“…let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well…. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”” (Acts 4:10,12, ESV)
Chicago is known for its inclusivity. The city is home to practically every ethnic group, religious sect, philosophy, and ideology. Many in Chicago feel especially proud of the fact that they are a melting pot of people who have come from all walks of life and all corners of the globe.
Being an inclusive town, Chicago is home to some very unusual religious groups that are unknown but to a few. For example, many people do not know about a religion called Baha’i. This religion is not very old, with origins from Persia (modern Iran) around 1844. There is a Baha’i Temple in Chicago. This religion is welcomed in Chicago. Why? Baha’i followers believe that all religions lead to God. There is no right or wrong religion. The Baha’i Temple in Chicago has nine recesses in its building – one for each of the major world religions. Followers of Baha’i believe you can chose any god. You can believe in Jesus. Or Muhammed. Or Shiva. Or another God…. and be a faithful Baha’i follower. Essentially, they insist that you can believe in any god you want as long as you are inclusive of all religions.
Ancient Rome had similar beliefs. It allowed people to practice other religions as long as they allowed room for the Roman gods as well. If you traveled back in time to ancient Rome, there were statues and idols of many gods throughout the city. Like Chicago, Rome was a melting pot of many peoples and many religions. All religions were accepted as long as you allowed for all gods to be respected and worshipped.
You may ask yourself, “Why then did Rome persecute Christians? Why did they throw them to lions and crucify faithful people like Paul?” The answer is simple. Christians believed that Jesus was the Messiah. They believed in only one God. They believed that idols and other gods do not have power and should be shunned. They believed Jesus was “the way, the truth and the life” where “NO ONE comes to the Father except through Jesus” (John 14:6). To ancient Romans, this was blasphemy. That is why Christians were persecuted, hunted, and murdered. They believed Jesus was sole Savior of all mankind.
Today’s scripture reinforces this belief that Jesus is the ONLY Son of God, and He is different from all other religious figures. Acts 4:12 reaffirms that “there is salvation in no one else”, other than Jesus. It further states that “there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” This belief that Jesus is the ONLY way to be saved is a basic Christian belief. It completely disagrees with those who contend that all religions lead to heaven. It flies against ancient Roman beliefs in the faithful inclusion of all religions and all gods. It goes against the modern teachings of Baha’i. And, this belief that Jesus is the ONLY way, the ONLY Savior, the ONLY Son of God, the ONLY Messiah or Christ is what makes many liberal thinkers very upset.
At a city school board meeting last year, an argument broke out over Christmas. At a school “holiday” program at a middle school, a young boy decided to skip his lines in the school program and read the Christmas story out of the Bible from Luke 2. For this young boy, the birth of Jesus was the “reason for the season”. It is called “CHRIST-mas”, by God! Well, some liberal parents got upset at the reading. They didn’t like that Christ was mentioned in their “inclusive” holiday program. They kept “Bible stuff” (their words) out of the program, because they didn’t think Jesus had a place in their generic “holiday” events. They even changed the name decades ago from “Christmas Program” to “Holiday Program”. Even though this group of parents believed themselves “inclusive”, they wanted the school board to make a rule that no Bible stuff would ever be included in their holiday program again. After consulting lawyers and taking a vote, the Bible and Jesus were excluded from any mention at holiday events in order to remain “inclusive”. Don’t you find it interesting that people like this are “inclusive” of only the groups and voices they approve?
What was mentioned at that school board meeting by a parent was that the only reason for the “holiday program” was Christmas, and Jesus’ birth should be respected. The parent mentioned that Jesus came to seek and save the lost. This got some people at the meeting very riled up. They said, “I don’t believe in Jesus! We don’t want Jewish kids or Muslim kids or atheist kids to feel left out of the holiday!” Again, the thought among many gathered was that all religions deserve a voice, a vote, a place, even atheists who worship no religion and have humanism as their god.
When you get down to it, many people in our world do not believe Jesus is “the Way”. They cannot accept that “there is salvation in no other name” than Jesus.
I look at it this way. When Judgment Day comes and I face God in Heaven, I want Jesus to be my mediator. I have chosen Him to be my Savior. ONLY Him.
The very first commandment as found in Exodus 20 states, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:2-3). I believe in one God, a Trinity, where Jesus is my Savior come in flesh. God the Father is the Creator who sent Jesus. The Holy Spirit is my Counselor. There is NO other god.
In the Christian meditational book, Truth for Life: 365 Daily Devotions, the author gave the following proof:
“Despite what the world around us may believe, though, Jesus does not belong on a pedestal next to other false gods or religious figures. He is far more than just another portico that leads to truth. As the Philistine god Dagon fell and was broken before the ark of the Lord (1 Samuel 5:1–4), so all others will be revealed to be nothing compared to Him. That message is not popular, but it remains true—and it is wonderful, for if there were no crucified Savior, there would be no way at all to eternal life, for all other ways lead only to death.
One day Buddha, Muhammad, and every other false prophet will bow at Jesus’ feet and declare that He is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Until that day comes, hold fast to the truth and seek to point people to the one who is the way, the truth, and the life that we all need (John 14:6). It was Christians following the example of John and Peter’s refusal to give up or stay silent that changed the Roman Empire; by God’s grace, we could likewise transform the world today as we follow in their footsteps.” (p. 27, Alistair Begg).
Today, I remind you that to be a Christian, you need to believe in ONE GOD. Jesus made God present in the flesh. “Salvation is found in no one else” (Acts 4:12). Are you willing to take a stand with Jesus or will you side with the world? Will you put your faith in ONE GOD, or will you compromise with other gods? Will you show respect and honor to Jesus as your personal Savior? On Judgment Day, will you stand with Jesus or stand alone before the throne of God?
Why not give a present to God this Easter, and confirm that God in Christ has the total devotion of your heart and soul?
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Blessed Lord my God! I so enjoy your presence! When the day turns to night, and my thoughts turn to prayers, it is wonderful to feel You are near! When alone in a far away place, the knowledge that You know where I am brings hope and joy!
Heavenly Father, I thank You for those special moments when Your Spirit is close. In prayer, I can hear Your voice. In the quiet, I sense Your nearness to me.
I thank You for Jesus, my Savior. His words and actions kindled a desire within me. I wanted desperately to make promises in Jesus’ name. I needed to accept His grace. I was willing to obey Your call. I can’t imagine my life without Jesus in it! I cannot fathom how lost this world would be without the presence and inspiration of Your Holy Spirit.
With Your love in my heart, I rest in Your arms this day! Amen.
Being an inclusive town, Chicago is home to some very unusual religious groups that are unknown but to a few. For example, many people do not know about a religion called Baha’i. This religion is not very old, with origins from Persia (modern Iran) around 1844. There is a Baha’i Temple in Chicago. This religion is welcomed in Chicago. Why? Baha’i followers believe that all religions lead to God. There is no right or wrong religion. The Baha’i Temple in Chicago has nine recesses in its building – one for each of the major world religions. Followers of Baha’i believe you can chose any god. You can believe in Jesus. Or Muhammed. Or Shiva. Or another God…. and be a faithful Baha’i follower. Essentially, they insist that you can believe in any god you want as long as you are inclusive of all religions.
Ancient Rome had similar beliefs. It allowed people to practice other religions as long as they allowed room for the Roman gods as well. If you traveled back in time to ancient Rome, there were statues and idols of many gods throughout the city. Like Chicago, Rome was a melting pot of many peoples and many religions. All religions were accepted as long as you allowed for all gods to be respected and worshipped.
You may ask yourself, “Why then did Rome persecute Christians? Why did they throw them to lions and crucify faithful people like Paul?” The answer is simple. Christians believed that Jesus was the Messiah. They believed in only one God. They believed that idols and other gods do not have power and should be shunned. They believed Jesus was “the way, the truth and the life” where “NO ONE comes to the Father except through Jesus” (John 14:6). To ancient Romans, this was blasphemy. That is why Christians were persecuted, hunted, and murdered. They believed Jesus was sole Savior of all mankind.
Today’s scripture reinforces this belief that Jesus is the ONLY Son of God, and He is different from all other religious figures. Acts 4:12 reaffirms that “there is salvation in no one else”, other than Jesus. It further states that “there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” This belief that Jesus is the ONLY way to be saved is a basic Christian belief. It completely disagrees with those who contend that all religions lead to heaven. It flies against ancient Roman beliefs in the faithful inclusion of all religions and all gods. It goes against the modern teachings of Baha’i. And, this belief that Jesus is the ONLY way, the ONLY Savior, the ONLY Son of God, the ONLY Messiah or Christ is what makes many liberal thinkers very upset.
At a city school board meeting last year, an argument broke out over Christmas. At a school “holiday” program at a middle school, a young boy decided to skip his lines in the school program and read the Christmas story out of the Bible from Luke 2. For this young boy, the birth of Jesus was the “reason for the season”. It is called “CHRIST-mas”, by God! Well, some liberal parents got upset at the reading. They didn’t like that Christ was mentioned in their “inclusive” holiday program. They kept “Bible stuff” (their words) out of the program, because they didn’t think Jesus had a place in their generic “holiday” events. They even changed the name decades ago from “Christmas Program” to “Holiday Program”. Even though this group of parents believed themselves “inclusive”, they wanted the school board to make a rule that no Bible stuff would ever be included in their holiday program again. After consulting lawyers and taking a vote, the Bible and Jesus were excluded from any mention at holiday events in order to remain “inclusive”. Don’t you find it interesting that people like this are “inclusive” of only the groups and voices they approve?
What was mentioned at that school board meeting by a parent was that the only reason for the “holiday program” was Christmas, and Jesus’ birth should be respected. The parent mentioned that Jesus came to seek and save the lost. This got some people at the meeting very riled up. They said, “I don’t believe in Jesus! We don’t want Jewish kids or Muslim kids or atheist kids to feel left out of the holiday!” Again, the thought among many gathered was that all religions deserve a voice, a vote, a place, even atheists who worship no religion and have humanism as their god.
When you get down to it, many people in our world do not believe Jesus is “the Way”. They cannot accept that “there is salvation in no other name” than Jesus.
I look at it this way. When Judgment Day comes and I face God in Heaven, I want Jesus to be my mediator. I have chosen Him to be my Savior. ONLY Him.
The very first commandment as found in Exodus 20 states, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:2-3). I believe in one God, a Trinity, where Jesus is my Savior come in flesh. God the Father is the Creator who sent Jesus. The Holy Spirit is my Counselor. There is NO other god.
In the Christian meditational book, Truth for Life: 365 Daily Devotions, the author gave the following proof:
“Despite what the world around us may believe, though, Jesus does not belong on a pedestal next to other false gods or religious figures. He is far more than just another portico that leads to truth. As the Philistine god Dagon fell and was broken before the ark of the Lord (1 Samuel 5:1–4), so all others will be revealed to be nothing compared to Him. That message is not popular, but it remains true—and it is wonderful, for if there were no crucified Savior, there would be no way at all to eternal life, for all other ways lead only to death.
One day Buddha, Muhammad, and every other false prophet will bow at Jesus’ feet and declare that He is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Until that day comes, hold fast to the truth and seek to point people to the one who is the way, the truth, and the life that we all need (John 14:6). It was Christians following the example of John and Peter’s refusal to give up or stay silent that changed the Roman Empire; by God’s grace, we could likewise transform the world today as we follow in their footsteps.” (p. 27, Alistair Begg).
Today, I remind you that to be a Christian, you need to believe in ONE GOD. Jesus made God present in the flesh. “Salvation is found in no one else” (Acts 4:12). Are you willing to take a stand with Jesus or will you side with the world? Will you put your faith in ONE GOD, or will you compromise with other gods? Will you show respect and honor to Jesus as your personal Savior? On Judgment Day, will you stand with Jesus or stand alone before the throne of God?
Why not give a present to God this Easter, and confirm that God in Christ has the total devotion of your heart and soul?
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Blessed Lord my God! I so enjoy your presence! When the day turns to night, and my thoughts turn to prayers, it is wonderful to feel You are near! When alone in a far away place, the knowledge that You know where I am brings hope and joy!
Heavenly Father, I thank You for those special moments when Your Spirit is close. In prayer, I can hear Your voice. In the quiet, I sense Your nearness to me.
I thank You for Jesus, my Savior. His words and actions kindled a desire within me. I wanted desperately to make promises in Jesus’ name. I needed to accept His grace. I was willing to obey Your call. I can’t imagine my life without Jesus in it! I cannot fathom how lost this world would be without the presence and inspiration of Your Holy Spirit.
With Your love in my heart, I rest in Your arms this day! Amen.