She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
- Matthew 1:21
I, even I, am the Lord,
and apart from me there is no savior.
- Psalm 43:11
What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”
Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?
- 1 Corinthians 12:13
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,
- Colossians 1:19
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
- John 14:6
“Q. Why is the Son of God called Jesus, that is, Saviour?
Because he saves us from all our sins, and because salvation is not to be sought or found in anyone else.
Mt 1:21; Heb 7:25.
Is 43:11; Jn 15:4, 5; Acts 4:11, 12; 1 Tim 2:5.
- Heidelberg Catechism, Question 29
“Q. Do those who seek their salvation or well-being in saints, in themselves, or anywhere else, also believe in the only Saviour Jesus?
No. Though they boast of him in words, they in fact deny the only Saviour Jesus. For one of two things must be true: either Jesus is not a complete Saviour, or those who by true faith accept this Saviour must find in him all that is necessary for their salvation.
1 Cor 1:12, 13; Gal 5:4.
Col 1:19, 20; 2:10; 1 Jn 1:7.
- Heidelberg Catechism, Question 30
The Message
These questions seem odd, and the answers seem rather wordy.
Jesus is named Jesus because the name Jesus means “salvation.” The question and answer above are valid, but they leave out the definition which ties things together.
I think question 30 is written in careful legalistic wording to be precise, and soften the blow to those who pray to saints, try to work their way into Heaven, or might be cult-like in believing something extrabiblical is needed for salvation. Many mainstream denominations have become derailed by little issues.
I watched a panel discussion on television one day when a caller was distraught.
His question, which seemed asked while crying, was how can anyone claim that the thief on the cross was saved, when he was not water-baptized and he had not repented.
The panel said that indeed he had repented when that thief told the other thief that they deserved to be there, but Jesus did not. His heart had changed. Jesus is indeed the only Way and the only thing necessary. We need nothing to be added.
And baptism is a symbol of the baptism of the Holy Spirit that occurs when we quit rebelling against God.
As one pastor on the panel said, “When the thief got to Heaven, if anyone asked him why he was there, his answer was, ‘The One in the middle told me to come here.’”
These questions use a lot of references and not John 14:6 that says it plainly. There is a reason for that. Jesus is not changing the rules when He makes this I AM statement. He is fulfilling what God inspired the Old Testament writers to write down.
And now let us sing.
Here is Jesus sung by Chris Tomlin.
Closing Prayer
Dear Lord,
We believe in You. Lord, You paid the price for our salvation. Only a perfect sacrifice would do and You met the criteria. By no other means can we get to the Father except through You. We praise Your Holy Name.
In Thy name we pray,
Amen
Soli Deo Gloria. Only to God be the Glory.
Leave a Reply