Salvation is only in Jesus, who gave His life for us on the cross. This enables us to come to faith and repent of our sins. Yes, Jesus is the only way people can go to heaven. Peter affirmed this truth as religious leaders confronted them. Peter and John prayed in the name of Jesus and restored a lame man. The completely healed man leapt for joy and praised God as he entered the Temple with them.
Feeling threatened, religious leaders questioned Peter and John about this healing and their teaching about Jesus. Peter told them the healing happened in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene. This was the same man they had crucified, but God raised Him from the dead. Acts 4:11 For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’ 12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved. [1]
Jesus is the Door to Eternal Life
To say Jesus is the only way to heaven sounds exclusive. Like the religious leaders who questioned Peter and John, this statement may puzzle, shock, or even offend someone, yet it is true. The Holy Scriptures teach there is no other way to salvation than through Jesus Christ. John 14:6Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.[2]
Jesus is not a way to heaven among many, but the only way. No amount of wealth, influence, or power will enable a person to enter the gates of heaven apart from faith in Jesus as their Savior. How many people died today who thought they could get to heaven in another way only to find out they were deceived?
Jesus gives us more information. John 10:7I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.[3] In Biblical times, the shepherd would place his sheep in a pen often made of rock, and he would sleep in the doorway. A sheep had to go through the Shepherd to come in or out of the pen. Jesus is our Good Shepherd; to get to heaven, we must go through Him. There is no other way.
Salvation in Jesus is Available to Anyone
Peter proclaimed salvation was only possible through Jesus, so the listeners had a chance to come to faith. The religious leaders Peter spoke to could have turned and accepted Jesus as their Cornerstone and received salvation. This could be an incredible day of rejoicing for what God had done instead of accusations.
Daily, we are faced with the same stark reality as these religious leaders that Jesus is the only way. Each day, people respond to the work of the Holy Spirit and ask Jesus into their hearts. It is a special day of celebration for them, but also in heaven. Jesus tells us in Luke 15:10, “There is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.” [4]
To learn how salvation is only in Jesus, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/peter-and-john-arrested
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.