There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.
καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν ἄλλῳ οὐδενὶ ἡ σωτηρία, οὐδὲ γὰρ ὄνομά ἐστιν ἕτερον ὑπὸ τὸν οὐρανὸν τὸ δεδομένον ἐν ἀνθρώποις ἐν ᾧ δεῖ σωθῆναι ἡμᾶς.Acts 4:12, NRSV
Some observations:
- Peter’s claim “Salvation is found in no one else” excludes the possibility of finding salvation from, through, or in any alternative source other than Jesus.
- “for” (γὰρ) is telic and sets up Peter’s explanation of the claim
- “under heaven” shows how extensive the exclusion is of all other names
- “given among mortals” (ἐν ἀνθρώποις) where “mortals” (or mankind) is generic and indicates all humans, not just Jews or Christians
- “name” (ὄνομά) refers to the focus of God’s universal redemptive plan in the person and work of Jesus, for at the name of Jesus everyone will one day bow “in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth” (Philip. 2:10). The scope leaves no doubt that all of the universe will bend in reverence and respect for the name of Jesus.
Therefore, there is no one else comparable to Jesus that can offer salvation and there is no different name given, now and forever more, whereby we must be saved. This is perfectly consonant with Paul in Eph. 1:21 where he states that Christ has been raised “far above … every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.”
