Soap Box 35- SALVATION, SAVED, THE SAVIOUR AND ACTS 4:12

The word, "salvation" in the English translation comes from two words in the Greek text that are recognizable by two different word-endings (soteeria and soteerion ). This word, "salvation" is found six times in Acts in the KJV : Acts 4:12; 7:25; 13:26, 47 ; 16:17; 27:34 with the "ria" ending and one time, 28:28, with the "rion" ending. In the entire KJV New Testament, this word for "salvation" (with the "rion" ending) is found only four times : Luke 2:30; 3:6; Acts 28:28 and by Paul in Ephesians 6:17. The word, "Saviour" is found two times in the Book of Acts : 5:31; 13:23. The word "save"/"saved" is found in Acts 4:12 and in Acts 2:21,40,47; 4:9, 11:14; 14:9; 15:1, 11; 16:30, 31; 27:20, 31.

Those who "count" words and call this "counting", Bible study, might conclude that there is not much said in the twenty-eight chapters of Acts on the subjects of "salvation" and "Saviour". There are others, who may think that a word has basically only one meaning as we look into our English translations. And, there are still others who see a rainbow of meanings in a single word and all verses with that particular word should not be translated the same way through out the Bible, necessarily, but would let the context contribute to the best way it should/could be translated.

In translation work, there are at least two different schools. One position strives to translate on a word-for-word basis from the Greek to the English. This is sometimes called a "literal" translation. The KJV and the RSV are in this school ( as this writer sees it ). Another position strives to translate the intended thought or idea that the Greek word/words have and now needs to be expressed into English. The Phillips Modern English and the New English Bible are examples. Those in this school of translation believe that the Greek language has a richness of meaning and diversity that makes it impossible in many contexts to translate on a word-for-word basis from Greek to English.

With this background information, this paper would like to compare the texts in Acts that have the word "salvation" with various translations and then draw some conclusions that will contribute to a better understanding on the Bible. The key text under the searchlight of this investigation will be Acts 4:12 :

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name
under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

At first glance, one might easily believe that Peter is now referring to the subject of salvation from sin, death and eternal destiny. This is a verse among many others, that has been listed in courses on personal evangelism as a witnessing tool, to present evidence of the unique claims of Christ as the one and only Saviour. If man finally realizes there is a need to be saved from some thing and that Christ offers this salvation, we must be saved by him ( if we are to be saved at all).

The writer of this paper believes that salvation comes only through believing Jesus Christ as the unique and only Saviour of mankind.

It is just that the writer does not believe that this verse, in this context, is speaking about this very same subject.

In the context, Acts 3:1-4:31, the subject under consideration is the healing of a certain lame man, ( 3:2, 11 ) a man above forty years old, ( 4:22 ) upon whom a SIGN of healing had taken place, "this miracle of healing was shewed" (KJV).

The context uses the word "saved" twice, in 4:9 and in 4:12. Notice carefully how differently one understands Acts 4:12, when Acts 4:9-12 is read with this knowledge and insight.

"if we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man,
by what means he is saved ( is made whole-KJV); be it known unto you all,
and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified,
whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is
the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under
heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

This shows the connection of the "salvation" and "saved" of 4:12 is speaking and referring to the "saved", "made whole" of 4:9, which concerns the physical not things spiritual. The continuing story with the following verses help to confirm the continuity of the same subject- physical healing/deliverance/salvation.

Acts 4:14 : "And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it."

Acts 4:16 : "Saying, What shall we do to these men ? for indeed a notable miracle (SIGN) hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it."

Acts 4:22 : "For the man was above forty years old, upon whom this miracle (SIGN) of healing was shewed."

Acts 4:30 : .."By stretching forth thy hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child (servant) Jesus."

The story begins with a lame man (Acts 3:2) who was made to walk (Acts 3:12).

This man was made strong (enough to be able to walk) and given "this perfect soundness"

Acts 3:16 The entire context, from the beginning until the ending, from Acts 3:1 until Acts 4:31, we read of a healing, a deliverance, a salvation. But these are three words describing a single event. The healing is a salvation and the salvation is the healing. We are dealing not with two or three matters, only one.

The Authentic New Testament by Hugh J. Schonfield translates Acts 4:12 this way :

"Deliverance by any other name there is none; for in all the world no other name has been provided by which we should be delivered."

The healing is a deliverance from a birth defect unto a state of being a normal person. The salvation is a deliverance out from a physical deformity unto a state of natural and normal physical being.

Peter's sermon in 3:12-26 is based upon the fact that the one who performed this deliverance was the very one that the people of Israel had denied, killed and had requested that a murderer be granted unto them (3:12-15). But God was working through this Jesus and God raised him from the dead. This was all according to the prophets.

They are then invited to repent of their past rejection and denial of Jesus as Christ and be converted, that their sins may be blotted out.

After all of this preaching there was a continuing ministry to the people ( Acts 4:1).It is here that the Apostles, Peter and John, are arrested and the next day are again confronted about this "healing".

"Saved" is mentioned in Acts 27:20, during Paul's trip to Rome, where a storm was going to take away "all hope that we should be saved. " They were concerned that they may not escape from the storm, but die. When they crew was going to bail out from the ship, Paul warned the centurion and the soldiers on board, "Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved ( through the storm). Acts 27:31 Paul then exhorts all to eat, "Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your salvation-Greek text ( health-KJV; strength-RSV; well-being-Phillips; your lives depend on it-NEB (Acts 27:34).

Acts 4:12 has been used to teach the need of salvation and used as a case for evidence that Jesus is the name of the only Saviour. But this study shows that this verse is really teaching deliverance, healing, salvation from a physical problem.

We learn here that it is not so much as to what word is used, but what is the context where this particular word is found and used. The context shows us that it is physical salvation/deliverance that is being considered, rather than spiritual salvation.

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