No Other Name Among Men?
His Name
No Other Name
By Dan L Baxley
What if you hear a Pastor (Preacher, Teacher, Minister, or Priest) tell you that there is no other name under heaven by which you must be saved? What comes to your mind first? What name, as a Christian comes to your mind? Here is a comment from a Commentary, found on the e-sword bible study software, a comment about a verse that says this very thing – there is not other name by which we must be saved – and what does this Commentor say? I quote this particular Commentary because it says and expresses the universal thought and thinking of the Professing and Profession of the Christian Community. This will be a comment about something Peter preached in His very first, we think, Sermon about our Savior – here is the quoted verse followed by the Comments –
(Act 4:12) Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Ellicott’s Commentary For English Readers:Given among men. Better, that has been given. The words must be taken in the sense which Peter had learnt to attach to the thought of the Name as the symbol of personality and power. To those to whom it had been made known, and who had taken in all that it embodied, the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth was the one true source of deliverance and salvation. Speaking for himself and the rulers, Peter rightly says that it is the Name “whereby we must be saved.” Where it is not so known, it rises to its higher significance as the symbol of a divine energy; and so we may rightly say that the heathen who obtain salvation are saved by the Name of the Lord of whom they have never heard. (Comp. 1Ti_4:13.)
What Name is it the Ellicott’s Commentary is promoting? Jesus Christ of Nazareth? Let’s try another commentary. This is to prove a point, and to make clear something that is very important, or should be to anyone confessing the Word is true and every man a … let’s wait on the rest of the quote, just a little longer.
Albert Barnes’ Notes On the BibleFor there is none other name - This is an explanation of what he had said in the previous part of the verse. The word “name” here is used to denote “the person himself” (i. e., There is no other being or person.) As we would say, there is no one who can save but Jesus Christ. The word “name” is often used in this sense. See the notes on Act_3:6, Act_3:16. That there is no other Saviour, or mediator between God and man, is abundantly taught in the New Testament; and it is, indeed, the main design of revelation to prove this. See 1Ti_2:5-6; Act_10:4
These two commentaries, commentaries from different eras, making some very, heavy statements about a certain name, and the importance of a very specific name. We can agree with just about everything these two commentaries have to say about the Biblical Messiah, except for one, very large, mistake. The name they are promoting is NOT and has never been the Name of our Savior. That’s right, these two accepted authorities in the Christian Communities, schools and church building and gatherings are teaching a preaching in another, different Name than the One we are told that we MUST be Save Into. The name, Geezus, or Jesus, did not exist when the New Covenant was written or recorded and it certainly was not around when Peter Spoke those words and made that, lifesaving, announcement.
I have tried to communicate this to several other in the profession of the Christian religion and no one will hear it. But, let’s not stop here, let’s look at some other comments.
F. B. Meyers Comments – Through the Bible Day by Day:
THE NAME ABOVE EVERY NAME
The Sadducee are particularly mentioned, because they were the agnostics of the age, and had no belief in the unseen and eternal. The fact of our Lord’s resurrection was, therefore, especially obnoxious to them. The captain of the Temple, who was head of the Levitical guard, was probably their nominee. How weak man shows himself when he sets himself against God! All that they could do was to shut the Apostles up; but they could not bind nor imprison the Living Spirit or the speech of one saved soul to another, and so the numbers of disciples kept mounting up.Peter must have contrasted this with his former appearance in that hall. Then he trusted his own power; now he was specially filled with the Holy Spirit for a great and noble confession. The name of Jesus stands for His glorious being. It was because the man had come into vital union with the ever-living Christ, that disease was stayed and health restored. The name of Jesus rings through these chapters like a sweet refrain. Evidently He was living and at hand, or the streams of power and grace could not have poured forth to make desert lives begin to blossom as the garden of the Lord.
No, the truth is, His Name, the Name His Heavenly Father gave Him, has been replaced for a different name. This begs the question, why? Why would our Creator allow the Name that is so connected with Salvation, to be corrupted or replaced? The only answer I have found that makes sense, at this present time, is to say – look at how horrible others, all people in general, have treated the fake name or names. The name the Christians use is used as a standard curse word, without even a thought, it is just blurted out in all sorts of obscenities. But, an era is coming when there will be an awakening to this truth and some very unscrupulous men and women will seek to make fame and fortune, small and great from this renew knowledge. It is in the Prophetic words of our savior.
(John 12:28) Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
Do you hear what this is saying? To say it is to be gloried again suggests that before this time, a time He is prophetically speaking is something future. With the foreknowledge that He would have, He would know that His Name would have to be renewed or brought to the front and center, to be gloried again. When we see this, we can then understand, better, what our Lord Savior meant by the following statement.
(Mat 7:21) Not everyone that says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of My Father which is in Heaven.(Mat 7:22) Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your Name? and in your Name have cast out devils? and in your Name done many wonderful works?(Mat 7:23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, you that work iniquity.
Of course, this is talking about what was happening right then and what was to come in the immediate future, by His going to the Cross, but this also has prophetic ramifications for the greater future as well, for the time He would Return, during a time His, the Father’s Name would be Glorified Again. The context of those last three verse make this abundantly clear.
We can see from this, that many will come before our Lord and Savior, professing their great works done in His Name. These false workers, either have the wrong name, which is very likely and or, too, they may know His Name but have used it for their own personal gain and now seek to gain some advantage in having used His Name in their works of greed. Either way, it becomes obvious that in the times to come, a renewal of His Holy Birth Name will be in use, will be known.
(Mat 24:4) And YaHshua answered and said to them, Take heed that no man (or woman) deceive you.(Mat 24:5) For many shall come in My Name, saying, I am Christ (Anointed ONE); and shall deceive many.
This is a warning, a Prophetic warning, coming straight from our Lord YaHshua. This is again, the making of His Name great again, glorified again. Many will come In His Name … do you hear it? And that many will confess their works, and that YaHshua is the Messiah, the Christ, the Anointed One, Yes He is, they will say – and deceive many.
We need to be on the alert, because, as He mentioned earlier, in chapter 7, it is the many, not the few, that are the deceivers. If these deceivers are preaching and teaching in His true Birth Name – as it says, they come in His Name -- then what could possibly be the deception? And, what, or who are the many in this present time, as we approach, closer and closer to the events leading up to His return?
It is from my own observation that I see and hear from those teaching that we must restore the Old Covenant, that are the many, the many who use His Name, the Name the Apostles preached and taught – the many that appear to want to become Jews, by acting like they think a restored Jewish religion ought to be. And for those pretending, on purpose or by accident or in pure ignorance (and I was once one of these), there is a warning for those entering the final eras of the ecclesia (church) –
(Rev 3:8-9) I know your works (deeds, even as to employment): behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for you have a little strength, and have kept My word, and have not denied My Name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue (church) of Satan, which say they are Jews (of the Jewish religion), and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
In this Philadelphia era of the prophetic church (ecclesia), there appears to be two opposing views. One view is that of becoming Israel, or favored as being like those of the Jewish religion – chosen of God – and these are at odds with another group, those of the Philadelphia era, a weak group who have walked through a doorway that no man can shut, and yet, these have only a little strength, or power of influence and most notably, they have not denied His Name. Those strong, and mighty, claiming to be what they are not, those who oppose the smaller, weaker believers having not denied Him or His Name. But, notice it does not say the mark on those of less strength has anything to do with Torah, or the Old Covenant in any way – their mark or sign, if you will, is not having denied His Name – something the whole world seems to do. Yet, there is a groups, who is working to be Jews or Israelite, or claiming to be, not just by saying so, but by acting out in the frame work of the Old Covenant. There are those, this very day, who say we must become an Israelite, that is, Jews and yet they do deny His Name. One such group that comes to mind are those of the defunct, World Wide Church of God, members and small splinter groups, scattered all over the world, claiming to be descendants of Israel, while promoting, still, the bogus name, JESUS. There are others too.
What is the Door, then, that this smaller, weaker people walk through? It is, I believe, the door He opens to the Freedom found in Him, while we wait His Return to RESTORE those things that need to be restored, things only He knows to be destined for restoration. This would include all the Tribes and nations of Israel – and at that time, a New Covenant will be made with the whole House of Israel – Jeremiah 31:31 – that Covenant is not the Promise Covenant our Lord offered at the Cross, the Covenant we have signed on to – that Covenant is a new covenant but not the one promised to Israel, when they, as a whole people will be converted in one day.
Before these mighty events and the Salvation of all Israel and Judah there will be an end-days people finding that Door to Freedom. And, my friends, that is a Door, that no man or woman can shut -- even if the world were to separate your head from your body -- the Freedom you have in your Savior, YaHshua, cannot be taken away, that Door can not be shut by man or woman or any self-righteous work or person or angel, good or bad.
Of course, there is another group, besides the Anglo Israel, mostly white European, British and American peoples, all proclaiming themselves to be Israel, there are also the Holy Name’s movements, the Hebrew Roots, and others, who are making capital and build their following in the attempted Restoration of the Old Covenant – their teachings center around the promoting and attempted restoration of the Old Covenant.
Of courses, none of them come right out and say they are Jews, but they do lean, heavily, into becoming Israelites by adoption teaching (a partial truth) but taking it a step further, they strive to become better Jews than the Jews themselves, or the people of old Israel, in attempting to do what they, the people of Judah and Israel could not. In a weird way, these kinds of works, sincere as they may be, are in denial of what our Lord and Savior, YaHshua said and has done for us and for them. All of them are in a different kind of sleep, sad, but true. Perhaps the Holy Names movement, Sacred Names people and groups, like the Rood followers, Restoration Ministries, the Assemblies of YaHWeH, the House of YaHWeH, along with many other, including the Jesus worshippers who are also claiming to be Israel and a few other loosely packed works, some who use both names interchangeably, such as the Shepherds Chapel, the one that comes to mind. All of them, ever learning but never able to come to the real truth.
Many, this very day are preaching in various dialects of His Name, and all with a single common denominator, the YH or YaH, or Yeh, YaHshua, YaHushua, Yehoshua and some others, having dropped the H from His Holy Name have inadvertently done violence to His Holy Name, and believe it or not, many of those latter groups or people have it in their heads that they are paying honor to His Holy Name, out of respect, they say – by cutting His Name in half? By dropping the H they say, but most who do this are doing it in ignorance, or just because their teachers are doing it.
These restoration type ministries are so deep into the Old Covenant that the New Covenant offering nearly gets lost. It is my understanding that our Savior came, not to make it possible for us to observe Torah (The Covenant made with Israel and again with Judah) but to find that narrow pathway, winding through the complexities of the uninspired governments of this world as we continue preserving His Holy Name, and by giving Him all of the credit for our being shown and finding this path of freedom, true freedom.
Freedom, true freedom? Of course. The Children of the King are free from all things, just as the children of any King is exempt from the laws governing the commons, like it or not, the King’s Children are privileged – it is as simple as that – but wait! Not bound under any rule or law? Yes, not bound, but obligated to do no harm to anyone, to be sensitive to the feelings and rights and laws of others – for we are strangers on this earth, we are aliens awaiting the arrival of our King – Romans 12:18. We, though children of the King, are obligated to live at peace with our fellow man and with the authorities that rule over mankind and to abide by the law of the lands we live in – like strangers, we are polite toward our host country, while we await our Lord’s return and our Citizenship from Heaven. For now, we render to the powers that be, what they demand of us and others under their temporary domain.
Listen as YaHshua, our Lord and Savior, answers a trick question, with an answer that is another reveal for us strangers on this earth, even in the land of our birth. The foolish religious leaders of that day, wanted to trick YaHshua into incriminating Himself against the occupying government, Rome and its leader. They asked if they, the Jewish people, should pay taxes to the tyrant, as they saw him, Caesar?
(Mark 12:17) And YaHshua answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marveled at Him.
Later, Peter is approached with a similar question and Peter knew how to answer because of the previous lesson about the paying of taxes. So, Peter answered correctly, and our Lord YaHshua took this opportunity to further that lesson about our conduct as strangers -- as the King’s kids living in domains that are not ours, yet.
(Mat 17:24) And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Does not your master pay tribute?(Mat 17:25) He said, Yes. And when he was come into the house, YaHshua stopped him, saying, What do you think, Simon? Of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? Of their own children, or of strangers?(Mat 17:26) Peter answered Him, Of strangers. YaHshua said to him, Then are the children free. (The answer would be, Of course, free)(Mat 17:27) Notwithstanding (Nevertheless), lest we should offend them, go you to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first comes up; and when you have opened his mouth, you shall find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee. (He paid the toll or tax)
Our freedom is complete, as kids of the Kingdom we are not obligated but we are to abide by the local rules and laws, even though we are bound by none, so as not to bring offense to the righteous of the world, not matter the government we live under. Even in another teaching we find that the governing bodies of the nations have a certain authority, responsible for keeping the evil found in and among mankind, in check. And we are to pray for those tasked with this responsibility – keeping evil in check.
(1Ti 2:1) I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;(1Ti 2:2) For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.(1Ti 2:3) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;(1Ti 2:4) Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.(1Ti 2:5) For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man The Anointed YaHshua; (1Ti 2:6) Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
When was the last time you prayed for the good the authorities governing the lives of its citizens for peace and safety?
(Heb 13:17) Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
If this applies to the ecclesia (church) in that time, then it also applies to the gentile authorities, wherever we, as believers and children of the King, may be temporarily living. Think about, we are called to be law abiding citizens, holding a dual citizenship. This, at times, may not have seemed so important but as we come closer and closer to the times called the End Times, we can see from the new and other media sources, in the modern times, the insanity and rebellion, war, murder and civil disorder of every king in every corner of the world – there is no escaping it – as a population we are not getting better but worse. We, are not to be part of this open rebellion.
YaHshua is going to return and restore what needs and should be restored. If the Old Covenant had proven perfect, it would save lives instead of destroy them – for the breaking of the Old Covenant, is the breaking of the Law, which is sin, and nearly all preachers and teachers know and teach that the wages of sin is death. Maybe you personally can keep the Old Covenant perfectly, maybe, many have tried and failed, but certainly as a group of people? All have sinned and comes short of the Glory of the Living God. This is why we need Him, our Savior. We must not deny what He did for us. It is through His perfection that we live and have life.
And so, why is it the world, has accepted a different Messiah, a different Savior?
We have read in three different Bible Commentaries the pat answers given for how important His Holy Name is, and then they use a completely different Name. Certainly all societies desire peace and all religions teach a similar morality, even atheist, self-help authors and therapist follow a proof set of rules and laws that agree with what the Bible classifies as righteous. So, what is really different, then, with those who profess to be followers of the God of the Hebrew/Christian writings, or Bible? The NAME. Even those in strong disagreement over doctrine are claiming and proclaiming the same false name, JESUS.
The Commentaries quoted are examples of this very thing, different, but the same.
He could not have been born with the name JESUS, because it never existed when He was named the name given to Him. The translations the Christian Churches use are all in error – the truth is there, the message is there within those pages, the plan for Salvation and the saving of the world, it is all there, but our Creator has allowed the enemy to cover, and to replace His Name and the Name of His Son.
Let’s have a look at a very detailed and worthy study, from a recognized Bible Teacher. Bob Utley. With all of this knowledge and detail, the most important detail, the detail that has to do with the main subject of this verse, Acts 4:12, that Peter announce in the most dramatic fashion, that there was not other name to be found among men by which we MUST be saved, and yet, this next Commentary continues, like all the others, to promote this lie.
Commentary Series, by Dr Bob Utley:Act_4:12 "there is salvation in no one else" This is a strong double negative. There is no salvation in Abraham or Moses (cf. Joh_14:6; 1Ti_2:5; 1Jn_5:10-12). What a shocking claim! It is very restrictive but also very obvious that Jesus believed that only through a personal relationship with Himself can one know God. Peter boldly proclaims this to that elite Jewish leadership. This has often been called the exclusivistic scandal of Christianity. There is no middle ground here. This statement is true or Christianity is false!▣ "there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men" The participle "has been given" is a perfect passive. God has ordained this! Jesus is His answer to mankind's spiritual need. There is no Plan B! For a good book on the exclusivistic claims of Christianity see H. A. Netland, Dissonant Voices: Religious Pluralism and the Question of Truth.▣ "among men" Notice the universal element (cf. Joh_3:16; 1Ti_2:4; 2Pe_3:9).▣ "by which we must be saved" This phrase has two verbals.1. dei, present active indicative, "we must" (see full note on dei at Act_1:16)2. sôthçnai, aorist passive infinitive of sôzô, "to be saved"The word for "save" has two usages in the NT.1. physical deliverance (OT sense, cf. Mat_9:22; Mar_6:56; Luk_1:71; Luk_6:9; Luk_7:50; Act_27:20; Act_27:31; Jas_1:21; Jas_2:14; Jas_4:12; Jas_5:20)2. spiritual salvation (NT usages, cf. Luk_19:10; Act_2:21; Act_2:40; Act_2:47; Act_11:14; Act_15:11; Act_16:30-31)The lame man experienced both. The religious leaders needed to trust Jesus as their only hope for acceptance and forgiveness! Humans need to be saved (cf. Rom_1:18 to Rom_3:20) and Jesus is the only way for this to be accomplished (cf. Rom_3:21-31). The OT quote in Act_4:12 shows He has always been God's plan (cf. Isa_8:14-15; Isa_28:14-19; Isa_52:13 to Isa_53:12).___________________What a wonderful study, and all of it pointing to the “other", other savior, the one of men, not Heaven. If anyone comes in any other name? The other name cannot be YaHshua, because YaHshua is the One Name He was given at Birth, so, it has to be, and is -- any other name but the name He was named. He told us that this would happen –(John 5:43) I am come in My Father's Name, and you receive Me not: if another shall come in his own name, him you will receive.Watch this, from another verse, and see how it changes when His Name is restored. First, the standard, accepted translation quote – King James Version:(2Co 11:4) For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.Now, the same quote but corrected by a Sacred Names Bible –
2Co 11:4 For if he who comes preaches another YaHshua, whom we did not preach, or if you receive a different spirit, which you did not receive, or a different "good news", which you did not accept, you put up with that well enough.
Here is the punch line. Maybe I should have led off with this? Still, if you are still reading -- the punch line --
The Unity with YaHshua, the First Fruit, that is, the First Born of the Living God, is found in the Name Given to YaHshua. This prayer request, to keep, or bind up those disciples, in the very name that the Father Gave to Him, YaHshua, would be the future sign or mark, His disciples would know and have and accepted. But, what do we see? We see a different name from that Name given to Him by His Holy Father.(John 17:11) I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy FATHER, keep them through Your Name which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are. WEB(John 17:11) I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of Your Name--the name you gave me--so that they may be one as we are one. NIV(Joh 17:11) And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. ESV
(Luke 1:30) And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.(Luke 1:31) And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.
Opps! Jesus? Here is were the lie or the deception begins. That name, Jesus, never existed when the Angel Gabriel was talking to Mother Mary in that first Century AD. Nope, could not have been that fake name, no way. However, down through the ages, from the BC to the AD, His Name has been preserved, even though only a few see it today, the number of those coming into this knowledge is growing. Here is this verse properly translated and corrected.
Luke 1:30 The Angel (Gabriel) said to her, "Don't be afraid, Miriam, for you have found favor with the God (of all the Heavens and this Earth).Luke 1:31 Behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and will call His Name 'YaHshua.'"
That Name, YaHshua, existed then and even before, dating back to the times of Moses, a Name found among Men, just as Peter would teach and is recorded in Acts 4:12. Later, in the Old English, this name would appear as, JOSHUA and never pronounced as Geezus, or Jesus. Geezus or Jesus, followed the Latin Iesvs, neither of which came close to His Holy Name, the Name the Father gave Him. The Old English, from the 15th century, came close but, it was in that same century His Name was changed and replaced with Jesus. The Greeks, back in the first century began changing His Name to fit in with the favorite gods they cherished, like Zeus, a god that appeared to have many of the same attributes of this new god, YaHshua. It is somewhat ironic that even today the false name, Jesus, is pronounced by many in the world, as Heyzeus or The Zeus. By restoring His true birth Name, we unlock a truth that is very much connected to our Salvation, our Savior and our Heavenly Father.