1. Acts 4:12 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What is the meaning of salvation?

Acts 4:12 (ESV)

12 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.”

This is the first use of the term salvation in the book of Acts, an echo of Psalm 146:3. With this term, Peter focuses on the benefits that come from union with Christ, specifically the forgiveness of sins (see Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19)1 and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). The temple system (over which the Jewish council ruled) does not have the ability to effect this reality. Jesus alone is the Saviour of God’s people.2 All religious practices and systems which are divorced from Christ are thus erroneous and will not lead anyone to God.3