Only One Name: Why Acts 4:12 Destroys the Catholic Practice of Praying to Saints and Mary
Why Jesus is the Only One We Should Pray To
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I’m Mark, and this space is for the wanderers, the worn out, and the ones still wrestling with God at 2 a.m. I don’t have all the answers, but I know the One who does—and I’m learning to trust Him more.
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“There is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
— Acts 4:12
What This Verse Means
Acts 4:12 is very clear: only Jesus can save us. There’s no one else who can do it. Not Mary. Not the saints. Not even a pastor or priest. Just Jesus.
But the Catholic Church teaches people to pray to Mary and the saints, asking them for help or to talk to God for them. That goes directly against this verse.
Only One Name Saves
When you’re drowning, you don’t call out to ten people—you yell for the one who can save you.
That’s what Acts 4:12 is saying. There is only one name that can rescue us from sin and death: Jesus.
Praying to saints or Mary doesn’t help. It actually shows we don’t fully trust Jesus to do what He already promised.
Can Saints or Mary Hear Us?
No, they can’t.
The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 9:5 that the dead “don’t know anything.”
They aren’t listening in on your prayers. They’re not sitting in heaven answering requests.
Also, 1 Timothy 2:5 reads there is only one mediator between God and man—Jesus.
That means we don’t need anyone else to carry our prayers. Jesus already made a way.
Did Jesus Ever Teach Us to Pray to Mary or Saints?
Not once.
When the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, He said:
“Our Father who art in heaven...” (Matthew 6:9).
He didn’t say, “Pray to my mother,” or “Ask Saint Peter for help.”
Jesus taught us to pray to God the Father in His name—that’s it.
Was Mary Sinless or Perfect?
No.
In Luke 1:47, Mary called God her Savior. If she needed a Savior, she had sin just like everyone else.
The Catholic Church teaches that Mary was perfect and can help us get to Jesus. But the Bible doesn’t say that.
Mary was faithful, but she was not divine. She doesn’t sit next to Jesus handing out blessings.
Why This Is a Big Deal
When people pray to saints or Mary, they’re trusting someone other than Jesus.
That’s dangerous. It’s like trying to use a fake key to unlock a locked door.
Jesus said:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
There’s no shortcut. Just Jesus.
You Can Pray Directly to God
When Jesus died, the curtain in the temple was torn in two. That curtain used to separate people from the presence of God.
God tore it Himself to show that through Jesus, anyone can come directly to Him.
“Come boldly to the throne of grace.”— Hebrews 4:16
That means you don’t need Mary. You don’t need a saint.
You just need to come to Jesus.
What Should You Do With This Truth?
If you’ve been taught to pray to Mary or saints, now is the time to stop.
The Bible says there is one name that saves. One mediator. One way to God.
That name is Jesus.
Personal Testimony
As a former Catholic, I can confirm that Catholics do indeed worship Mary. However, they might not say those exact words or they’re unaware of what they’re doing. A common rebuttal with Catholics when challenged is, “Well we don't worship her, we venerate her.” This argument doesn't hold water because the definition of idolatry is excessive veneration. We must pray for and inform Catholics of this false teaching.
Reflective Questions:
Have you ever prayed to a saint or to Mary?
What does Acts 4:12 teach you about who saves us?
Are you willing to stop following tradition and trust only in Jesus?
What steps can you take to build your relationship with Him directly?
Conclusion
The Bible doesn’t leave room for confusion: only Jesus saves, only Jesus hears, and only Jesus is worthy of our prayers. Acts 4:12 isn’t just a verse—it’s a line in the sand. It separates man-made religion from real, saving faith.
No matter what tradition you were taught or how sincere you may have been, the truth is this: praying to saints or Mary is not biblical, and it distracts from the only name that can rescue you—Jesus.
You don’t need a saint’s favor. You don’t need Mary’s approval. You need the Savior who already died for you, rose again, and invites you to come straight to Him—no middlemen, no candles, no extra names.
So take hold of the truth. Let go of tradition. And cling to the name above all names—Jesus Christ.
Call to Repentance:
If you’ve been trying to earn your way into heaven, it’s time to stop striving and start surrendering. Today can be the day everything changes. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 6:2, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” Don’t wait for a better moment. Turn from your sin, believe in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, and receive the gift of eternal life. He is calling—respond to Him today.
Call to Action:
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