Ron Cosby
“And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved” (Acts 4:12 ASV).
Jesus is called Savior. “And we have beheld and bear witness that the Father hath sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.” (1 John 4:14 ASV; cf. Eph. 5:23). Jesus did not die to save men from the slums of Chicago or Cairo, but the sins of their souls. He did not die to save mankind from worry or war, poverty or politicians, hatred or heartache, or illness and pain. Heaven announced that Jesus saves from sin, “And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21 ASV).
Salvation is only in Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). Muhammad Ali, who was a Muslim, wrote concerning his mother, “My mother was a Baptist. She believed Jesus was the Son of God, and I don’t believe that. But even though my mother had a religion different from me, I believe that on Judgment Day my mother will be in heaven.” Jesus responds by letting all know that He is the door to heaven (John 10:7-9). Paul adds that Jesus is the only mediator (1 Tim. 2:5-6). To say that salvation may be obtained outside of Christ is to conclude that the crucifixion of Jesus was unnecessary (Gal. 2:21). The belief that there is one God and only one way to God stands at the center of the Christian gospel.
Jesus’ way of salvation shows He is unique. It is not by money or by great and precious gifts, nor is it through conquering the world. During the Crusades, Catholics assured those who might be injured or killed a reward in heaven. Not to be outdone, Muslims in the Middle East encourage men and children to blow themselves up, promising them a heavenly reward of martyrdom for suicide. Muslim martyrs are assured of 70 virgins in a heavenly harem—more generous than the Catholic offer.
The truth is, we must give self (Matt. 16:24-25). It starts with faith (John 8:24) and immersion in water unto the remission of sins (Luke 7:29-30). Faith and obedience are necessary (2 Thess. 1:9-10). Jesus is the fountain of forgiveness.
There’s a fountain free, ’tis for you and me:
Let us haste, O haste to its brink;
‘Tis the fount of love from the Source above,
And He bids us all freely drink.
It may be politically incorrect to claim Jesus as the unique Savior of the world, but it is Biblically correct. Jesus is unique because salvation is only in Him. Certainly, His salvation is unique, but we are saying He is unique because of His salvation (John 8:24; 6:67-68; 14:6).
