The Name of Jesus in Luke-Acts with Special Reference to the Gentile Mission

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2021

Abstract

Shelton, James (2021) "The Name of Jesus in Luke-Acts with Special Reference to the Gentile Mission," Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology: Vol. 6 : No. 1 ,

Peter declares “There is no other name . . . by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12); yet later he says, “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation, anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him” (10:34–35a). Are there then those among the Gentiles who follow God without hearing the name of Jesus, or are all who have not heard the name lost? The question, often posed in “either/or” discourse terms, fails to understand the meaning and scope of the name of Jesus and the urgency of the mandate to proclaim the gospel to every person. God is able to reveal himself to whomever he wills; yet every culture and creature therein need Jesus in his fullness. This divine-human synergy can only be approached as a mystery, a paradox juxtaposing sovereignty and the missional mandate given to the church.

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