Good Morning Friends,
Listen to the conclusion of Peter’s message
to the rulers of the Jews: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no
other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
That is an offensive statement. It sure is
today! Our culture demands tolerance, not exclusivity. Our culture demands that
people believe that there are many truths and whatever truth a person embraces
is fine. Many, many people are offended today by the claim of Christians that salvation
only comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
That was an offensive statement when Peter
made it, too. That’s not what the Jewish rulers believed. They believed
salvation came from a blood relationship with Abraham through Jacob. They
believed that it was the Jewish people that were saved and no one else, unless
they converted to Judaism. They had an exclusive faith, too, but it was
exclusive in a different way. They were offended by Peter’s statement that
Jesus even entered into the salvation equation.
The Jewish rulers demanded that Peter and the
other apostles stop preaching that offensive message. “They called them in
again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.”
(Acts 4:18)
I could see our culture making that kind of
demand. It’s a demand that has already been made in some parts of the world. There
are places where it is a crime to preach the salvation message of Jesus. It may
be a crime in the United States someday, too.
So the question is -- how should Christians
respond to a demand to stop preaching the salvation message of Jesus? It’s a
question that Peter and John answered for us so that there would be no confusion
if the situation ever arose again. “But Peter and John replied, ‘Judge for
yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For
we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.’” (Acts 4:19-20)
Is it offensive? YES.
Is it exclusive? YES.
But it’s not our message – it’s God’s! He has
asked us to proclaim it and obedience to Him takes precedence over any other obedience!
His, by Grace,
Steve
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