Is There No Other Name? Acts 4:10-12
On the front cover of the May, 2006 issue of the National Geographic magazine is a photograph of
an ancient manuscript discovered in an Egyptian cave and written some 1,700 years ago. This
manuscript has been declared to be the gospel of Judas. It is part of the writings of the Gnostics, a
religious movement that flourished in the Roman Empire between the second and fourth centuries.
Other Gnostic gospels found in the last 65 years include the gospel of Thomas, the gospel of Mary
Magdalene and the gospel of Philip, all written by the Gnostics. Who were they, these Gnostics and
from whom is derived the term, agnostic? According to the Gnostics, we were destined to be
reincarnated as different physical life forms, over and over unless we were enlightened by gnosis, or
true knowledge. With this gnosis, we could escape this process of reincarnation and journey to the
spiritual realm of Barbelo.
The Gnostics taught that evil in this world came from a creator called Demiurge. They did not
believe that Jesus died to atone for the sins of men. They saw good as evil and evil as good. The
serpent was good, Yahweh, or Jehovah, was evil. Gnostics did not believe that Jesus was God, that
He died for our sins on the cross of Calvary, and that He rose again on Easter morning. Instead
Gnostics believe Jesus returned to the realm of Barbelo.
According to the gospel of Judas, only Judas Iscariot of all the disciples, knew the true identity of
Jesus. Instead of being a traitor, Judas was the enlightened hero who bravely arranged for Christ
to be arrested and eventually crucified.
The National Geographic article concluded that the gospel of Judas will cause many to question
this Jesus of Nazareth that we know of in the Scriptures. Suddenly, people too sophisticated to
attend Sunday School, has decried, “This is an outrage! The gospels of Judas, Thomas, Mary and
Philip must be included in the New Testament, so that everyone will know the truth that Jesus is, a
super being from Barbelo.” What is the Army’s position? “We believe that the scriptures of the Old
and New Testament were given by inspiration of God, and that they only. . .”
In order to help us settle this concern which trouble today’s progressively liberal society, let us
continue our study of the Book of Acts and look at the sermons of Peter. He preached three
sermons, one each in Acts 2, 3 and 4. I will try to summarize his main points which will help us
respond to the vexing question as to whether or not Jesus is actually a super being from Barbelo.
Peter’s 1st point: “Jesus is God.” He said in Acts 2:36, “God has made this Jesus whom you
crucified to be both Lord and Messiah.” The thing that shocked the Jewish people was that Peter
dared to equate Jesus with the Old Testament Jehovah. Because Jesus is both God and Messiah.
Peter could say to the crippled man in Acts 3:6, “Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have give
I thee. In the name of Jesus Christ, of Nazareth rise up and walk.” Without Christ being God, and
who He said He was, the crippled man would have lived and died, as a crippled.
Is there another name you call upon to help you in your troubles? Some people say, “God, help me
do this, or God save me.” Why not identify who God is by using the name of Jesus? Christ told us
in John 14:13 “Whatever you ask in My name. I will do it.” Who’s name is that? Who’s name?
(Clapping cadence, then cry out JESUS!) Is Jesus Lord of your life, both public and private?
Peter’s 2nd point: “Better Learn to Swim.” In Acts 2:40 he said, “Save yourselves from this
generation that has gone astray.” Save yourself from this world where right is wrong and wrong is
right, where God is seen as quick tempered and unloving but Satan is kind and tolerant. Save
yourself from this world that discards unborn children by the millions and who steals human lives
and body parts, all in the name of personal rights and greed. Psalm 145:14 promises that “The Lord
upholds all those who fall and lifts up those who are cast down.” Has God saved you to save others?
Peter’s 3rd point: “Now is the Time.” George Barna, the church growth guru, said there was no
observable difference between church goers and non-church attenders. This means we either have
embraced and invited the world into our places of worship or we live non-holy lives when we are in
the world just like anybody else. In Acts 3:19 Peter said, “Repent and turn to God, so that He will
forgive your sins.” He didn’t say, next week I want you to think about repenting and turning to God.
Think about it and we’ll talk next month. He meant to repent and turn to God now, before it was
too late. Now is the accepted time, today is the day of salvation, tomorrow may be too late. Are your
words and actions in your workplace and in your home that of a holy man or woman?
Peter’s 4th point: “Better Get Ready.” In Acts 2:17 Peter quoted the prophet Joel, “In the last
days,” God said, “I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.” (Joel 2:28) General Shaw Clifton
said, “Time is short and the need is urgent. People are dying in their sins. Who will tell them of
Calvary? “Who will speak to them about a Savior who offers Himself for their sins?
Are you willing to let the Holy Spirit take not partial, but full control of your life this morning? “Also
I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Who shall I send, and who will go for Me?” Isaiah said, “Then
said I, here am I, send me.” (Isaiah 6:8) Are you willing to go wherever God sends you?
Is the calling to follow Christ no longer an option? Is His name no longer relevant? Is the power of
God to transform lives no longer available to us? Should we give in, give up, and give out and
accept the gospel of Judas that Jesus is not God, but someone from Barbelo?
Is there no other name that can save us from our sins? Can Demiurge, or Buddha or Allah, Moroni
or Wa-kan-tonk-a, Amaterasu, Zeus, Vishnu, Krishna, Brahma or the 330 million other gods of
Hindu? Can my lover, my spouse, my American idol, my therapist, my shiroma, my attorney, my
physician, my priest, save me from my sins? We come to. . .
Peter’s last point: “There is No Other Name.” In Acts 4:10-12 he said, “Let it be known to you
and to all the people, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God
raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the stone that was
rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone. Nor is there salvation in any other,
for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
There is no other name. Roger Palms wrote, “Life is not easy. Hardships will be there. This week
someone will be told he has lost his job. Someone will learn she has cancer. This week someone
will learn that his marriage is in trouble. Someone else will start to slide into depression and
discouragement. We are not immune from life’s trials.” (The War Cry, 4/1/2006)
When we are faced with hardships, injustices, and traumatic events, when our lives are in jeopardy
and when we come face to face with death, may the name of Jesus be engraved in your hearts, for
there is no other name. Salvation is found in no one else. Let Christ be your all in all. Jesus, Lamb
of God, worthy is Your name. Shall we pray.
Altar Call: You Are My All in All.
You are my strength when I am weak. You are the treasure that I seek, You are my all in all.
Seeking You as a precious jewel, Lord to give up I’d be a fool. You are my all in all.
Jesus, Lamb of God, worthy is Your name. Jesus, Lamb of God, worthy is your name.
Taking my sin, my cross, my shame, rising again, I bless Your name. You are my all in all.
When I fall down you lift me up, when I am dry you fill my cup. You are my all in all.
Jesus, Lamb of God, worthy is Your name. Jesus, Lamb of God, worthy is your name.
Benediction: The Lord bless thee and keep thee. The Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be
gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. (Nu. 6:24-26)