Christ as the Sole Mediator: A Biblical Review of Acts 4:12 and the Priestly Typology

Digging Deeper

No Other Name

There are many true statements in the Bible.  “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) speaks directly to the sinful nature of all mankind.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:1+6) speaks directly to God’s plan for the salvation available to mankind.

Yet few truths are as convicting in their finality as “It is by the name of Jesus Christ … for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved”  (Acts 4:10, 12) and  “At the name of Jesus every knee will bow … and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” (Philippians 2:10-11)   These later two truths speak directly to the inevitable pre-judgment position of every person.  Simply put (this is the spoiler), you will voluntarily bow and confess His name in joyful recognition of your salvation in this life OR later you will bow in inescapable terror and confess without hope as you face the consequences of your rebellion at the White Throne Judgment.

Everyone will face judgment.  For believers, judgment will come before the bema seat of Christ to be rewarded for their stewardship of his blessings and to give an account of their deeds done in the body.   In life, believers acknowledged Christ as both Lord and Savior.  In John 14:6 Jesus clearly announces “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Believers bow and confess now in thankful recognition of the price Christ paid on the cross for our salvation. In a continuation of that worship, believers will be face to face with Christ, knowing fully and completely understanding, all to the glory of the Father.  At the bema seat, the accounting of deeds will result in greater or fewer eternal rewards.

“Look!  God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4   Believers will rejoice forever.

Non-believers also will face judgement at the Great White Throne judgment.   This judgment is truly terrifying.   Revelation 6:15-17 describes the response of unbelievers: “Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They called to the mountains and the rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?’”

Unbelievers will be compelled to bow their knee and confess that Christ is Lord as they are confronted with what they had denied in life.  They rejected the “only name” by which they could be saved and now they reap the consequences.  “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it …The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books …  Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:11-15   Here they will join Satan, the antichrist and the false prophet to be tormented forever.  Justice is complete.

You need not face the Great White Throne judgment nor eternal condemnation in Hell.  Christ’s salvation and lordship is available up until the moment you die.  At that point it is too late.  The choice is yours.  Secure your eternity this very moment – tomorrow is not guaranteed.  Call on the one name, Jesus Christ. Bow your knee and confess he is Savior and Lord.  “For there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”  Acts 4:12