“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
My Notes
What Does Acts 4:12 Mean?
Peter declares before the Jewish council that salvation is exclusively through Jesus. No other name under heaven has been given among men by which we must be saved. The exclusivity is total.
"Neither is there salvation in any other" eliminates alternatives. Peter is not offering Jesus as one option among many. He is declaring him the only option.
"None other name under heaven given among men" — the scope covers all of heaven and all of earth. Every name that has ever been spoken, every system that has ever been proposed, every path that has ever been walked — none of them save. Only this name.
Peter speaks this with extraordinary boldness. He and John have just been arrested for healing a lame man in Jesus' name. The authorities want them to stop. Peter's response is: we cannot stop, because there is no alternative. This name is the only way.
Reflection Questions
- 1.How do you respond to the exclusivity of this claim — does it anchor you or unsettle you?
- 2.What gives Peter the boldness to make this declaration while under arrest?
- 3.How do you share the exclusive claims of Christ with grace rather than arrogance?
- 4.What does it mean that this name was 'given' — who gave it and why does that matter?
Devotional
There is none other name. In a world that values inclusivity and keeping options open, Peter slams every door but one.
This is Christianity's most exclusive claim — and it is made by a fisherman standing trial, not by a theologian in a lecture hall. Peter had nothing to gain from this declaration. It was about to get him beaten. He said it anyway.
The name of Jesus is not one path among many. It is the only name given under heaven for salvation. That is either arrogant or true. And Peter, who watched Jesus die and saw him alive again, was certain it was true.
This verse will offend some and anchor others. For those it anchors: the exclusivity is not narrow-mindedness. It is the natural conclusion of believing that Jesus is who he said he is. If he is the way, the truth, and the life, then other paths, however sincere, lead somewhere else.
For those it offends: Peter invites you to examine the name before you dismiss the claim. The evidence walked out of a tomb.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Neither is there salvation in any other,.... Meaning not corporeal healing, but spiritual and eternal salvation; the…
Neither is there salvation - The word “salvation” properly denotes any “preservation,” or keeping anything in a “safe”…
Neither is there salvation in any other - No kind of healing, whether for body or soul, can come through any but him who…
We have here the trial of Peter and John before the judges of the ecclesiastical court, for preaching a sermon…
Neither is there salvation in any other Rather, And our salvation is not in any other. The article with the noun (ἡ…
Cross References
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