The Eleventh Lord’s Day

11 The Eleventh Lord’s Day
Acts 4:12
Neither is there salvation in any other. For there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.
In these words is contained the reason for the answer that Peter gave to the multitude having come together, to the question they asked about the good work done to the crippled man, Acts 4:9. The question was how he was healed and delivered from his sickness? The answer was that he was made whole by the name of Jesus Christ; that is, by that divine authority and power of which Jesus Christ was the author. The reason for this answer and deed is taken from the nature and power of Jesus Christ, which is shown and declared in this verse, from its effect. Namely, it brings salvation to men, spiritual as well as corporal. And this effect is so affirmed about this cause — that is, about Christ — that it is denied about all others. So that there are two assertions contained in these words, of which the first is, that Jesus Christ offers salvation to men. The second is that no other can bring salvation. The reason for both these assertions is given: because the name, that is, the power and authority of saving, which is signified by the name Jesus, is given to him and to no one else. For by name in this verse (because it is referred to Christ in Acts 4:10), Christ himself is understood, as signified by that name of Jesus or Saviour. Just as by the name of God, God himself is often thus understood in Scripture. But along with the power and authority of Christ to save, is that which is made known in more illustrious persons by their titles, and solemn styles, by which is declared their quality, and what they import — for the significance of the name Jesus is taught here. Lastly, regard is made to our Faith, which properly looks at the name of Jesus Christ, and of God the Father, that is, Christ and God the Father, as they are proposed to us and named in the Gospel.
Doctrine 1. Jesus Christ saves us from all our sins.
This is what is signified by the appellation1 of his name, and is proper to the name, containing in itself the whole sum of our Redemption and its application. It also signifies the end of his incarnation, humiliation, and exaltation. Now Christ saves us by his satisfaction, merit, and efficacy. By satisfaction, because he removes the guilt of sin and wrath of God that were hindrances to our safety, and could not be removed by us. By his merit, because he procures for us the favour and right to all those blessings that used to be communicated to the sons of God. By his efficacy, because by his Spirit he effects indeed, and works all in us that belongs to our salvation. In this way therefore, he saves us from all our sins as to the guilt, to the punishment, to the duration, and to the defilement.
Reason 1 . Because he was given by God his Father for this end: that is, he was eternally predestined for that end, promised from the beginning, exhibited — for this end, I say (as he himself professes), that he might save sinners, 1 Timothy 1:15. In these words the Apostle Paul glories much, as in a precious treasure.
Reason 2 . Because he was fit in every way to produce this effect: that is, to procure this salvation, which follows most certainly from this, that he was sent by God for this end. For God sends no one to perform any duty, whom he does not instruct, and make fit to accomplish it. To this also belongs all that was said before about the divine and human nature of Christ, and what will be said shortly about the spirit resting upon him without measure, and the like.
1 Identifying word or words by which someone or something is called and classified, or distinguished from others. 
Reason 3. Because willingly and of his pleasure, he gave himself to the performance of all these things that were necessary for our salvation. 
Use 1. Of Direction: that we may yield and surrender ourselves wholly to Christ to be saved.
Use 2 . That with all Admiration of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, we may live to him; that is, as being saved by him, we may yield to him all thankfulness, and strive to do him all honour and homage to his glory.
Doctrine 2. Beside Jesus Christ, there is no Saviour.
This is express enough in the Text: Neither is there salvation in any other, etc. There are no other Saviours either in whole or in part, nor joint with him. There are no other causes of our salvation, either subordinate or ministrating, properly so-called; none at all.
Reason 1 . Because none is like or equal to Christ, that could do the same that Christ did for our salvation. For he is the only begotten Son of the Father, the only Immanuel, God with us, Godman, in one person, the only Mediator between God and man, 1 Timothy 2:5.1
Reason 2. Because God gave and proposed no other Saviour to us, as it is in the Text.
Reason 3. Because if there were any other Saviour, then such exclusive assertions could have no place, as they occur everywhere in Scripture.
Whoever does not believe in Christ shall die: The wrath of God shall abide on him.2 Without him we can do nothing,3 and the like. Nor yet are there any Mediators in part. 
Reason 1. Because Christ perfectly saves those that believe in him, so that they do not need in any way to seek salvation in any other, Hebrews 7:25.4
Reason 2 . Because our salvation cannot be so divided into parts that one part may be sought from one, and one part from another; for so it might come to pass that one might be partly saved, and partly damned. Nor are there subordinate and ministering causes, because properly, he saves us by himself, Hebrews 1:3.5 Now, the saviours that were typical, and the Ministers of the Word, who now also are said to save many, together with the Word and Sacraments, which also save — all these are only said to save because they are the adjuncts and instruments of this only Saviour, serving him in the application of salvation previously purchased by him. It is not that they are causes together with him of his salvation, nor that they have in themselves the power and virtue of saving anyone, if we speak properly. 
Use 1. Of Refutation: against Papists who in many ways join other saviours to Christ, such as 1. While thrusting Angels and blessed spirits upon us as saviours, to be religiously invoked. 2. While teaching men to place their trust and hope in the satisfactions of men, and in the pardons or indulgences of Roman Bishops.1 3. While seeking to save themselves
1 Matthew 1:23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.
2 John 3:36 “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” 
3 John 15:5. 
4 Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. 
5 Hebrews 1:3 “when He had by Himself purged our sins.”
by the merit of their own works, and by placing some faith and confidence in them.
Use 2 . Of Exhortation: that in every greater and lesser part of our salvation, we not only fly to Christ, but also depend purely, only, and wholly on him, saying with the Psalmist, Whom have I in heaven but you, and I delight in none on earth beside you, Psalms 73:25.
Doctrine 3. All that is made known to us in Scriptures that is to be done concerning our Lord Jesus Christ, ought most of all to be done by us, as bringing salvation to our souls.
For in this sense it is said in the Text not simply that Jesus saves us, but that the name of Jesus Christ does it — that is, Jesus Christ as he is proposed to us in Scriptures, to be apprehended by Faith.
Reason 1 . Because such is the nature of our Faith, as it differs from sight, which we are to have in the life to come, that it is not carried simply and absolutely to Christ, but only as he is proposed to us in God’s Promises.
Reason 2. Because in the word of God, nothing is taught of Christ which does not directly make for our Faith, and for advancing and confirming our salvation, John 20:31.2
Reason 3. Because that charity and thankfulness that we owe to Christ requires this: that we highly esteem all things that belong to him, seeing that otherwise we are not worthy of him. 
Use 1. Of Reproof: against the slowness and sluggishness of our minds; we can hear and read many things concerning Christ, without any affection or lifting up of our hearts to him. 
Use 2. Of Direction: that we may get for ourselves that knowledge of the name of Christ that may be sufficient for us in all our necessities; and that we may put this into practice and use it when we are pressed either with our sins, or our inward corruptions, or the Devil’s temptations, or the world’s allurements, or with afflictions, or when we are in the midst or danger of death. For thus, in the name of Christ we have a Magazine3 or rich Well, from which at all times, or on any occasion, we may draw or take something of salvation, according to what the prophet spoke, Isaiah 12:3, When you have drawn waters with joy out of the Wells of this salvation, you shall say, etc.4
1 Indulgences did not end with the Reformation. While reasserting the place of indulgences in the salvific process, the Council of Trent in 1563 condemned “all base gain for securing indulgences”. Pope Pius V abolished the sale of indulgences in 1567. Yet the system and its underlying theology otherwise remained intact. Exactly 400 years later, in 1967, Pope Paul VI modified it by shifting the stress away from the satisfaction of punishment, to the inducement of good works, greatly reducing the number of plenary indulgences and eliminating the numerical system associated for so long with partial indulgences. (Ency. Britannica, “Indulgence”)
2 John 20:31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. 
3 A storehouse (such as a compartment on a warship) where weapons and ammunition are stored. 
4 Isaiah 12:3-4 Therefore with joy you shall draw water out of the wells of salvation. 
4 And in that day you shall say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.