In The Name Of Jesus

So when they said in the name of Jesus, they were one with Him.

The power in the name of Jesus comes from who Jesus is, what He has done and will do through His Spirit within every disciple.

In the power and authority of Jesus, they simply told the paraplegic to rise up and walk.

All the book of Acts and throughout the ages, every miracle, every speech, every sign and wonder, is to point to Jesus and is the outworking of God’s heart and plan.

His heart is that none shall be lost and all may know and receive Him.

Let us look at the different responses to Jesus healing this man on that day all those centuries ago.

Acts 3:10-12 Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon’s, greatly amazed. So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?

Interestingly all the people knew he was the man who was once lame and as a result of seeing him walking, leaping and praising God, they were filled with wonder and amazement.

These words that have been translated as wonder and amazement are used sparingly throughout the New Testament and each time in response to the miraculous.

These emotions are a result of receiving a revelation beyond the normal. They are a testimony? of something so extraordinary, so totally awesome, that only God could do it!

All were filled with wonder and amazement. They were astounded.

The religious look to the two men and interpret what had happened through their pride and flesh. They believe that these two men must be so religious, say and do all the right things, to have this power that enabled the lame man to walk.

Yet Peter knowing their thoughts responds in great details who is the One who has the power and Jesus is His name.

Peter declares in his speech to the men of Israel that Jesus is, the glorified servant of God, the Holy One, the Just One, prince of life, the Christ the anointed One, who suffered, was raised from the dead by God and in whom salvation is obtained.

Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Remember a name is all encompassing. It is every thought, feeling, action and relationship associated with that name. Everything of who Jesus is and what He has done, is doing and will ?do is in His name. He Jesus, the saviour of the world.

In saying yes to Jesus is saying yes to everything associated with Him. That is who Jesus is, what He has done and will do. The name Jesus’ literal translation is, God is salvation. There is no other name by which we must be saved.

There were two very different responses to Peter’s speech. Let’s continue in Acts.

Acts 4:1-4 Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.