Theological Sketch-Book 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. I. WHAT IS IMPLIED. That there is salvation for us in Christ, we appeal — 1. To the typical representations of Christ. There were a great variety of sacrifices under the law which typified the Lord Jesus Christ. 2. To the positive declarations concerning Him. Nothing can be conceived more clear and strong than the Scripture declarations of Christ's sufficiency to save. How forcibly has the prophet marked the extent (Isaiah 45:22), the fulness (Isaiah 1:18), and the freeness (Isaiah 55:1, 2) of His salvation! 3. To matter of fact. We can draw aside the veil of heaven, and point to some before the throne of God who are such monuments of grace as leave no doubt respecting the sufficiency of Christ to save any others whatsoever. Let us now turn our attention to — II. WHAT IS EXPRESSED. It is of infinite importance to every one of us to know that, as there is salvation for us in Christ, so "there is no salvation in any other." 1. There is not. (1) In whom else can we find the requisites of a Saviour? In whom can we find a sufficiency, either of merit to justify, or of power to renew, a sinner? If we should apply to the highest angel in heaven to give us of his merit, he would tell us that "he himself is only an unprofitable servant; for that he does no more than is his duty to do" (Luke 17:10). If we should intreat him to change our hearts, he would confess his utter inability to effect so great a work. Shall we then look to ourselves? We are full of sin. (2) If there were any other Saviour, the most eminent of God's servants would have had some intimation of it. Abraham (Romans 4:3-5); David would probably have been acquainted with such an important fact in order to his own salvation; but he sought refuge in none but Christ (Psalm 51:7). We might hope at least that some information of this kind would have been given to the Apostle Paul (Philippians 3:9; 1 Corinthians 2:2). 2. There cannot be. We are warranted by the Scriptures to say that, consistently with His honour, as the Moral Governor of the universe, man could not have been saved without a Mediator: nor could any Mediator besides Jesus have been found to execute all that was necessary for our salvation. But there is yet another ground on which we may deny that any other could save us, namely, that if we were indebted to any other, either for righteousness or strength, we could not join in the songs of the redeemed in heaven, but must separate from the heavenly choir (Revelation 7:9, 10), and ascribe to ourselves, or to some other, the honour of our salvation. And how would this comport with the dignity of Jehovah, who has determined "that no flesh should glory in His presence"?Address — 1. The careless. Wherefore are men so indifferent about their spiritual concerns? Is it that they are in no danger of perishing? Surely the very circumstance of Christ being sent down from heaven to die for us is enough to alarm all our fears, and to convince us that, if the salvation offered us could be procured by none but Him, the danger of those who are not interested in Him must be inexpressibly great. 2. The self-righteous. It is difficult to convince those who are looking to Christ in part that they are really renouncing Christ altogether. 3. The desponding. By nature and practice. Let none complain as though they were beyond the reach of mercy: for there is nothing impossible with Jesus: "with Him there is mercy; with Him is plenteous redemption; and He shall redeem Israel from all his sins" (Acts 3:16; Acts 4:10). (Theological Sketch-Book.) Parallel Verses KJV: Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. |
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