To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whoever believes in him shall receive remission of sins.
him.
Acts 26:22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:
Isaiah 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Jeremiah 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
through.
Acts 3:16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
Acts 4:10-12 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole…
John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
whosoever.
Acts 13:38,39 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: …
Acts 15:9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
that everyone who believes in Him
This phrase emphasizes the inclusivity of the gospel message. Salvation is not limited to a specific ethnic group or social class but is available to all who have faith in Jesus Christ. This was a radical concept in the first-century Jewish context, where the covenant relationship with God was primarily associated with the Jewish people. The universality of belief is echoed in passages like John 3:16, which states that "whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."
receives forgiveness of sins
Forgiveness of sins is a central theme in Christian theology, signifying the removal of the barrier between humanity and God. In the Old Testament, forgiveness was often associated with sacrificial offerings, as seen in Leviticus. However, the New Testament reveals that Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate atonement for sin. Hebrews 9:22 states, "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness," highlighting the necessity of Christ's sacrifice for the remission of sins.
through His name.
The name of Jesus holds significant power and authority in Christian belief. In biblical times, a name represented a person's character and essence. Philippians 2:9-11 speaks of God exalting Jesus and giving Him "the name that is above every name." The invocation of Jesus' name in prayer and baptism signifies the believer's identification with His death and resurrection. Acts 4:12 reinforces this by declaring, "there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."
- From Genesis forward, the Spirit-inspired prophets consistently pointed to a coming Redeemer (Luke 24:27, 44; John 5:39).
- Isaiah paints the suffering yet victorious Servant (Isaiah 53); David voices the Messiah’s agony and triumph (Psalm 22).
- Peter reminds us that “the prophets who foretold the grace to come…searched intently” about Christ (1 Peter 1:10-12).
- Cornelius hears Peter anchor Jesus in this prophetic chain, showing that the gospel is not a new idea but God’s long-promised plan.
- The gospel flings the door wide—Jew or Gentile, rich or poor, young or old (Romans 10:12-13; Galatians 3:28).
- Peter’s audience includes Gentiles, proving God’s promise was never limited to one ethnicity (Acts 10:34-35).
- This “everyone” honors God’s heart to bless “all the families of the earth” first spoken to Abraham (Genesis 12:3).
- Salvation is received by trusting Jesus, not by earning favor through rituals or merit (John 1:12; Acts 16:31; Romans 3:21-22).
- Belief means relying on Christ’s finished work—His sinless life, atoning death, and bodily resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
- Faith is the hand that takes hold of the gift God freely offers (Ephesians 2:8-9).
- God’s holy justice demands sin be punished; the cross satisfies that demand, so forgiveness can be granted righteously (Romans 3:24-26).
- “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses” (Ephesians 1:7; see also Colossians 1:13-14).
- Forgiveness is complete, not partial—He casts our sins into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:18-19).
- The perfect tense of “receives” underscores a present and lasting possession for the believer (Acts 13:38-39).
- A name in Scripture carries authority and character; Jesus’ name represents all He is and all He has done (Philippians 2:9-11).
- “Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
- Praying, baptizing, and preaching in His name affirms dependence on His power, not ours (John 14:6; 1 John 2:12).
- Jesus lives forever to intercede, so every plea for mercy made in His name is heard (Hebrews 7:25).
Acts 10:43 gathers the storyline of Scripture into a single sentence: the prophets point to Jesus, and absolutely anyone—Jew or Gentile—who places wholehearted trust in Him is immediately and irrevocably forgiven. That pardon rests on the unshakable authority of His name, the name above every name.
(43) To him give all the prophets witness.--As in St. Peter's earlier speeches in Acts 2, 3 so here, we trace the result of our Lord's teaching given in the interval between the Resurrection and Ascension as to the method of prophetic interpretation which discerns, below all temporary and historical references, the under-current of testimony to the kingdom of which Christ was the Head.That through his name. . . .--We can without difficulty represent to ourselves the impression which these words must have made on the anxious listeners. This was the answer to their doubts and perplexities. Not by submitting themselves to the bondage of the Law, not by circumcision and all that it implied, but by the simple act of faith in Christ, and in the power of His Name, i.e., of all the attributes and energies of which the Name was the symbol, they, Gentiles as they were, might receive that remission of sins which conscience, now roused to its full activity, taught them was the indispensable condition of acceptance and of peace. The intensity of that emotion, the satisfaction of all their previous yearnings, placed them subjectively in a spiritual condition which prepared the way for the wonder which the next verse narrates.
Verse 43. - Bear for give, A.V.; every one that for whosoever, A.V.; on him for in him, A.V. Here we have another article of the Creed, the forgiveness of sins, preached too in immediate anticipation of baptism, on the profession of faith in Jesus Christ (ver. 48). Comp. Acts 8:37 (T.R.) and 38.