"መዳንም በሌላ በማንም የለም" Acts 4:12: Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church’s Understanding, Part II

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC) holds a profound understanding of the Scriptures, emphasizing Jesus Christ's unique role in salvation (ድኅነት). A key verse that reflects this belief is Acts 4:12, "መዳንም በሌላ በማንም የለም።" This essay continues from Part I, exploring the Church's interpretation of this verse and clarifying common misunderstandings about "healing."

The misunderstanding of Acts 4:12, "መዳንም በሌላ በማንም የለም," arises in two main ways:

1. Some think that the meaning of Christ’s healing that is proclaimed in this verse is similar to the healing that saints do.

2. Others think that the salvation (healing) Christ performs is similar to that of the saints.

The healing mentioned in this verse refers to Christ’s salvation. St. Peter and St. John performed this healing to direct people to believe in Jesus Christ. People gathered to understand the source of the physical healing, St. Peter proclaimed that Jesus Christ is the ultimate source of humanity's salvation.

EOTC interprets this verse as when St. Peter declared, "መዳንም በሌላ በማንም የለም," he was testifying that Christ is the Son of God, the Savior, the Healer, and the Son of the Father. This declaration came in response to the authorities who sought to kill Christ accusing him that He made himself equal to God (John 5:18). St. Peter was emphasizing that through Jesus Christ, our sins have been erased, our curse has been canceled, and Adam and his descendants have been restored to their former glory. This healing cannot be compared to the healing performed by the saints.

God, the source of all grace, manifests His work through holy people and angels. These holy individuals and angels heal by the grace they receive from the Lord, in the name of Jesus Christ. They assist believers on their journey to eternal life, healing them from diseases and demonic imprisonment through miracles, protection, and intercession (ምልጃ). There is ample biblical evidence on how saints and the righteous heal, please refer to our recent essays on the intercession of living and departed saints.

Therefore, understanding this verse requires recognizing that Christ’s healing (salvation) and the saints' healing are distinct. The healing referred to in Acts 4:12 is unique to Christ and cannot be compared to or mixed with that of the saints.

In conclusion, by recognizing the distinction between Christ's unique healing power and the healing performed by saints, the EOTC strongly affirms that the mystery behind the healing performed by saints is the power and name of our Lord Jesus Christ. This affirmation underscores the Church's belief that there is no one other than Christ and the Trinity behind the saving power of the saints. The saints' healing is a reflection of Christ’s divine power and grace, manifesting through their intercession and miracles.

“መዳንም በሌላ በማንም የለም” Acts 4: 12: Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church’s Understanding Part I

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church's (EOTC’s) interpretation of Acts 4:12, "መዳንም በሌላ በማንም የለም," emphasizes the exclusive role of Jesus Christ in salvation. This is evident when Peter declares, “እናንተ በሰቀላችሁት እግዚአብሔርም ከሙታን ባስነሣው በናዝሬቱ በኢየሱስ ክርስቶስ ስም ይህ ደኅና ሆኖ በፊታችሁ እንደ ቆመ፥ ለእናንተ ለሁላችሁ ለእስራኤልም ሕዝብ ሁሉ የታወቀ ይሁን። … መዳንም በሌላ በማንም የለም፤ እንድንበት ዘንድ የሚገባን ለሰዎች የተሰጠ ስም ከሰማይ በታች ሌላ የለምና።” This essay examines how the EOTC interprets this verse, highlighting Christ's sole role in salvation while recognizing the healing power granted to saints through His name.

When St. Peter proclaims, "መዳንም በሌላ በማንም የለም፤ እንድንበት ዘንድ የሚገባን ለሰዎች የተሰጠ ስም ከሰማይ በታች ሌላ የለምና" in response to the authorities, he is not declaring that saints and righteous cannot perform healing. Instead, he affirms that the healing of the lame man occurred through the power and name of Jesus Christ. As a saint himself, Peter declares,"I healed the lame man in the name of Jesus Christ." Therefore, any assertion that claims saints and righteous cannot heal contradicts Peter's testimony, as he clearly testified that saints can heal in the name of Jesus Christ. Accordingly, when the EOTC asserts saints can heal, it means they do so through Jesus Christ's name. Acts 5:15, Acts 19:11, and 2 Kings 13:20 are among many pieces of evidence supporting this belief.

However, it is important to distinguish between the healing Christ performed and that which saints and the righteous do. Christ's healing and salvation are unique and irreplaceable, solely the work of Christ. Freeing Adam from hell and opening paradise are acts only Christ performs. This salvation cannot be achieved by holy angels or saints. It is crucial to understand that the salvation of Christ and the healing by saints are distinct and should not be mixed. Christ’s salvation cannot be repeated by anyone. All other healing is a blessing derived from Christ's healing.

The EOTC, guided by the Holy Spirit, interprets Acts 4:7-12 as follows: St. Peter and St. John performed this healing as a sign to lead people to believe in Jesus Christ and to teach them He is the source of eternal life. When the authorities gathered to learn about the physical healing and miracles, filled by the Holy Spirit St. Peter declared, "መዳንም በሌላ በማንም የለም," to inform them that Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully man, who redeemed us from sin by His divine power. The authorities, who opposed their teaching in Jesus' name, claimed lineage to the prophets. St. Peter clarified that without belief in Jesus Christ and relying solely on the prophets, salvation is not possible.

In conclusion, the EOTC's interpretation of Acts 4:12, "መዳንም በሌላ በማንም የለም" underscores the incomparable significance of Christ in the path to eternal life. While acknowledging that saints can perform healing, it emphasizes that the ultimate source of salvation is found solely in Jesus Christ.