Acts 4:12
Thoughts from Dayna Spaulding
Dive Deeper
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12
Behind the Scenes
The Bible is full of rich dramatic stories. Today’s verses come from one such story about the apostles Peter and John. This occurred shortly after the disciples were empowered by the Holy Spirit at the Jewish feast of Pentecost. After his resurrection, Jesus visited his disciples for forty days. He then ascended into heaven but before he did, he gave his apostles both a mission and a promise. The mission tasked them with taking the good new of Jesus to the ends of the earth. The promise was the sending of the Spirit to live within them and empower them for the mission.
After Pentecost and empowered by the Spirit, the Apostles Peter and John went to the temple in Jerusalem to preach the message about Jesus. At one of the temple gates, they met a crippled beggar. He asked for money, but they had none. So, Peter healed the beggar in the name of Jesus Christ. The beggar and the people who witnessed this miracle were ecstatic and followed Peter and John into the temple. Peter and John preached to them and taught them about Jesus. That day, hundreds of people put their faith in Jesus.
The Jewish ruling council of priests, called the Sanhedrin, did not like what was happening in the temple. This council was the same one that condemned Jesus and handed him over to the Romans to be crucified. They arrested Peter and John and brought them before the council for a hearing. Now, you should know something about Peter. During Jesus’ trial before his crucifixion, people asked Peter if he was a follower of Jesus. Peter denied Jesus, not once, not twice, but three times. He was scared and did not want people to know he was a disciple. This day in front of the Sanhedrin, however, Peter had witnessed the resurrected Jesus and had been filled with his holy Spirit. This day, Peter was bold.
The Sanhedrin asked Peter by whose name he healed the beggar. Peter stated that it was in the name of Jesus that the beggar had been healed. He ended his testimony with today’s verse, saying that the name of Jesus was the only way humans could be saved; saved from their sins, saved for a resurrected life with God, saved to carry the message of Jesus to others. This was a very different Peter from the Peter that denied Jesus.
Make it Real
A lot of people grapple with the fact that Jesus is the only way to salvation. Every religion or belief system makes exclusive claims. If you are not a believer, I urge you to study deeper the story of Jesus and examine its truths about the world in which we live. Jesus was real. The resurrection really happened. Peter, John, and many others witnessed these events. The truth that Jesus restores our relationship with God and gives us a new life empowered Peter and John and this truth can change your life as well.
If you are a believer, use this story to inspire you to cling to Jesus more closely and rely on the power of his Spirit. Engage with the community of fellow believers and worship and praise Jesus, the Son of God. Serve him by sharing his message with those around you. The same Spirit that moved Peter to claim the name of Jesus in the face of powerful enemies can help you as well.
Wherever you are in your belief, look at the changes in Peter. He moved from frightened denial to bold proclaimer, even preaching the name of Jesus in the very courts that condemned him to crucifixion. Jesus is the only way to a new and eternal life.
Johnny Spence
ACF Devo Team
End in Prayer
Jesus, thank you for all you have done. Thank you for your sacrifice so that I might have a true life. A healed life. Give me the desire and power to share my faith and the reasons I believe with others. Give me the wisdom to share in a loving and authentic way. Help me feel your Spirit within me. Amen.