Ac4:7-12 Salvation in No Other

# Salvation in <br> No Other
## Acts 4:7-12

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# Is there **hope** <br> for our world?

>>>
+ We read of disciples' **faith**
  + rapid **growth** of early church
  + many **miracles** and wonders
  + **fearless** amid persecution
+ Was that only for **then**?
+ Will we today have **boldness** to
  + **tell** others who Jesus is
  + even if it causes **offense**
  + because only **one** way to be saved

---

But you will receive **power** <br>
when the **Holy Spirit** has come upon you; <br>
and you will be my **witnesses**

in **Jerusalem** [(ch2-7)](# "ref"), <br>
and in all **Judea and Samaria** [(ch8-11)](# "ref"), <br>
and to the **end of the earth** [(ch12-28)](# "ref").

[Acts 1:8 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ Book of **Acts**:
  + after Jesus' death, **resurrection**
  + Jesus' **ascension** and
  + the start of NT **church**
+ 1:8 **outline** of the book:
  + locally in **Jerusalem**
  + surrounding **region** after Stephen is killed
  + to the **end of the earth**
+ **Today's** passage is in first part:
  + Peter+John heal **cripple** outside temple courts

---
+ With the **Crippled** Man 
  + [(3:1-11)](# "ref") *no silver or gold* ...
+ To the **Crowds** 
  + [(3:12-26)](# "ref") *repent and turn back* ...
+ To the **Sanhedrin** 
  + [(4:1-22)](# "ref") *salvation in no one else* ...
+ With the **Believers** 
  + [(4:23-31)](# "ref") *grant [us] all boldness* ...

>>>
+ Focus today not on **miracle** itself
  + (read more in ch3)
+ But on Peter's **response** when
  + asked to give **explanation**
+ To **crowds** who acted in **ignorance**, Peter says:
  + **repent** for forgiveness of sin
  + God brings times of **refreshing**
+ To unrepentant ruling **council**:
  + bold **proclamation**
  + only way to be **saved**:

******
[7](# "ref")
And when they had set them in the midst, <br>
they inquired,

“By what power or by what name <br>
did you do this?”

[Acts 4:7 (ESV) (p.1/4)](# "ref")

******
[8](# "ref")
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, <br>
said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders,

[9](# "ref")
if we are being examined today concerning <br>
a good deed done to a crippled man, <br>
by what means this man has been healed,

[Acts 4:8-9 (ESV) (p.2/4)](# "ref")

******
[10](# "ref")
let it be known to all of you <br>
and to all the people of Israel

that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, <br>
whom you crucified, <br>
whom God raised from the dead —

by him this man is standing before you well.

[Acts 4:10 (ESV) (p.3/4)](# "ref")

******
[11](# "ref")
This Jesus is the stone <br>
that was rejected by you, the builders, <br>
which has become the cornerstone.

[12](# "ref")
And there is salvation in no one else,<br>
for there is no other name under heaven<br>
given among men by which we must be saved.”

[Acts 4:11-12 (ESV) (p.4/4)](# "ref")

---

## Acts 4:7-12
1. Let the **Story** Be Known [(v10)](# "ref") <br>
  
1. The **Stone** Rejected [(v11)](# "ref") <br>
  
1. **Salvation** in No Other [(v12)](# "ref") <br>

>>>
+ Show **mercy** to others
  + give **credit** to Jesus the Healer
  + lay out **who** Jesus is
+ Expect **opposition** to God's truth
  + the **majority** will not recognise Jesus' importance
+ **Proclaim** Jesus is the **only** way
  + **exclusivity**

---

if we are being examined today concerning <br>
a **good deed** done to a crippled man, <br>
by what means this man has been **healed**,

[Acts 4:9 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Nicolas Poussin, "Saints Peter and John Healing the Lame Man", 1655. <br> Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York](https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/437330 "caption")

>>>
+ **good deed**: act of mercy
  + but more than a **miracle**
+ **healing**: same root as **saved**
  + **rescue** from ext threat, harm
  + **preserve**, sustain
  + Heb: narrow confines ⇒ **open space**
+ not merely **physical** illness
  + not to be **comfortable**
  + not to pursue our **dreams**
+ **rescue**: from curse of **sin**
+ our **healing** (saved from sin, new life)
  + is a **testimony** to Christ's power
+ when **Peter**, John are before **Council**
  + not just **two** of them:

---

But seeing the man who was **healed** <br>
**standing** beside them, <br>
they had **nothing** to say in opposition

[Acts 4:14 (ESV)](# "ref")
["Apostles Peter and John Heal the Lame Man", <br> photomechanical after Raphael](https://wellcomecollection.org/works/qsy3sjt6 "caption")

>>>
+ healed man **said** nothing
  + just **standing**
+ in same way, our **testimony** is
  + **rescued** from sin
  + made **whole**
  + **reconciled** w/God
+ **silence** the critics
  + not by our **piety**
  + but our **trust** in God:

---

Men of Israel, why do you **wonder** at this, <br>
or why do you **stare** at us,

as though by our own **power** or **piety** <br>
we have made him walk?

[Acts 3:12 (ESV)](# "ref")
["Apostles Peter and John Heal the Lame Man", <br> engraving after Raphael](https://wellcomecollection.org/works/sgrs33gy "caption")

>>>
+ **rescued**: what **God** has done
  + not what **I** have done
  + not by **own** holiness
+ e.g., "look at you, you're no **saint**!"
+ give **credit** to Christ:

---

let it be **known** to all of you ...

that by the name of **Jesus Christ** of Nazareth, <br>
whom you **crucified**, <br>
whom God **raised** from the dead —

by him this man is **standing** before you well.

[Acts 4:10 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Aaron Burden](https://unsplash.com/photos/09AhDCedXF8 "caption")

>>>
+ I want you to **know**:
  + declaration of **fact**
  + tell the **truth** about Christ
+ person of Jesus still **fresh** in minds:
  + **Nazareth**: upbringing in Galilee
  + **crucified**: you deemed him liar
  + **raised**: we are witnesses
+ in **our** culture:
  + many **misconceptions** of Jesus
  + fail to understand God's **holiness**
  + ⇒ mistake **sin** for **judging** others
  + ⇒ **grace** foreign concept
+ **tell** them **why** Jesus's death matters
  + and why **resurrection**
  + is worthy of **celebration**
+ not just for **pastors**, theologians:

---

when they saw the **boldness** of Peter and John, <br>
and perceived that they were <br>
**uneducated**, **common** men, <br>
they were astonished.

And they recognized that <br>
they had been **with Jesus**.

[Acts 4:13 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Nikolas Bodarevsky, "Trial of the Apostle Paul", 1875](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ANikolai_Bodarevsky_001.jpg "caption")

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+ **boldness**: free speech, unafraid
+ **uneducated**: illiterate, w/o grammar
  + **common**: idiot, non-expert
+ **been with**: known for our **trust** in Christ
+ after **released**, w/believers:
  + pray for **boldness**:

---

And now, Lord, look upon their **threats**  <br>
and grant to your servants to continue  <br>
to **speak** your word with all **boldness**,

while you stretch out your hand to **heal**,  <br>
and **signs** and wonders are performed  <br>
through the **name** of  <br>
your holy servant Jesus.

[Acts 4:29 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Milada Vigerova](https://unsplash.com/photos/pHR_S0PeOF0 "caption")

>>>
+ not just by **living** a holy life
+ also **speak** God's Word **freely**
+ God performs **healing** in our hearts
  + **signs** to point to His power
  + **wonders** that draw attention

---

# How will I make <br> the **name** of Jesus <br> be **known**?

>>>
+ **trust** Him in obedience
+ received **grace** ⇒ **show** grace
+ as He **heals**, pointing to His **power**
+ **speak** freely the gospel message

---

## Acts 4:7-12
1. Let the Story Be Known [(v10)](# "ref") <br>
  
1. **The Stone Rejected** [(v11)](# "ref") <br>
  
1. Salvation in No Other [(v12)](# "ref") <br>

>>>
+ testimony in **conduct** and **word**
+ we must **proclaim** boldly,
  + not only to those who will **believe**
+ but even those who have **rejected**:

---

This Jesus is the **stone** <br>
that was **rejected** by you, the **builders**, <br>
which has become the **cornerstone**.

[Acts 4:11 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Edouard Moyse, "Le Grand Sanhedrin", 1868](# "caption")

>>>
+ brought before **Sanhedrin**
  + "lead together"
  + keepers of heritage, **community**
+ entrusted to **build** a way for
  + **laity** to **worship** God
+ as **builders** searching for quality **granite**
+ yet **rejected** (deem as nothing, disdain)
  + what they **most** needed
+ not just **religious** leaders
  + **Pascal** (math, theology):

---

What else does this **craving**, <br>
and this **helplessness**, proclaim ...?

This he tries in vain to **fill** <br>
with **everything** around him, <br>
though none can help,

since this infinite **abyss** can be filled <br>
only ... by **God himself**

[Blaise Pascal, "Pensees"](# "ref")
[Strumble Head Lighthouse, UK. Dylan Roberts](https://unsplash.com/photos/ndsRLeQBlsA "caption")

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+ all search for **worship**
+ rescue from **contradiction**:
  + **desire** to be holy, but
  + **unable** to carry it out
+ attempt to **fill** the void
  + but **refuse** to seek God
+ Peter in Acts quotes **Psalm 118**:

---

The stone that the builders **rejected** <br>
has become the **cornerstone**.

[23](# "ref")
This is the **LORD**'s doing; <br>
it is **marvelous** in our eyes.

[Psalm 118:22-23 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Julian Böck](https://unsplash.com/photos/agS-BtrQZrs "caption")

>>>
+ although Christ was **rejected**
  + abhor, contempt
+ in God's **wisdom** / plan
  + became the **head** of corner
  + **capstone** of arch
  + **preeminent** and **essential**
+ **marvelous**: surpassing, beyond us
  + "not what I would have done"
+ this **truth** does not change:
  + Christ is only **way** to be saved
+ **denying** it only **hurts** ourselves

---

Behold, I am laying in Zion a **stone**, <br>
a **cornerstone** chosen and precious,

and whoever **believes** in him <br>
will not be put to **shame**.

[1 Peter 2:6 (cf Isaiah 28:16) (ESV) (p.1/2)](# "ref")
[Elephant Rock, Australia. Jordan Donaldson](https://unsplash.com/photos/FAVdyq1Qz24 "caption")

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+ those who **believe** (chosen people):
  + are **built** up as living **stones**
  + as spiritual **house**
+ but those who **disbelieve**:

---

But for those who do **not believe**, ...

[8](# "ref")
“A stone of **stumbling**, <br>
and a rock of **offense**.”

They stumble because they **disobey** the word, <br>
as they were **destined** to do.

[1 Peter 2:7,8 (cf Isaiah 8:14) (ESV) (p.2/2)](# "ref")
[Elephant Rock, Australia. Jordan Donaldson](https://unsplash.com/photos/FAVdyq1Qz24 "caption")

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+ **stumble**: strike against (in anger)
  + **offense**: deem scandalous
+ **disobey**: dis-believe, refuse, rebel
  + **destined**: into which were appointed/set

---

# Is Jesus a <br> rock of **stumbling** to me or <br> the **cornerstone**?

>>>
+ am I willing to **proclaim**
+ even if it causes **offense**,
  + some to **reject**?

---

## Acts 4:7-12
1. Let the Story Be Known [(v10)](# "ref") <br>
  
1. The Stone Rejected [(v11)](# "ref") <br>
  
1. **Salvation in No Other** [(v12)](# "ref") <br>

>>>
+ proclaim **testimony**: word + deed
+ in search for **truth**, many will
  + look to all other **stones**
  + but **reject** the cornerstone
+ But God did not make salvation **hard** to find
  + did not **leave** us struggling in sin
  + but **revealed** the name of Jesus
+ Peter **closes** his defense to the Sanhedrin:

---

And there is salvation in **no one else**,

for there is **no other name** under heaven<br>
given among men by which we must be saved.

[Acts 4:12 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Aaron Burden](https://unsplash.com/photos/09AhDCedXF8 "caption")

>>>
+ **emphatic**: "it is not in another, not even one, the salvation"
  + *(Καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν ἄλλῳ οὐδενὶ ἡ σωτηρία)*
+ **parallel**: "for neither is there a different name"
  + *(οὐδὲ γὰρ ὄνομά ἐστιν ἕτερον)*
+ in a **Name**: not an action, religion, lifestyle
+ power of Jesus' name:

---

... in the name of **Jesus Christ** <br>
I pray, **Amen**

>>>
+ why **pray** in Jesus' name?
+ **clarify** who we are praying to
+ **confirm** our identity as kept in His name
+ **claim** His promises

---

And there is salvation in no one else,

for there is no other name under heaven<br>
**given** among men by which we must be **saved**.

[Acts 4:12 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Aaron Burden](https://unsplash.com/photos/09AhDCedXF8 "caption")

>>>
+ **given**: God did not leave us to sin/brokenness
  + gave us way out
  + plan of **salvation**
+ why **exclusive**: no other name?
  + what does it mean to be **saved**?
+ to have **eternal life**?
  + get **old** but never die? (horrible)
  + harps + **halos**? (boring)

---

And this is **eternal life**: <br>
that they know you, the **only true God**, <br>
and **Jesus Christ** whom you have sent.

[John 17:3 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Geran de Klerk, Gävle, Sweden](https://unsplash.com/photos/WJkc3xZjSXw "caption")

>>>
+ to **know** + be known: relationship
+ only one true **Creator** ⇒
  + only one **way** to be saved
+ God's **plan**: God **sent**
  + Jesus: **Saviour**
  + Christ: **Anointed** / commissioned
+ what must **we** do?
  + Peter to **crowds** in ch3:

---

**Repent** therefore, and **turn** back, <br>
that your sins may be **blotted out**,

that times of **refreshing** may come <br>
from the presence of the Lord,

[20](# "ref")
and that he may send <br>
the **Christ** appointed for you, Jesus

[Acts 3:20 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Gabby Orcutt](https://unsplash.com/photos/9mzGpUpqUpw "caption")

>>>
+ change **direction**
  + what we **chase** after
  + deem as **worthy**, successful
+ **turn** towards Christ
+ **hope**: clean slate, new heart
+ **refreshing**: make **new**
+ send **Christ**:
  + **returning** soon to judge world
  + **lives** in our hearts

---

# What is the **hope** <br> for our world?

>>>
+ essential problem of **sin**:
  + want to be **righteous**, good
  + unable to **do** so
+ no hope for the **world**
  + destined for **destruction**
+ but **each** of us has a choice
+ faced with the **truth** that
  + one true Creator **sent** His Son
+ ⇒ take **offense** / disdain?
  + or **repent** + **trust**

---

There is **salvation** in no one else,<br>
for there is **no other name** under heaven<br>
given among men by which we must be **saved**.

[Acts 4:12 (ESV)](# "ref")
[St. Cuthbert's Isle, UK. <br> © 2008 Ian Britton, CC-BY-NC 2.0](https://www.flickr.com/photos/freefoto/2552357124 "caption")

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