Register

Log in

Categories

Tags

Acts 4:12 (Misinterpreted Scriptures)

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Misinterpretation: This Scripture is often quoted by Oneness Pentecostals as a proof for the importance of baptism in Jesus’ Name. Their reasoning is that no one will be saved except by the Name of Jesus, so that means that people must be baptized in the Name of Jesus to be saved.

Facts: No true Christian doubts that a person will only be saved by the Name of Jesus. However, Peter was not talking about baptism in Acts 4:12. He was answering the question that the high priest had just asked him, "By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?" (Acts 4:7 KJV). Peter answers that the power, or Name, that he has done these things through is the Name of Jesus, "[F]or there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

Some members of the UPC would probably continue to debate this point with me. They might claim that the Bible says "we must be saved" by the Name of Jesus. My response would be that it is God’s grace working through our faith that saves, not baptism, and I agree that if a person does not believe in the Name of Jesus then they will not be saved. However, I do not believe that a person must be baptized in the Name of Jesus to be saved. To believe that is the equivalent of teaching that Jesus will send people to hell for obeying Him (cf. Mat. 28:19).

Is Jesus really going to send people to hell for taking him literally when he commanded his disciples to baptize in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost? People who baptize this way are not denying Jesus, they are actually doing their best to obey Him! You see, it is not what is said during baptism that saves you, it is God’s grace working through faith.

«
»

3 Responses to Acts 4:12 (Misinterpreted Scriptures)

  1. Bernie Yeater
    July 16th, 2008 at 4:22 am

    Is Acts 2:38 really talking about what the minister is saying? Could it be what the believer is saying?

    Could Acts 2:38 really be talking about a confession of faith in our Lord?

  2. jacob
    October 26th, 2011 at 8:50 pm

    I am so thankful for sites like this so christians can unite…i was raised oneness too and still attend a upc after not going for 7 years and it seems like the old teachings are dieing with the old preachers but the upc has a lot more to go through if they want to effectively change one life at a time

  3. Yellow
    February 2nd, 2012 at 7:45 pm

    My pastor would have explained it like this: matthew 28:19 is like a formula (for Jesus name baptism) “.. baptizing them in the name of the Father(Jesus) and of the Son(Jesus) and of the Holy Ghost(Jesus)”

Share Your Wisdom:

(Please read the rules and the note on privacy below before commenting!)


A note on privacy: The only reason I require an email address is to cut back on spam. Your email address will never be shared or published. It will also never be used to contact you unless A) you request that I write you or B) you email me directly (in which case I will assume you do not mind me responding).

I have no problem with people using a fake name and email if you are concerned about your privacy, as long as you do not create a false identity just to harass other users. (Yes, people have done that; yes, I can see when it is the same person using a different name and email address; and yes, I have banned them.)

If you would like to easily create a private email address for use with this site then Gmail or any other free webmail service will work fine.

The Rules:
  • No debating. The comments are for comments on the article, not lengthy debates about other visitor's posts. This is not a forum.
  • No attacking other users. This follows from the point above. Feel free to attack me, I'm used to it. But don't be surprised if your comment does not make it out of moderated status =)
  • No trolling [definition]. All comments are moderated, so if you're a troll don't waste your time. Your comment will never see anything but my inbox, followed by a very rapid trip to the trash.
  • No posting Bible studies, even if they agree with my views. However, feel free to link to a Bible study that you have written, as long as it is on topic. Links to Bible studies about unrelated issues will not be posted. Links to Bible studies that you have not written will not be posted.
  • Read the four introductory pages to this site (Home, About, My Story, Mission Statement) before making assumptions about my motives or the purpose of this site.
  • Think before you type =). I'm not out to censor anyone, and I am pleased to say that I very, very rarely have to delete comments (just skim the comments on almost any page and you will see that I am not censoring views that disagree with mine). But the visits to this site have grown steadily almost every month, and increased visitors means increased visibility to the folks who just want to stir up trouble. If you read these rules and post with the right attitude then I am sure there will be no reason to delete your post =)
  • Besides the rules, I reserve the right to delete comments for any reason that I deem necessary. So far I have never taken advantage of that right, but it is there.
  • Think before you type. Yes, I repeated it on purpose =). If you're mad, then take some time to cool off.
  • Did I mention that you should take some time to cool off before you type?
  • Last but not least, take some time to cool off before you type =)
    •

switch to mobile version