact that His bones were not broken (Psalm 22:17; John 19:31–37).

Sadly, the Jews had a long history of ignoring, abusing, and killing their prophets (1 Kings 19:10; 2 Chronicles 36:16; Jeremiah 2:30). And so they missed the coming of the One they had waited so long for—the only one who could bring them salvation.

Acts 4:5–12 covers Peter and John's defense before the Sanhedrin—the ruling Jewish council. The priests and other Sadducees have arrested Peter and John because after they healed a lame man, they taught a crowd that Jesus rose from the dead (Acts 3). The Sadducees don't believe resurrection is possible and really don't want to hear that a dissident they had killed has come back to life. They ask how Peter got the power to heal the man. Peter tells them, not only is Jesus alive, He's the Messiah of the Jews and the only path to salvation.

Acts 4 continues the story started in Acts 3. Peter and John have healed a man born lame and preached that Jesus has risen from the dead. The Sanhedrin orders their arrest for teaching the resurrection. The Jewish officials warn Peter and John to stop speaking in Jesus' name. Peter and John refuse, but, since they have committed no crime, the Sanhedrin releases them. Peter and John return to their friends, and the Jesus-followers pray for boldness in the face of growing persecution. The church continues to grow, sharing all their possessions so that no one is in need.

Acts 4 gives the first hints of the persecution the church will face throughout its history. Peter and John attract attention when Peter heals a well-known lame beggar, and Peter uses the publicity to tell others about Christ. The Sanhedrin cannot allow the apostles to continue teaching Jesus rose from the dead. They arrest, warn, and free Peter and John, but it's just the beginning. Soon, they will arrest and beat all the apostles (Acts 5:17–42). Then a mob will stone Stephen (Acts 7:54–60). And Saul will persecute Jesus-followers in Jerusalem (Acts 8:1–3) and beyond (Acts 9:1–2). The Sanhedrin fails to realize—if you send Jesus-followers fleeing into the world, they will take Jesus' message with them.

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.