Thursday, August 29, 2013

What's in a name?


Everything is in a name, if that name is “Jesus Christ”! Why? Acts 4:12 says, “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.”

When the Holy Spirit inspired Peter to say there was “no other name … by which we must be saved,” think of all the names this eliminates from being able to produce salvation.

It eliminates the name “Abraham,” thus Jews could no longer rely on physical ancestry to Him for their salvation. John made this clear from the beginning of his ministry in Luke 3:8: “Therefore bear fruits in keeping with repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham.” To be saved eternally, Israelites must obey Jesus.

It also eliminates the name “Mohammed” from being able to procure eternal salvation. Whatever good this man accomplished, or whatever good is accomplished in or through his name, the pardoning of sins is not among those accomplishments.

It also eliminates the name “Mahatma Gandhi” from being able to save souls from eternal damnation. There is no doubt or debate that this man did a tremendous amount for Hindus and Muslims in India and South Africa, and for all men in a sense. But, all the good that he accomplished was for this life, for no soul is saved in the name of “Gandhi.”

It also eliminates the name “Confucius” from being able to provide eternal security. Confucius lived between 551 and 479 B.C. His philosophy championed strong family loyalty -- even to the point of ancestor worship, and eminent respect of children for their parents and wives for their husbands. He is perhaps the most oft-quoted philosopher of all time, and no doubt had many good and morally profitable teachings, but did not and cannot “save” anyone.

It also eliminates the name “Nietzsche” (Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, 1844-1900) the German philosopher famous for “the death of God” argument; and the name “Nostradamus” (Michel de Nostredame, 1503-1566), the French pharmacist (then called “apothecary”) who published volumes of prophecies which some claim predicted many modern events. However popular or unpopular these philosophers and “prophets” may have been in their times, or in ours, does not make their names powerful enough to produce the salvation of men’s souls. The same can obviously be said for any philosopher, scientist, or proclaimed “prophet” save “the Prophet” (cf. Deuteronomy 18:15,18; John 6:14), Jesus Christ.

But, this also eliminates “Joseph Smith” (the proclaimed “prophet” of The Book of Mormon), “Mary Baker Eddy” (the prophet and founder of the Christian Scientist), “L. Ron Hubbard” (the “prophet” and founder of the Church of Scientology), “Martin Luther” (from which the Lutherans derive their name), “John Calvin” (who put forth the doctrines of predestination which became “Calvinism”), “John Wesley” and “Charles Wesley” (Anglican clerics whose foundational doctrines came to be Wesleyanism), and “Thomas Campbell” or “Alexander Campbell” (this son and father, who, along with others such as Barton W. Stone, sought to “restore” the church back to the New Testament pattern, rather than to simply “reform” it). None of these names, whatever their contributions to or detractions from the gospel, are “the name” through which salvation comes! Why?

It’s actually very simple. None of them died on the cross and were raised from the dead! And, none of them became “the very corner stone” of our salvation and association with God in the church. Therefore, being baptized in their name(s) accomplishes nothing (Matthew 28:19-20; John 12:48). Don’t follow any man, follow “the man, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:5-6).

Adapted from Philip Strong

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home