Only Jesus Saves — Acts 4:1–22
Sep 30, 2026 26266
Only Jesus saves. That conviction drives Peter and John’s courage when they are told to stop speaking about him. What have they seen and heard that makes them so certain?
Acts 4:12
[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.” (ESV)
[Watch this week’s video devotion with Dave Miers]
Why only Jesus saves
Peter and John have been arrested. A man who had never walked has been healed in chapter 3, and they have been telling the gathered crowd about Jesus. Now the religious leaders want an explanation: by what power or name did they do this?
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter gives a clear answer. Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom they crucified and God raised from the dead, has made this man well. The Jesus they rejected is the cornerstone of everything God is doing (4:10-11).
What conviction drives the apostles? Only Jesus saves.
There is no other way to be forgiven of our sin and restored to a relationship with God. Our religious efforts cannot save us. We cannot find another saviour who can deal with our sin and the death we deserve.
Jesus lived the perfect life we have failed to live. He died in our place for our sin and rose again. We receive his forgiveness by trusting him.
That is an exclusive claim. It is also why making Jesus known matters so much. We want to be kind neighbours, and we want our neighbours to know the Saviour.
[Watch this week’s video devotion with Dave Miers]
Their conviction drives their courage
Peter and John had heard Jesus teach, watched his life and seen him alive after his death. When the council orders them to stop speaking in his name, they cannot agree.
Acts 4:19–20
[19] But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, [20] for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” (ESV)
Their conviction drives their courage. They must obey God and speak about Jesus, even when there are consequences.
We haven’t seen the risen Jesus as they did, but we have their eyewitness testimony. I wonder whether sometimes our lack of courage comes from a lack of conviction about him. As we dwell on who Jesus is and what he has done, we have every reason to make him known.
The Good News is…
The Jesus we speak about is alive, and he offers forgiveness and new life to those who trust him. We can depend on his Spirit to give us courage. Even if our words come out haltingly, we can tell someone who Jesus is and how he has changed our lives. Let’s ask God for that boldness.
Like and share so others can see Jesus clearly.
Further reading: Acts 4:1-22
Reflection
Ask God to deepen your conviction that only Jesus saves and give you courage to speak about him with someone this week.
Rev. Dave Miers
President, Good News Unlimited