No Other Name: Jesus Christ The Only Saviour – Acts 4:11–12 Series

No Other Name: Jesus Christ the Only Saviour – Acts 4:11–12

Introduction: An Exclusive Claim in an Inclusive Age

We live in an age that celebrates choice, plurality, and personal truth. The loudest virtue of the 21st century is tolerance, and the greatest sin, it seems, is to say, “This is the only way.” Yet discipleship has never been about cultural comfort. Following Jesus has always required courage, conviction, and clarity.

At the heart of Christianity stands an uncompromising declaration: Jesus Christ is the only Saviour of the world. Not one option among many. Not a helpful spiritual guide. Not a moral teacher who can be added to our already crowded belief system. But the Saviour.

That is not merely a church slogan—it is apostolic proclamation, born in the fire of persecution, sealed by resurrection faith, and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Today we stand with Peter before the authorities of Jerusalem, listening again to words that still shake the world.

Acts 4:11–12 (NLT):

“For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’ There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”

Acts chapter 4 follows the miraculous healing of a man who had been lame from birth (Acts 3). Peter and John, filled with the Holy Spirit, proclaim that this man was healed “by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene”—the very Jesus whom the leaders had crucified.

This proclamation enraged the religious authorities. Peter and John are arrested and dragged before the Sanhedrin—the same court that condemned Jesus. Humanly speaking, this is a moment for fear, compromise, or careful diplomacy.

But instead, Peter preaches Christ.

Acts 4 is not polite theology; it is resurrection-fuelled witness. The early church does not ask, “How will this sound?” but “Is this true?”

1. Jesus the Rejected Stone (v.11)

Peter quotes Psalm 118:22, a messianic psalm well known to the Jewish leaders.

“The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.”

The word cornerstone refers to the foundational stone that determines the alignment, stability, and integrity of the entire structure.

Theological truth: The leaders rejected Jesus as Messiah, but God exalted Him as the foundation of salvation history.

Discipleship implication: You cannot build your life on Jesus partially. Either He is the cornerstone, or He is a stumbling stone.

Tim Keller wrote: “If Jesus rose from the dead, then you have to accept all that He said; if He didn’t rise from the dead, then why worry about any of what He said?”

Keller rightly presses the issue. Jesus does not allow us the luxury of selective discipleship. Resurrection faith demands full surrender.

2. Salvation in No One Else (v.12)

“There is salvation in no one else!”

The Greek word for salvation is soteria, meaning deliverance, rescue, preservation. It is not merely forgiveness of sins, but rescue from sin’s penalty, power, and ultimate presence.

Peter’s language is absolute. No ambiguity. No alternative routes.

Theological clarity: Jesus is not the best Saviour. He is the only Saviour.

John Piper said: “The cross is the blazing centre of the glory of God.”

At the cross, God’s love and justice meet. To deny Christ’s exclusivity is to empty the cross of its necessity.

3. The Only Name Given by God (v.12)

“God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”

In the ancient world, a name represented authority, character, and identity.

The name Jesus (Greek Iesous, Hebrew Yeshua) means “The Lord saves.”

Salvation is not human discovery—it is divine provision.

Key word: must be saved.

This speaks of necessity, not preference.

R.T. Kendall observed: “Jesus did not come to make bad people good, but dead people alive.”

Only the risen Christ can raise spiritually dead sinners. Moral effort cannot save; only resurrection power can.

John 14:6 (NLT): “Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.’”

Context: Spoken in the Upper Room before the cross.

Greek insight: Hodos (way) – a road, not a suggestion.

Discipleship means trusting Christ not only for eternity, but for daily direction.

1 Timothy 2:5 (NLT): “For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus.”

Theology: Jesus bridges the gap between holy God and sinful humanity.

Like a perfect bridge over a canyon—no alternative path exists.

Charles Stanley said: “Salvation is not about what we do, but about what Jesus has already done.”

Disciples rest in finished work, not frantic striving.

Isaiah 53:5 (NLT): “But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins…”

Hebrew insight: Chalal – pierced violently.

Our salvation was costly. Cheap grace dishonours the cross.