Power In The Name Of Jesus Series

UNDERSTANDING POWER PRINCIPLES

POWER IN THE NAME OF JESUS - POWER PRINCIPLE THREE

OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of this lesson you will be able to:

• Explain the importance of names in Bible times.

• Identify the greatest name which is above all others.

• Identify the meaning of the name "Jesus."

• Explain how Jesus got His name.

• Identify Biblical guidelines for using the name of Jesus.

KEY VERSES:

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name:

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in Heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)

INTRODUCTION

You have learned of the power and authority given by God to Jesus Christ and how Jesus delegated this same power and authority to believers. One of these powerful spiritual principles is the use of His own name. This teaching focuses on power in the name of Jesus.

THE IMPORTANCE OF NAMES

In Bible times names had an importance they do not have today.

• In many modern cultures, a name is often used only as a personal label.

• In Bible times, great significance was attached to a person's name.

• The name given was often determined by some circumstance at the time of birth (Genesis 19:22). Sometimes the name expressed a hope or a prophecy (Isaiah 8:1-4; Hosea 1:4).

• Because of the importance of names in Bible times, God changed the name of several people.

• He changed the name of Abram to Abraham in view of his destiny:

Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. (Genesis 17:5)

• The name Abraham meant "father of a great multitude."

• Sarai to Sara

• Jacob to Israel .

• Simon is called "Peter"

• Saul becomes "Paul." Their names reflected their destinies in God's plan.

• Because of the importance of the meaning of names, God selected a very special name forHis only Son.

THE NAME OF JESUS

The name of Jesus was given to the Son of God when He came to earth in human form. It was given in obedience to the command of an angel to Joseph, the husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus:

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21)

The name "Jesus" means "Savior." Jesus had other names too. He is commonly called

Jesus Christ, Christ Jesus, Lord Jesus, and Lord. These are also combined into the title the"Lord Jesus Christ." "Christ" means "anointed One."

Jesus is once called "Emmanuel," which means "God with us." Jesus called Himself "The Son of Man" and He is often called "The Son of God" in New Testament writings. John calls Him "the Word" and "the Lamb of God."

There are many other titles given to Jesus, such as the "bread of life," the "light of the world," etc. Each of the names given Jesus is important in understanding His position and ministry.

But our Lord is most commonly spoken of by the name of "Jesus" throughout the NewTestament. It is this name to which we refer in this chapter on power in the name. It isthe name of Jesus, sometimes combined with His other names, that is used in thedemonstration of God's power through believers in the book of Acts.

HOW NAMES ARE OBTAINED

There are three ways great men obtain their names:

BY BIRTH:

Some people are born with a great name. They are born as a prince, princess, or child of a great tribal leader. They may be born into a family with a name known for great wealth or political power. They inherit their great name through their parents.

BY ACHIEVEMENT:

Some people make a great name by their personal achievements. They become great writers, inventors, politicians, and leaders.

BY CONFERRING:

Other people receive a great name because it is conferred upon them. They are given a great name by another person. For example, a poor woman may receive the name of a rich politician when she marries him. A king or tribal leader may give a title of importance to one of the people in his kingdom or tribe.

HOW JESUS GOT HIS NAME

Jesus received His name in all three ways that great men receive their names on earth:

BY BIRTH:

Jesus received His name by birth, through inheritance from His Father:

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets. Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds; Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on High; Being made so much better than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. (Hebrews 1:1-4)