What does it mean that there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12)?

Answer

In Acts 4:12, the apostle Peter declared that salvation is only found in Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stating, “for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” To fully grasp Peter’s message, it is essential to consider the background and context.

After Pentecost, the Jewish leaders observed Peter and John healing a lame beggar at the Beautiful Gate of the temple (Acts 3:1-11). When the apostles encountered the disabled man in the courtyard asking for money, Peter responded, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk” «Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. », (Acts 3:6). Upon Peter’s command, the man immediately stood up and started walking, leaping, and praising God in the temple courts (Acts 3:7-8).

Seizing the opportunity and the crowd’s amazement, Peter delivered a powerful message. He clarified that Jesus Christ, the one they had crucified, was indeed the Author of Life (Acts 3:12-15). “By faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed—and you know how disabled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ name has restored him in your presence” «And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. », (Acts 3:16, NLT).

Peter preached that Jesus was the promised Messiah of Israel. He called the people to repent and believe in Him (Acts 3:19-21). Many who heard the message that day were saved: “However, many of them who heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.” (Acts 4:4). But the Jewish leaders were greatly disturbed by these events and angered by the apostles’ teaching, so they arrested Peter and John (Acts 4:2-3).

The next day, the religious rulers demanded to know how the disabled beggar had been healed. They asked, “By what power or what name did you do this?” “And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?” (Acts 4:7). Once again, seizing the opportunity, Peter answered, “If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed” (Acts 4:9-10).

Peter packed a lot into his words. He wanted everyone to know that it was only by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, crucified by them yet risen from the dead, that he and John had the power to heal and preach. Furthermore, salvation was found only in Him because “God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved” “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12, NLT).

It is crucial to comprehend that in biblical times, a person’s name carried significantly more weight than it does today. Names were not mere labels to differentiate individuals; they symbolized one’s fundamental essence and identity. Similar to a power of attorney, a person’s name bore the same authority and significance as the individual it represented.

The name of Jesus is inseparably connected to the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ name encapsulates His power, authority, and identity. His name embodies His very being.

The English name Jesus is derived from the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name Yeshua, meaning “Yahweh is salvation” or “The Lord Saves.” When the early Christians invoked the name of Jesus, they acknowledged Him as the Christ, the anointed Messiah who embodied God’s promised deliverance.

When the angel appeared to Joseph, instructing him to name his son “Jesus” because “he will save his people from their sins” «And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. », (Matthew 1:21). Salvation is exclusively found in the name of Jesus, as it is the only name authorized by God to bestow salvation upon humanity.

In Acts 4:11, Peter referenced Psalm 118:22 to elucidate to the religious leaders that their rejection of Jesus, His crucifixion, and subsequent resurrection were all integral to God’s redemptive plan. These leaders understood from Scripture that the God of Israel is the sole Savior (Isaiah 43:11;Hosea 13:4). Peter affirmed that God had entrusted the role of salvation to Jesus by sending His Son to dwell among us.(John 1:1-3, 14), to atone for our sins through His own death on the cross (Romans 3:25; Romans 5:9; Romans 8:32; Hebrews 2:17; 1 John 4:10) so that we who believe in Him might obtain eternal life (John 3:15; 1 John 5:11). The name of Jesus—the power, authority, and person of Jesus—was bestowed upon humanity by God so that they could be saved.

What does it mean that there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved? Simply put, there is no other individual who can rescue us. Only Jesus saves. John 3:16–17 conveys the good news: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”