Acts 4:12 - JESUS; The Only Way!
Acts 4:12 (NCV) Jesus is the only One who
can save people. His name is the only power in
the world that has been given to save people. We
must be saved through him.
INTRODUCTION
The great principles of the law, of the very
nature of God, are embodied in the words of Christ
on the mount. Whoever builds upon them is
building upon Christ, the Rock of Ages. In receiving
the word, we receive Christ. And only those who
thus receive His words are building upon Him.
"Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid,
which is Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 3:11. "There
is none other name under heaven, given among
men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12.
Christ, the Word, the revelation of God,--the
manifestation of His character, His law, His love, His
life,--is the only foundation upon which we can build
a character that will endure As you receive
the word in faith, it will give you power to
obey. As you give heed to the light you have,
greater light will come. You are building on God's
word, and your character will be builded after the
similitude of the character of Christ. MB148-150
Wherever there is an impulse of love and
sympathy, wherever the heart reaches out to bless and
uplift others, there is revealed the working of
God's Holy Spirit. In the depths of heathenism,
men who have had no knowledge of the written law
of God, who have never even heard the name of
Christ, have been kind to His servants, protecting
them at the risk of their own lives. Their acts
show the working of a divine power. The Holy
Spirit has implanted the grace of Christ in the
heart of the savage, quickening his sympathies
contrary to his nature, contrary to his education.
The "Light which lighteth every man that cometh
into the world" (John 1:9), is shining in his
soul; and this light, if heeded, will guide his
feet to the kingdom of God. COL385
COMMENTARY PEARLS
Shoes can be cool. Really cool. Popular
shoemakers allow you to customize every detail on their
website. You start by selecting the outside shoe
material. Pick the color. Choose the tip and heel
setup. Then search through midsole and strap
colors. After picking your lining and laces, you can
write a personalized message to appear on the
tongue of your shoes. Just one more click and your
shoes will be created according to your exact
specifications.
Sixty years ago, if you wanted an
athletic shoe, your choices were limited. Converse
All-Stars were popular, along with Spalding and
Adidas. Color choices were even narrower, unless you
liked white. Today you can customize bright,
technologically advanced footwear to fit your personality.
And it's not just shoes that can be tweaked
anyway you like. Book companies allow parents or
grandparents to inject a child's name into a story. Toy
companies will let you create a teddy bear with a
baby's name stitched into it. Whatever you want can
be made just for you. Don't you feel special?
We live in a mix-and-match world. From
sub sandwiches to dolls to religion, people want
to pick and choose what makes them feel good.
They may like the Jesus who hugged children and
walked on water. But the Jesus who said to have
faith and follow him makes them uncomfortable.
They embrace the "soft" Jesus and combine that
belief with other religions. The blending of
different religions is called syncretism. And that's a
bad idea.
Being able to customize your beliefs,
like putting together a plate of food at a
massive buffet, sounds enticing. But it will leave a
bad taste in your mouth. The Bible teaches there
is only one way - God's way. After Jesus was
crucified and rose from the dead, his disciples
traveled around telling people the good news. In Acts
4 Peter and John appear before the religious
leaders who ask, "By what name did you do this?"
Peter answers plainly. He explains that Jesus is
the cornerstone of true faith and declares,
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no
other name under heaven given to mankind by which
we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
Picking and choosing can be fun when it
comes to shoes, but when it comes to your beliefs,
only one choice is right. And that's Jeans
Christ. [Case For Christ For Kids by Les Strobel]
After seventeen years as a Christian,
Im still looking for a savior. No, not a savior
of the spiritual variety. Someone to bail me
out, clean up my mess, tell me what to do. Not
mere help. Rescue. At times, Ive cast my
husband, a friend, or a family member in this role,
straining our bonds. Other times, Ive sought
someone else - for pay or for pity. Or some
codependent fixer finds me. Over and over, my spirits
are buoyed with the false hope of salvation from
whatever or whomever. I think, Finally a rescuer! Now
I can let go! Inevitably the miscast messiah
disappoints. I bail. They bail. The problem remains.
In John 16:7, Jesus tells us Hes
sending the Holy Spirit, an advocate or helper,
among other roles. Isaiah 9:6 (NLT) tells us God
was graciously giving us His Son, a Wonderful
Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of
Peace. Read that again. In other words, the
ultimate life management consultant: A perfect,
all-knowing, loving, and stable Dad, all-powerful yet
serene. Wow. While Jesus urges us to seek wise
counsel, we were never meant to seek substitute
saviors. Indeed, its the number-one sin in the Ten
Commandments.
Even while I seek the caring counsel of
loving friends, there is One who ultimately has all
the answers and comfort I want. Jesus: the
Savior who forgives even my misguided idolatries.
When I seek Him, I find the One that I have
always been looking for. He is the One who holds
the universe in His hands and placed the stars
in the sky. Jesus alone is able to bring the
hope and salvation we all truly need. by Isabella
Yosuico
Faith Step: Today, carry all your cares
to your perfect personal Advocate and
Counselor, the only Savior you will ever need. Jesus.
[Mornings With Jesus 2020 Devotional by Guideposts and
Zondervan]
ONE LINERS
John 14:6 (KJV) Jesus saith unto him, I am
the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh
unto the Father, but by me;
Isaiah 43:11 (KJV) I, even I, am the LORD;
and beside me there is no saviour.
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE
Acts 4:12 - JESUS: The Only Way!
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2015/20150617-1022.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David
DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides:
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Revelation Now by Pastor Doug Batchelor
(recent): https://www.revelationnow.com/
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio (recent):
https://bible.awr.org/en/the-signs/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
