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Go! And Proclaim The Name Of Jesus! - Acts 4:10-12 Series
Contributed by Dean Courtier on Mar 15, 2025 (message contributor)
Summary: Names have significance. They carry meaning, authority, and identity. A name can open doors or close them. A name can bring honour or shame. But there is one name that is above every name—the name of Jesus!
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Go! And Proclaim the Name of Jesus! - Acts 4:10-12
Introduction: The Power of a Name
Names have significance. They carry meaning, authority, and identity. A name can open doors or close them. A name can bring honour or shame. But there is one name that is above every name—the name of Jesus!
In Acts 4, Peter and John stood before the religious leaders of their time, boldly proclaiming the name of Jesus. They had just healed a lame man in the name of Jesus (Acts 3:6-8), and now they were being interrogated by the Sanhedrin—the same council that had condemned Jesus to death. In the face of opposition, Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, declared the truth of salvation in Jesus’ name.
Let’s read our key passage today:
Acts 4:10-12 (NLT): "Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead. For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’ There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”
This passage contains a bold declaration of the Gospel, a powerful affirmation of Jesus’ authority, and a call to salvation. Today, we will explore three key truths from this passage:
Go! And Declare the Power of Jesus’ Name
Go! And Stand on the Cornerstone of Christ
Go! And Proclaim Jesus as the Only Saviour
1. Go! And Declare the Power of Jesus’ Name
Peter boldly proclaimed that the lame man was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene! The name of Jesus is not just a title—it carries divine authority and power.
A. The Power in His Name
Throughout Scripture, we see that God’s name represents His character and authority.
In the Old Testament, God revealed Himself through different names:
Yahweh-Jireh – "The Lord Will Provide" (Genesis 22:14)
Yahweh-Rapha – "The Lord Who Heals" (Exodus 15:26)
Yahweh-Shalom – "The Lord Is Peace" (Judges 6:24)
But in the New Testament, God gives us the supreme name—Jesus (??s???, Iesous)—which means “Yahweh Saves.” His name carries divine power because it is through Him that salvation, healing, and victory come.
B. Jesus’ Name Has Authority Over Sickness and the Enemy
Peter had no power in himself to heal, but the name of Jesus had power!
Mark 16:17-18 (NLT): “These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages… They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.”
The name of Jesus is not just a name—it is the authority of heaven!
C. Jesus’ Name Has Power Over Sin and Death
Philippians 2:9-11 (NLT): “Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Jesus' name carries ultimate authority! One day, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess His Lordship. But today, we have the opportunity to willingly bow before Him and proclaim His name with boldness.
Are you declaring the power of Jesus’ name in your life?
Are you praying in faith, trusting in the authority of His name?
Imagine a police officer directing traffic. The officer does not have the physical power to stop cars, but when they raise their hand, cars stop. Why? Because they carry the authority of the government behind them. In the same way, when we proclaim the name of Jesus, we carry the authority of heaven behind us!
"There is more power in one whisper of the name of Jesus than in all the voices of hell combined." – Adrian Rogers
2. Go! And Stand on the Cornerstone of Christ
Peter quotes Psalm 118:22 when he says: “The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.”
A. Jesus Is the Rejected Stone
The religious leaders had rejected Jesus, crucifying Him. But God had exalted Him! The world may reject Christ, but He remains the only foundation of salvation.
Isaiah 28:16 (NLT): “Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken.’”
In ancient buildings, the cornerstone was the most important stone—it set the foundation and alignment for the entire structure. Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith!