The One and Only One
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The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people.
2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.5 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem .
6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 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, 10 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. 11 Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God.
29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
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No othr name given whereby we must be saved
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22 The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone
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“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life, only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
TV series often begin with ‘Previously’ to get the context. You can often skip the previous, but we must not do that here. Previously they have witnessed a spectacular miracle - a man disabled from birth was healed at the temple gates –(Acts 3:6 (silver & Gold….) 3:11 People come running to Solomon’s Colonnade astonished). Phenomenal church growth followed now 5000 men in Jerusalem. Luke writes that the drama, is not just that a disabled man is healed but that Jesus, though he was dead, is alive and still doing miracles through these apostles. These disciples proclaim the resurrection as fact – Luke records the drama.
What happened next? Persecution, Proclamation, Prayer – Three P’s in a pod!
Persecution
Proclamation
Prayer
Persecution?
Note the strategy of the enemy (the devil). He is trying to stop Christian witness and proclamation of the good news and the name of Jesus.
See how the leaders and teachers high priest are all united in opposition there are echoes of Herod and Pilate in union at the trial of Jesus. Some are the same opponents that tried Jesus - Sadducees, priests, Caiaphas and Annas. They never agreed about other things but here they are in harmony against the Good News of Jesus. Unbelief unites opposites. These are strategies of the enemy to quell the spread of the message of Jesus, to silence your tongue. We face similar opposition today, worldly and religious opposition.
It was a ridiculous reaction to such a miracle to ask ‘In whose name do you do this?’ The religious leaders wanted to know if it was a name that they would tolerate. They had no interest in the act of kindness towards this disabled man (v9). Persecution revealed their pettiness, their spiritual blindness and their ego and pride. They were more concerned about the apostles' authority than the miracle.
So, they told Peter and John to shut it. Stop preaching in Jesus’ name. They threatened them and put them in a cooler for the night to cool off. There would be no coiling off, these men were on fire with Holy Spirit power. The persecution was nothing in comparison to their loyalty to Jesus. This is not a cause they believe in this is a person they love – they will not be silenced. There is nothing they can do to you beyond intimidation. They can send you to eternity but cannot take eternal life from you.
Polycarp (Bishop of Smyrna in modern-day Turkey). Heard a voice from heaven saying “Be strong, Polycarp and play the man!” He was arrested for refusing to declare Caesar as Lord and denounce Jesus as Lord. As he was sentenced to death he said about his Lord Jesus, ‘86 years have I have served him, and he has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and my Saviour?’ He was burnt at the stake and stabbed as he died.
Dr M L Jones said * when you are faced with unbelief….
“preach Jesus Christ - His person, His resurrection, that he is the only Saviour”
Proclamation
The response of Peter and John was to proclaim the Gospel. In answer to (Acts4:7) “By what power or what name did you do this?” v8 Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit said v9 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, 10 then know this…. 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 11 Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ 12 Salvation is found in no one else…
Peter proclaimed (1) the historical identity of Jesus (2) the messianic prophecies about Jesus Ps 118 and (3) that God had raised Jesus whom you had crucified. (4) Peter proclaims that this man stands healed. The words healed v10 and saved v12 are the same word here. Christ’s healing and saving power is revealed in this man's life. Peter proclaims the power of Jesus to save physically and eternally in this miracle of the healed man. NB Peter’s boldness – a God-given boldness – his reply rooted in scripture. Acts 3: 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. 18 But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets… Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” That’s how that man is walking and leaping & praising.
Throughout the history of the church, bold proclamation of the Gospel and sharing testimony has brought people to Christ. We can be confident in the truth we proclaim and here it is in a nutshell – Jesus who was crucified was raised from the dead and v12 there is salvation through no other name. Salvation, healing, freedom, forgiveness, cleansing, eternal life and more.
Our challenge is to be bold about Jesus and our testimony - people will react – persecute or pursue. [Illustr Ian Pearson] Notice the boldness of these men under such pressure and persecution. Far greater than what we face today. ‘There is no other name’. It was a hate crime then and it could be today no other name not Buddha Confucius not Caesar or any emperor is Lord. Jesus alone is Lord and Saviour. The Good Shepherd, yes they are shepherds but Jesus said in John 10:8 all other shepherds are ‘thieves and robbers.’ Exclusivity is offensive in society today. The Christian claim is that Jesus is the one and only, there is one way to God and that is through Jesus who said in John 14:6 I the way. (Elsewhere I am the door, I am the light of the world, I am the bread of life, I am the vine, I am the resurrection. If you go around Coventry cathedral you will see the ‘I am’ plaques around the side it's very powerful).
Pluralism means that all views of religion are equally valid – all roads lead to Rome.
A Muslim chaplain who I worked with in the NHS at Leeds frequently said ‘We all pray to God.’ Many Christians are liberal on this issue - maybe you are too. A liberal view would be to say that as long as you have faith in God there are many ways - Buddha, Islam, Moses, Hinduism, Jesus - all equally valid. But not according to Acts chapter 4:12. There is no other name under heaven whereby we must be saved. I would not dare to say to God there should be many ways to you. That makes Jesus' sinless life and sacrifice pointless.
Proclaim it in whatever way you can, there is only one healer saviour deliverer protector of our souls, only one who said ‘those whoever believes in me will have eternal life’ (John 3:16).
When churches are timid about the Good News they try other gimmicks: Helter-skelter, silent discos, music concerts, green stuff, inclusive stuff and worst of all pluralism – inclusive of all faiths. The message is about buildings, being good stewards, and saying the right thing and being inclusive of all religions. When we are timid and compromise we lose our witness, we have no witness at all. Hear again Peter in Acts 4:12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Prayer
If you share Peter’s urgency then pray for Peter’s boldness, take risks with your friends, relatives and neighbours. They will not call upon the name of the Lord apart from the proclamation of the Gospel. Read again what happened next as Peter and John were released, what did they do - PRAY.
Acts 4: 23 Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. …..29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
That's some prayer request! v31 says the church was shaking - with the power of the spirit after that!
What were those prayers? Notice there is no request for protection!
They make two requests.
[1] they ask for boldness to share the good news(v29).
[2] For God to continue healings, signs and wonders to show that their message is God’s word (v.30) that they would continue the ministry.
We too must Pray, do not think your prayers are insignificant, be deliberate about praying.
Twenty five years ago, Pete Greig never could have imagined that a simple idea to have a prayer room and invite people to pray 24/7 could multiply to reach over 50 nations and millions of people in a matter of months. Today 24/7 is a massive Christian community of people committed to prayer, mission and justice.
Do not underestimate the importance or the power of prayer.
[1] Pray that we will not give in to pluralism. The Bible is our authority Acts 4:12 says no other. Society today encourages a tolerance of every faith and none – pluralistic society. But it is flawed.
[2] Pray as intercessors for the lost. For your friends, relatives and neighbours. Intercede that they will hear and understand that the Good news is that there is no other name under heaven given to humanity whereby we can be saved.
[3] Pray for boldness, for eagerness, for mission zeal. As Peter did in Acts 4:29.
When you pray these prayers it will impact on your friends, on this community, this Island and on the ministry of this church here and beyond.
* The Martyrdom of Polycarp. Translated by J.B. Lightfoot. Abridged and modernized by Stephen Tomkins. Edited and prepared for the web by Dan Graves.
