One name, one priest, one sacrifice

“Only they who believe in Jesus Christ shall be saved....those who are without Christ have no hope” (B.B. Warfield).

It may sound arrogant to modernistic ears but if we are to take Scripture, and even Acts alone, at face value, the conclusion must be that only those who hear and respond to the gospel by genuine faith will be saved. Acts is a missionary record of the early church which entertained the strong conviction that Christ must be proclaimed as Lord and Saviour.

No other deliverer is suspected or alluded to. It’s either salvation in and because of Christ, or else damnation by the same Christ as Judge at the last Day. Peter’s appeal after preaching Christ is to repent and be saved (Acts 2:37-40). Turning to Christ spells forgiveness (3:18,19); no other method is remotely suggested. Men must listen to Him and trust in His mercy (3:22-26).

Explicit statements are not lacking: Jesus is the exclusive Saviour (4:12). Remission of sins is found in Him alone (5:31). A believing response to the preached Christ is salvation (10:42-45). Salvation turns upon the preaching of the gospel (11:14).

Missions are meaningful and urgently necessary only because others needs to hear and believe (13:37-39). But those who persist in unbelief will be condemned (13:40-41). Repudiating the gospel is synonymous with being unworthy of eternal life (13:46). Embracing the gospel is finding life according to God’s predestinating plan (13:48).

Faith in Christ (and in no other) is always held up as the means of salvation (14:27; 15:11; 17:30,31; 26:17-20).

One Priest

Christ is the sinner's only Priest:

But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Hebrews 7:24.

So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Hebrews 9:28.

And having an high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith. Hebrews 10:21-22a.

One sacrifice

Christ is our only sacrifice:

Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Revelation 1:5b-6.

For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. Hebrews 9:26.

Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. Romans 3:24-25.

His sacrificial offering was made only once:

For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth he liveth unto God. Romans 6:10.

But this man, after he had offered once sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God. Hebrews 10:12.

I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Revelation 1:18.

His intercession continues ever:

And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 1 John 2:1b.

Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Romans 8:34.

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto god by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:24.