April 16th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON ACTS 

JESUS ALONE IS YOUR SAVIOR   

Acts 4:12 (Read verses 5-12) “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”    

Peter and John were brought from prison to appear before the rulers, Elders and teachers of the law on the next day after healing a lame man. These men asked Peter and John, “By what power or what name did you do this?” (Acts 4:7)  

Peter gave this answer: “It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is “ ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’” (Acts 4:10-11) This was not the answer the Jewish leaders wanted to hear. Peter was led by the Holy Spirit to give this answer and then the Holy Spirit caused Peter to add the words of today’s devotional verse, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”  

Many today still struggle with Peter’s answer. Surely, since God loves the entire world and desires all to be saved, He must rescue and save people in many different ways. Because there are so many different religions and religious beliefs, people argue, there must be many different pathways that lead to heaven.    

The truth of God’s Word says to the world that wants to give God many different names and assign a vast variety of different messages from God there is only ONE GOD (Deuteronomy 6:4 and 1 Corinthians 8:4) and He sent Jesus to take away the sins of the world (John 3:16) and only because of God’s undeserved love for sinners He gives faith in Jesus alone (John 14:6 and Ephesians 2:8-9) through whom you and all who believe in Him shall inherit eternal life.  

Prayer: Jesus, Your blood and righteousness are my glorious dress. In You alone I believe! Thanks be to You for rescuing me from hell by paying for my sins through Your holy life, suffering and death and glorious resurrection. Amen. 

Jesus priceless treasure, Fount of purest pleasure,  
Truest friend to me, Ah, how long in anguish  
Shall my spirit languish, Yearning, Lord, for Thee?  
Thou art mine, O Lamb divine!   
I will suffer naught to hide Thee; Naught I ask beside Thee. 

In Thine arms I rest me; Foes who would molest me  
Cannot reach me here. Though the earth be shaking,   
Ev’ry heart be quaking, Jesus calms my fear.  
Lightnings flash and thunders crash;   
Yet though sin and hell assail me, Jesus will not fail me. 

Satan, I defy thee; Death, I now decry thee;  
Fear, I bid thee cease. World, thou shall not harm me  
Nor thy threats alarm me While I sing of peace.  
God’s great pow’r Guards ev’ry hour;  
Earth and all its depths adore Him, Silent bow before Him. 

Hence, all earthly treasure! Jesus is my pleasure,  
Jesus is my choice, Hence, all empty glory!  
Naught to me thy story Told with tempting voice.  
Pain or loss, Or shame or cross,   
Shall not from my Savior move me Since He deigns to love me. 

Evil world, I leave thee; Thou canst not deceive me,  
Thine appear is vain. Sin that once did blind me,  
Get thee far behind me, Come not forth again.  
Past thy hour, O pride and pow’r;  
Sinful life, thy bonds I sever, Leave thee now forever. 

Hence, all fear and sadness! For the Lord of gladness,  
Jesus, enters in. Those who love the Father,  
Though the storms may gather, Still have peace within,  
Yea, whate’er I here must bear,  
Thou art still my purest pleasure, Jesus, priceless treasure!  

Jesus, Priceless Treasure // LSB 743

Public Domain // Used by Permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110000198