Acts 4:12–A Unique Name Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. A name can tell us a great deal about a person. It represents the individual who bears it, giving him his identity in this world. It may indicate his nationality and background. In the past it often revealed a man’s occupation or trade. We can learn much from a name. But there is no name like the name referred to in our text. What is this name? It is “the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth” (v.10). It is a unique name. Let us note some important things about this name. To begin with we should note that the name of Christ is a despised name. Consider the setting. Peter and John, the apostles of Christ, have been preaching at the temple. The Jewish leaders, especially the Sadducees, are angered on account of their message, for they have been proclaiming a blessed resurrection hope through Jesus Christ. They seize the apostles and imprison them. The next day the Sanhedrin or great council of the Jews meets to try them. The apostles are on trial for preaching a sermon and healing a lame man! The question posed to Peter and John is a pointed one. “By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?” (v.7). The inference is, “We gave you no such permission! Whoever did, he is out of order!” The Sanhedrin was doubtless quite aware that Peter and John were servants of Christ, but they wanted them to admit the fact. Jesus, the carpenter from Nazareth, was despised in their eyes. However, the apostles are not intimidated. Peter, emboldened by the Holy Spirit, seizes the opportunity to preach another sermon, this time to the Sanhedrin! The words of our text are his powerful conclusion and application. We see that Christ’s name is a saving name. By this name sinners find salvation, for “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Rom.10:13). Three elements make up our Saviour’s full title. “Lord” is His divine name, showing that He is true God. “Jesus” is His human name, showing that He is true man. “Christ” is His official name, showing that as God and man He undertakes the unique role of Mediator between God and men. We see that Christ’s name is a necessary name. You may know many people in this world, some of them important to you. But could you say that, with eternity in mind, any of them was essential to know? This name though is necessary. By it we must be saved. By it we shall be saved if we repent of our sins and trust in Christ and His finished work of atonement. We see that Christ’s name is an exclusive name. There is “none other name” which is revealed to sinners for their salvation. Some say that there are “many paths up the mountain.” By this they mean that we may take different religious routes in this life and yet we shall all come to heaven and God at the last. It does not matter whether a man is a Moslem, a Hindu, a Buddhist or whatever, we are all really worshipping the same God. This is a devilish lie. Jesus said: “He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him” (John 5:23). Christ is an exclusive Saviour. We see that Christ’s name is a universal name. His name, which is the praise of the angels in heaven, has been revealed under heaven by the gospel. It has been “given among men.” If Christ is an exclusive Saviour then it is also true that He is a universal Saviour, in the sense that He is suited to sinners everywhere, whoever and whatever they may be. It is the church’s great task to make His wonderful name known to the ends of the earth. Finally we see that Christ’s name is a glorious name. There is no name more worthy or more precious. Certainly that was how Peter and John viewed it. They could have shut their mouths and saved themselves much trouble. So could believers today. But that would be to deny the Lord who ransomed them with His blood and who is “not ashamed to call them brethren” (Heb.2:11). In a day of growing apostasy let us love the name of Christ with all our hearts and proclaim it unashamedly by our lives and lips.