At the heart of the debate was how salvation is received. The Roman Catholic Church insisted that salvation came through Christ and—Christ and good works, and the sacraments, and membership in the church. The Reformers stood firmly on the authority of Scripture alone (sola Scriptura) and declared that salvation is in Christ alone—solus Christus.

The difference could be reduced to two words: and vs. alone.

The Reformers, echoing the voice of Scripture, rejected any notion of adding to Christ’s finished work. They proclaimed that salvation rests entirely in Jesus Christ without the addition of human merit or church rites.

The Gospel is simply: salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, to the glory of God alone. This foundational truth forms the bedrock of the Christian faith.

--Foundation: Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone).

--Three Pillars: Sola Gratia (grace alone), Sola Fide (faith alone), Solus Christus (Christ alone).

--Pinnacle: Soli Deo Gloria (glory to God alone).

Let’s explore this in more detail, focusing on the priority, exclusivity, and necessity of salvation as seen in Acts 4:12.

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1. The Priority of Salvation (4:12a) - "And there is salvation"

At the core of Peter’s declaration before the Sanhedrin is this simple, life-altering statement: There is salvation. Nothing in your life today is more important than this. Peter’s words remind us that salvation is the chief priority of life—above all our earthly concerns and desires, this is the issue that matters most.

But what does salvation actually mean? The word itself carries both a negative and a positive component:

• Negatively, salvation means to be delivered or rescued from an impending danger. It refers to being saved from ruin, destruction, and, ultimately, the wrath of God. Every person on Earth faces the threat of divine judgment because of their sin. Salvation is the escape from that coming judgment.

• Positively, salvation means being restored into a right relationship with God. It is not just avoiding punishment, but being saved unto something—reconciliation and acceptance with a holy God in heaven. It brings us into communion with God, which was broken by sin.

So, what are we saved from? The answer may surprise many.

We are saved from God Himself.

The Bible teaches that God is a righteous judge who is angry with sinners.

Psalm 5:5 declares, "You hate all who do iniquity."

Psalm 7:11 adds, "God is a righteous judge, and a God who has indignation every day."

Salvation is not primarily about being saved from loneliness or poor self-esteem—it is about being saved from the wrath of Almighty God against sinners.

God’s righteous anger burns against those who do iniquity, and salvation is the only means of escape from His judgment. Without it, we are like a criminal standing guilty before a judge with a death sentence hanging over us. Salvation is the great declaration that God has provided a way of escape through His Son, Jesus Christ.

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2. The Exclusivity of Salvation (Acts 4:12b) - "For there is no other name under heaven"

The exclusivity of salvation is one of the clearest and most profound teachings of the Bible. Peter declares boldly: "There is salvation in no one else."

This is not a statement of religious preference but of divine revelation. It is not simply nothing else that can save us—it is no one else. Salvation is not found in a church, an institution, a cause, or any religious ritual. It is found in a person—the Lord Jesus Christ.

This truth flies in the face of modern pluralism, which claims that all religions offer equally valid paths to God. But the Bible is uncompromising in its claim: salvation is only in Christ. Why is this the case?

Jesus Christ alone is uniquely qualified to be the Savior because He is both fully God and fully man. As the God-man, Jesus is the only mediator between sinful humanity and a holy God. He perfectly represents both parties in His role as mediator. He is God in human flesh, and as such, He is able to reconcile us to God through His death on the cross.

In 1 Timothy 2:5, Paul writes, "There is one God and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus."

Only Jesus, by virtue of His deity and humanity, can bring together the two estranged parties—God and mankind. This is why Peter is so adamant: there is salvation in no one else. There is no other name given under heaven by which we must be saved. Jesus is not just one option among many. He is the only option.

The Reformers were unwavering in their insistence on this truth. Some even died as martyrs, refusing to deny the exclusivity of salvation in Christ alone.

To add anything to Christ’s work—whether it be human effort, religious rituals, or good works—is to deny the sufficiency of His sacrifice. Salvation is found in Christ alone, and only by faith in Him can we escape the judgment to come.

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3. The Necessity of Salvation (Acts 4:12c) - "By which we must be saved"

Peter’s final statement in Acts 4:12 brings us to the heart of the matter: we must be saved.

This is not a suggestion or an option—it is a necessity. The word must carries the full weight of divine urgency. There is no other way to be saved from the wrath of God except through Jesus Christ.

Why is this salvation necessary? Because every person is guilty of sin and under the just condemnation of God. As sinners, we cannot save ourselves. We are spiritually dead, and a dead person cannot bring themselves to life. As Peter makes clear, we must be saved—someone else must do the saving. Salvation is something done to us, not something we do. It is a gift of God’s grace.

Peter’s words would have shocked the Sanhedrin, the most religious body in Israel. These men had devoted their lives to religious observance, yet Peter declares that even they must be saved. Their religion could not save them. Their good works, their adherence to the law, their status in society—all of it was powerless to make them right with God. If the religious elite of Israel needed to be saved, how much more does every one of us?

There is no escaping this truth: we must be saved. And there is only one way to be saved—through faith in Jesus Christ. The Bible declares that God has provided only one Savior, and His name is Jesus. There is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.

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The Urgency of the Gospel

As you reflect on these truths, the question remains: Have you been saved? Salvation is not automatic. It requires a personal response. You must repent of your sins and place your faith in Jesus Christ alone. God has provided a way of escape from His judgment, but you must take it.

Peter’s message is as relevant today as it was 2,000 years ago: There is salvation in no one else. Jesus Christ is not one way among many—He is the only way. The world may resist this truth, but the Bible is clear. Salvation is exclusive to Christ, and it is necessary for every person.

The call of the gospel is urgent. You must be saved, and you must be saved today. There is no greater need in your life than this. The wrath of God is real, and the only escape is through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Jesus stands ready to save you—will you trust in Him? And, if you have, are you living for Him and all he commanded us to do—by his grace and Spirit?