15, February, 2023, Wednesday.
Resolved Only through the Gospel(Acts 4:12)
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
Hymn #96 Who, You Ask Me, Is My Jesus(Unified Hymn 94)
If you really know the answer of "only Jesus," then the answers of "only; uniqueness; and re-creation" will come. If I don't have answers to prayers, it means that you don't sufficiently understand the background regarding why Jesus is the only way. First, look at the situation of the Early Church. Because "only Jesus" was proclaimed, other religious groups protested. It became even more problematic when the people of Mark's upper room, who looked insignificant, exclaimed "only Jesus." Above all, it sounded insane to the Jewish people who believed that salvation was only possible by keeping the Law. In addition, the Romans persecuted Christians for 250 years for using the word "kurios," which was only used for emperors. The more important aspect was the future. Anti-discrimination laws to legally ban the use of "only Jesus" were created. At that time, what background did Paul possess as he relayed the Gospel?
1. Jesus' Method
The first work that Jesus did was to heal a man who could never be healed(Matthew 8:17). This is the main content of the four Gospels. Because Peter knew that all problems could be resolved only through the Gospel, he used the name of Jesus and raised the lame man who sat at the temple gate called Beautiful(Acts 3:1~12). When Peter stood in the court of law because of what he did, he boldly declared, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."(Acts 4:12)
2. Paul's Method
Paul's main areas were the fields of fortune-telling(Acts 13:5~12), shamanism(Acts 16:16~18), and idols. He plowed into fields that could be resolved only through the Gospel. He knew that the spiritual problems and diseases caused by fortune-telling, shamanism, and idols could only be cured through “only Jesus.”
3. The Reactions That Followed
After healing the sorcerer, the proconsul received grace. After healing the demonpossessed girl, the prison warden was saved. Through that influence, the answers, "I must visit Rome also," and "I must also testify in Rome," came out.
Solely with the Gospel, you already possess the power to heal diseases that doctors cannot cure. When you pray in the name of Jesus Christ, one day, you'll surely see those answers that have already come.
[Covenantal Prayer] Dear God, help me come to my answers through "only Jesus." May I see the answers of "only; uniqueness; and re-creation” that have no choice but to heal those who are sick and the world. Help me save those who've fallen into darkness. In Jesus Christ's name, I pray. Amen.
237 Tuesday Disciple Training, Lecture 1 / 26, April, 2022.