We regularly read the scripture "Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) Two questions immediately come to mind. First, have we noticed the word MUST when referring to our own personal salvation and faith journey, and secondly, do we know the name? The two here go hand in hand.
However, on this latter point, there appears to be more and more confusion about the name. More and more translations and easy-to-read Bibles are changing the name of our Lord God and Saviour throughout the scriptures. As a result, the name and authority of the absolute -- Jesus -- is being diluted. One such publication has even arbitrarily replaced the name Jesus with Jehovah on a whim. Is this a case of the blind leading the blind? Either way, there is no scriptural foundation for making these changes. Indeed, the Bible warns repeatedly of false prophets and how they would fool the elect if they could.
Jesus said, "There [are] false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction." (II Peter 2:1) "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." (Matthew 7:15)
In fact, Jesus told those that questioned His authority, "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own, for he is a liar and the father of it." (John 8:44)
He did so because these had forgotten the name -- His name -- the precious name of Jesus. Why is His name so important? Because this is the name given to us in the last days whereby we must be saved. There is no other name. "At the name of Jesus every knee should [and will] bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth." (Philippians 2:10)
This last point is even more relevant when we read this same verse in context. "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11)
Given Him a name that is ABOVE every other name. Not Jehovah, one of many names God gave to His people under the old covenant but Jesus -- the ONLY name given unto men in this new covenant of grace -- whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12) There are other verses that confirm Jesus as our Lord God and Saviour.
"I have sworn by Myself, the Word is gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, "That unto Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear." (Isaiah 45:23) What Word? The Word in the beginning that was with God and WAS God and later became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:1-18)
The same Jesus that states: "I am He that liveth, and was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen, and have the keys of hell and of death." (Revelation 1:18) Jesus Christ, the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)
"And having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself, by Him [I say] whether [they be] things in earth or things in heaven ..." (Colossians 1:20)
"In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will." (Ephesians 1:11) "All things were made by Him and without Him was not anything made that was made." (John 1:3)
"For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things; to whom be glory for ever. Amen." (Romans 11:36) "And He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole world." (I John 2:2)
Yes, God was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him is no sin. (I John 3:5) "And we know that the Son of God is come -- God as a Son -- the only begotten of the Father -- "of whom are all things and we in Him" -- one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom ARE all things and we by Him. (I Corinthians 8:6)
This is why we look for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and Saviour Jesus Christ. (Titus 2:13) Not in another name. Jesus the ONLY name. This is why we confess our sins to Jesus, because "He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness." (I John 1:9)
Moreover, "the Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (II Peter 3:9)
Do not be deceived by the false prophets and false teachers of this day. Stand in the truth of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ. "For then must He often have suffered since the foundation of the world, but now once in the end of the world, hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself." (Hebrews 9:26) Stand in the offering plate.
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