What Right did Peter Have to Make This Claim?

 “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.”   Acts 4:12

I AM – John tells us when a mob came to arrest Him, Jesus asked them, “Whom do you seek?”  They responded, “Jesus the Nazarene,” to which He responded, “I AM.”   In chapter 18 verse 6 John tells us the mob drew back and fell to the ground at His response.  Why?  Jesus identified Himself by the name of God in the Old Testament that was considered so special that it should not be pronounced out loud.  But the response to the name being spoken indicates the power Jesus possessed.  Yet He allowed Himself to be taken, wrongfully accused, beaten and put to death by crucifixion.   Why?  For what reason?   John has given us the reason earlier in his Gospel – chapter 1 verse 29, recording the words of John the Baptist, “Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!”

Earlier in chapter 1 John offers this observation and invitation:

“He came to His own, and those who were His own, did not receive Him.  But as many as  received Him, to them He gave the power to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” (verses 11-12)

Can you think of any other examples were someone possessing such great power used it to sacrifice Himself entirely and completely for the needs of others?   Where else can you find such great love?

What Right did Peter Have to Make This Claim?

 “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.”   Acts 4:12

Repeating - In some sense Peter is only expressing what he had heard Jesus say.  For example, in John chapter 14, verse 6, Jesus said “I am the [only] way, and the [only] truth, and the [only] life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.” ([only] added for emphasis and to more closely convey the original meaning)

Quite a claim; very narrow and totally exclusive.  Taken on its own it could be disputed and regarded as dubious and highly unlikely.   But considered in the context that it was spoken by the One who gave sight to the blind, life to the dead, bread to the hungry and peace to a stormy world, it must be taken quite seriously.  Remember as well, this was the same One who told a lame man that his sins were forgiven and then lifted him to his feet to prove his ability not only the heal the physical manifestation of sin in this world, but also the ability to forgive that sin and remove the separation between us and God.

Peter knew it was one thing to make a claim, but quite extraordinary to back it up with acts of love, compassion and concern for the condition of those who heard Him.

What Right did Peter Have to Make This Claim?

 “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.”   Acts 4:12

Transfiguration – each of the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark & Luke) describe a time when Jesus took Peter and two of the other disciples up with Him on a mountain where suddenly Jesus became something other than just the earthly Jesus.  The writers describe His face shining like the sun, His clothing becoming white as light, and two others – Moses and Elijah appeared and spoke with Him.  Peter and the others also heard a voice coming from a cloud that overshadowed them saying, “This is by beloved Son in whom I am well pleased; listen to Him!”

The reaction of Peter and the two others was “they fell on their faces and were much afraid,” until  the Jesus they knew came and touched them and told them not to be afraid.  Peter would remind us of three important words that require our response – “Listen to Him!”.

What Right did Peter Have to Make This Claim?

 “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven                 that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.”   Acts 4:12

Once Blind, but Now I See – In the Old Testament, the Jewish people were given many indications on how to clearly recognize the Messiah when He came.    They were told, that prisoners would be set free, the lame would walk, the deaf would hear and the blind would see.  Careful study of the Old Testament will show no indication that a person born blind had ever been given sight.  So when John records in chapter 9 of his Gospel a blind beggar at the temple being given his sight by Jesus, this caused quite a “seen.”  Jesus was not “acting” like the Messiah, at least not what the Jewish religious leaders had come to expect – someone who would conform and agree to their religious system. 

There was no denying that a formerly blind person could now see.  His neighbors in verse 8 knew it.  His parents knew it, but were afraid to acknowledge it (verses 18-23).  When the formerly blind man was asked about what had happened, he responded in verse 25b, “One thing I do know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.”   As the religious leaders continued to deny the obvious sign, the seeing man made some interesting observations recorded in verses 30-33.  Here is a quick summary:

•       Here is an amazing thing (v30)
•       Since the beginning of time it has never been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind (v32)
•       If this man were not from God, He could do nothing (v33)

Peter understood the significance of this act.   Do you “see” the truth of Jesus?

What Right did Peter Have to Make This Claim?

 “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.”   Acts 4:12

                                                             

Proven Identity - Shortly after crossing the Sea Jesus asked His disciples the question, “Who do people say that I am?”  The responded that some said Jesus was John the Baptist raised back to life, others Elijah or one of the prophets.  Then Jesus made the question more personal by asking, “Who do you say that I am?”

It was Peter who responded, “You are the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the living God.”   Jesus praised Peter noting that God the Father had revealed this to Peter.   We could ask ourselves how, but I think the answer lies in what we’ve been considering – what had already happened had revealed this to Peter, as would events to come.   Peter was sure.  Who do you say Jesus is?

What Right did Peter Have to Make This Claim?

 “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.”   Acts 4:12

Walking Where No Man has Walked Before  - Matthew chapter 14 describes another crossing of the Sea of Galilee after the second miraculous feeding.  This time the disciples left in the boat by themselves and Jesus remained behind to pray.  Once again we’re told the crossing was difficult as the wind and the waves were against them.   Shortly before morning, they witnessed someone walking on the water and thought it was a ghost, but Jesus told them it was him and to take courage and not be afraid.

Peter replied, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water,” and Jesus did.  Peter, a mere man, actually walked on the water, like Jesus, but then he took his eyes off Jesus and concentrated instead on his immediate circumstances – the wind blowing, and the water getting him wet and he began to sink into the stormy sea, but he managed to say three very significant words, “Lord, save me!”   As Mark is accustomed to describing Jesus’ actions we’re told that “immediately Jesus took hold of him and took him to the boat.”

Peter learned not only what Jesus can enable us to do, but also how He longs for us to say those same three words.  And He’ll be there for us just like He was for Peter.

What Right did Peter Have to Make This Claim?

 “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.”   Acts 4:12

Miraculous Feeding – Thousands came to listen to Jesus speak and teach and we’re told of two occasions involving 5,000 and 4,000 men respectively, (the crowds were much larger, but only the number of men present is recorded) were Jesus fed them.   The provisions involved 5 loaves of bread and two fish for the first feeding and 7 loaves and a few small fish for the second.  The disciples were told to pick up what was left from the first feeding, which filled twelve lunch baskets – one for each of the Apostles to also be fed.  The leftovers from the second feeding – 7 large baskets of food!  Michael Card refers to the first miraculous feeding as one of “perfect provision” (just enough for the need at hand) and the second as a “miracle of abundance” (more than enough to meet the need).  These events would have recalled to mind the miraculous way God provided for His people during their 40 year journey to the Promised Land.

Unfortunately, most of the people merely regarded Jesus as a meal ticket, but He desires to be so much more in our lives.  Peter learned that tasks impossible for mere men and not impossible for Jesus.