The Name of Jesus:

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12, New International Version)

In a world racked with relativism and pluralism, true Christianity stands as a beacon of distinctiveness and uniqueness. That's one of the things that makes Christianity the object of derision it is from just about every other belief system the world has ever seen. Christianity currently withstands against two major foes: Relativism and Pluralism. Relativism is the philosophy that there is no objective truth to be found. Truth is subjective and, as such, is to be found on a "case-by-case" basis. One person's truth is another person's error, but since there is no objective truth, debating the point becomes useless. Truth is whatever works for you in any given situation. The phrase, situational ethics, was coined during the presidency of Bill Clinton to describe this very phenomenon.

Closely related to Relativism is Pluralism. Pluralism says that whatever "truth" one finds is just as valid as another's "truth." So not only is truth relative, but with the addition of Pluralism, everyone's "truth" is equally valid, so it becomes incredibly rude to suggest that someone else might be "wrong" in a pluralistic society. From this is becomes obvious as to why Christianity becomes the object of wrath in a pluralistic, relativistic society. Christianity believes not only in objective truth, but also in the error of those who don't conform to this objective truth. This makes the critics attack Christianity as being exclusive. This only reveals the critics lack of understanding regarding this. Yes, Christianity is exclusive as to the means of salvation, but not to whom salvation can be conferred upon. Anyone can receive salvation, but you have to do it on God's terms, not your own.

Today's passage is taken from Acts chapter four. The Apostles Peter and John stand before the Sanhedrin (the Jewish ruling council) because "[the Sanhedrin] were very disturbed that Peter and John were claiming, on the authority of Jesus, that there is a resurrection of the dead" (Acts 4:2). After being questioned by the Sanhedrin, Peter, "filled with the Holy Spirit," responds with today's passage. Peter makes the bold statement that "there is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them." I want to explore this dramatic statement: The name of Jesus is the only name which people can call on to save them.

Ancient near East culture placed a great emphasis on names. Names meant something. Take a look at many of the names given people in the Old Testament, and you will find out that each name is significant. God will often change a person's name when that person is called into His service. For example, He changed Abram's name to Abraham and Jacob's name to Israel. Jesus changed Simon's name to Peter and Saul's name to Paul. In Exodus when God commissioned Moses to lead His people out of Egypt, Moses asked God "whom should I tell them sent me when they ask?" God replied: "I AM THE ONE WHO ALWAYS IS. Just tell them, 'I AM has sent me to you.'" God's very own name speaks of His eternal character as the God who is what He is. God has always been and will always be, and He always is what He is.

How does this relate to Jesus and His name? In the gospel of John, Jesus made seven monumental statements called the "I AM" statements of Jesus. These statements all describe characteristics of Jesus and speak to who He is. In John 6:35, Jesus said, "I am the bread of life. No one who comes to me will ever be hungry again. Those who believe in me will never thirst." In John 8:12, He said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life." In John 10:9, Jesus said, "Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. Wherever they go, they will find green pastures." In John 10:11, He said, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." John 11:25 records Jesus as saying, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die like everyone else, will live again." In John 14:6, Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." Finally, in John 15:5, He said, "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing."

From these seven statements we can discern that Jesus is our spiritual food and drink ("I am the bread of life"), Jesus is our spiritual guide ("I am the light of the world"), Jesus is our path to heaven ("I am the gate"), Jesus is our substitutional sacrifice ("I am the good shepherd"), Jesus is our guarantee of eternal life ("I am the resurrection and the life"), Jesus is our access to God ("I am the way, the truth and the life"), and Jesus is our spiritual power source ("I am the true vine"). Is it any wonder that Peter said that there is no other name in all of heaven by which we can be saved?

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