Jumpstart: A Dispensational Devotional | The Sobering Exclusiveness and Wonderful Inclusiveness of the Gospel

Acts 4:1-12

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). There is only one Savior for everyone living under heaven. There is only one Name, Jesus Christ of Nazareth (Acts 4:10), by which men can be saved. There is no other Savior and there is no other Name. Jesus is the only way, and no one can come to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). This is sobering exclusiveness and wonderful inclusiveness! It is exclusive in that everyone who does not believe on the Lord Jesus Christ is excluded from heaven and will not receive the gift of eternal life. It is inclusive because God has provided full salvation for every sinful soul on planet earth without exception (John 3:16; 4:42; 6:33-35), but each person must come to Christ in order to obtain eternal life. No one is excluded from God’s free and gracious offer of salvation except for those who exclude themselves by unbelief (1 Tim. 2:4; Rom. 10:8-13; Rev. 22:17).

According to the gospel of political correctness, every religion must be recognized as equally valid, and no religion should ever be condemned or labeled as a false way leading to destruction. However, various religions make contradictory claims. For example, Christianity proclaims a risen Saviour; Islam teaches that Christ never rose from the dead. These beliefs are contradictory and cannot both be true. God’s Word is truth (John 17:17), and any valid belief system must line up with God and His Word. Those who are politically correct and relativistic are quick to condemn Christianity for insisting that God has revealed absolute truth and that God has absolute rules and laws which govern man both for time and eternity. Let God be true but every man a liar (Rom. 3:4)!