The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 158

lions. And still it is as true as ever it was, that God makes Jesus Christ, for each soul's Rr.lvation o.nd lifo, the " tried Stone, the precious Comer-stone, the sure l!'oun<la- tion; o.nd he that bolieveth on him shall not be ashamed."-R. T. Ver. 12.-Tlie one saving Name. As one of the earliest preachings or t.he gospel, this sermon contains e. striking illustro.tion of the simplicity of tho gospel message. From it we may learn what things were sot forth as the primary and essential facts of Christianity, before the development of Christian doctrine. TheolO"'Y is a science formulated by hume.n genius; for it we are ma.inly indebted to Augustine and Anselm and Calvin. But it would be a sad thing indeed, for the thousands of" way- faring men," if an adequate apprehension o! a human theology were essential to personal religion. 'fhis sermon deals with facts, with the known historical facts of our Lord'~ life, death, and resurrection; and with the ?Jnl,nown facts, declared upon the apostolic authority, of Christ's office, commission, and authority, as risen and exalted. Upon these facts the sermon makes deductions and applications, as in our text. I. SALVATION, Some have strangely suggested that by this word St. Peter only refers to bodily healing, and simply asserts that in Jesus Christ is the true miraculou~ power. But we cannot thus lose the deeper meanings and applications of truth. Sin is the great human ill, and salvation, to be any salvation at all to man, must deal with and compass it. For this sin that has wrought and is working in us we need" salva- tion," and it is but to mock us to say that Ghrist is not the Saviour from sin. Show what a large, comprehensive word" salvation" is; compare it with healing, teaching, reforming, etc. It is the word which expresses the deepest need to which any soul can ever awake. A.t the very edge of death the a.roused jailor cries, '' What mnst I do to be saved 1" Plead as to whether there bas yet been open vision to the discovery uf this master-need. What, indeed, can it profit any one of us to gain the whole worhl, and have our soul unsaved ? II. SALVATION BY A NAME. 1. A name stands/or a person, and includes whatever rights may belong to him. Illustrate by the amba.ssa.dor acting in the name of the queen; travellers finding so.fety in using the name of Englishmen; Moses coming forth in the Name of Jehovah. So the apostles went forth, spoke and wrought, in the Name of Christ. And salvation is by the Name, i.e. by the present rights and power of the living Saviour, whom apostles introduced to men. 2. A name standsfcrr a plea. As St. Paul used his name as a Romnn citizen. 'l'he Name of Jesus isa sufficient plea to secure acquittal, for all due satisfactions have been wrought by Christ. The Name of Jesus becomes a sufficient plea to secure acceptance, for all required righteousness he.s been won by Christ; and we, by faith united to him and bea.ring his Name, come into his power and share his rights. III. SALVATION ONLY BY ONE NAME. "None other name" is designed to be exclusive. Then see what it excludes. Few, perhaps, will now actually substitute something/or Christ, and deliberately say, "I will not be sa.ve<l by Christ." But there was, in older timea, e. subtle substituting of fancied idea.a about God',; mercy ; and there is now danger of our substituting knowledge and science, Many will try to put something along with Christ. Men try to join their own name with Christ's; or they put together the Virgin. Mary and Christ ; or the Church e.nd Christ; or even, in subtle forms, the Bible and Christ; or feelings and Christ. All are wrong things if they are set in the first place with Christ; all may be good if kept in their proper second places. For soul-salvation there is only one Name; the essential thing is that we stand m living relations of faith and love with him whose "Na.me is above every name." IV. SALVATION IN THE ONE NAME FOB ALL, Otherwise it could not be exclusive. If it is to be the only Na.me, then it must be the all-sufficient Name, or God would be deceiving us in permitting such broad and gracious invitations to be made to us, Th~ real wants of men are common to all men. \Ve all we.nt health, love, knowledge, and truth; and it is equally true that we all want pardon of our tre.ngressions, liberty from the slavery of self and sin, the life of righteousness, e.nd the hope of the eternal glory. "Salvation" gathers up all these, o.nd all these are found in and through Christ Jesus only. CONCLUSION. The we.y of salvation keeps its simplicity. And '.'to you is the wonl of Lhis salvation sent." Thore is one Name-only one Name; believe, and you ;,h:ill lltl 15i THE ACTS OF 'l'HE APOSTLES. [en. 1v. 1-37.