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

Resurrections - There are several accounts of resurrections in the Gospels, but Peter was one of only 3 apostles to witness a synagogue leader’s daughter being brought back to life in Mark chapter 5.  The reaction Mark records in verse 42 is “And immediately they were completely astounded.”  The other is recorded in the Gospel of John, chapter 11 where Jesus knew that a close friend was very sick.  The message to that end was received from Lazarus’ sisters but Jesus chose to delay going to the home for two days, so by the time He and the apostles arrived Lazarus had died and had been buried for four days.  In fact Jesus tells His disciples in verse 14b-15, “Lazarus is dead and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe…”.   In greeting one of Lazarus grieving sisters He tells her, “I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in Me shall live even if He dies.” (verse 25).   A very strong statement considering how long Lazarus had been in the grave.   But all Jesus did was simply cry out (verse 43), “Lazarus, come forth,” and he did.

Peter witnessed first-hand someone who exercised power over death and he knew Jesus was someone worth following and listening to.  In verse 45 we’re told, “Many therefore of the Jews, who had come to Mary and beheld what He had done, believed in Him.”  What about you?

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

Demons Fear & Obey – In the Gospel of Mark chapter 5 verses 1-20, Peter has just finished taking Jesus across the Sea of Galilee when a demon possessed man approaches the boat.  We’re provided details that this man lives among the tombs, has often been bound to be restrained but broke the chains, and constantly cried out and had self-inflicted wounds.   Here is a man who knows no peace, who when asked by Jesus what the name of the demon is, is told “Legion; for we are many.”

Jesus told the demons to leave the man and they obeyed him.  Peter and those who knew the man now observed him sitting down quietly, clothed, in his right mind, and perhaps for the first time in his life, knowing peace.  Instead of a life causing fear and terror, he left proclaiming to people in the region the great things Jesus had done for him and everyone marveled.  Like Peter, here was a man whose life was radically and dramatically changed.             

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

His Calling – Peter was a fisherman by trade.  The Gospel of Luke chapter 5 verses 1-11 describe how after fishing all night and catching nothing, Jesus instructed him to put his nets out into the deep water only to have the nets filled with fish to the point that the nets began to break.  We’re told Peter’s reaction involved amazement, fear, and falling down at the feet of Jesus saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”   Jesus responded, “Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men.”

And Peter left the fish, the boat, his profession – everything and followed Jesus.  And he was with Jesus during the entire time of his public ministry, so we have the reliability of an eye-witness.

What Right did Peter Have to Make This Claim?

The Christian faith is sometimes criticized for the exclusive claims made that salvation from sin is only available through Jesus.   While exclusiveness is not confined to Christian faith, it is worth exploring why the claim is made.  Is valid proof offered?   Is there anything that might be unique compared to other faiths?  Are there credible witnesses?  Is the evidence compelling?

Peter, one of the Apostles and someone close to Jesus, provides a good case study.   He is perhaps the most emotional and genuine follower of Jesus in terms of his struggles to grasp the reality of Jesus and to faithfully and consistently follow Him.   And yet, his life was radically changed as evidenced by his statement to the Jewish religious leaders as recorded in Acts 4:12,

                “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.”

In future posts we’ll consider the evidence and proof that lie behind this claim.

Imagine the News

Jerusalem Temple Tribune – “Pagan Nobility Pose a Strange Question to King Herod”

News sources in the palace have advised that a large group of men known as Magi have travelled to pay Herod a courtesy visit with an unexpected question, “Where is He who is born King of the Jews?”  Much to King Herod’s surprise their question was quite sincere and genuine.   They assumed that he would be aware of the event.   It was further reported that Herod consulted the Scribes, Lawyers and other experts of the Scriptures and was told that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.    Herod conveyed this finding to the Magi and asked them to report back when they had found the One, as he "wanted to go and pay homage to Him as well."

A palace correspondent reported as the Magi were departing from the palace that evening they became quite excited at sighting the bright object which that re-appeared in the sky.   They claimed they had been following this object for quite some time, that once again it was moving and they were determined to finish their journey.

Our Bethlehem correspondent reported that the entourage came to a small home in Bethlehem and begged entrance where they paid homage to the young boy child named Jesus and gave him gifts befitting of a King.   Our source was unable to estimate the value of the gifts but it was said to be quite extravagant.  A curious observation was that the Magi did not begin their journey home by way of Jerusalem, but had decided to take a different route.   It was further reported that the young family vacated their home shortly after the visit and their whereabouts are unknown.

In other news from Bethlehem, soldiers of King Herod conducted a raid and have killed all baby boys, two years of age and younger.   No explanation has been offered for the King’s actions.