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!
B. Build Your Life on Christ
Matthew 7:24-25 (NLT): “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.”
When we build our lives on Jesus, we stand firm in every storm!
Are you building your life on Christ, or on the shifting sands of the world?
Illustration: A house built on sand may look fine until the storm comes. But a house built on the rock stands firm! Christ is our rock.
"Christ is the sure foundation. Build on Him, and you will stand forever." – Charles Spurgeon
3. Go! And Proclaim Jesus as the Only Saviour
Peter’s declaration in Acts 4:12 is one of the boldest statements in Scripture:
"There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”
A. Salvation Is Found Only in Jesus
John 14:6 (NLT): “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”
Jesus is not one of many ways—He is the only way!
B. The Urgency of Proclaiming His Name
Romans 10:13-14 (NLT): “For ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him?”
We are called to proclaim His name to a lost world!
Are you sharing the Gospel boldly?
Who in your life needs to hear about Jesus?
Illustration: Imagine you found the cure for cancer but kept it to yourself. How much worse is it to keep the Gospel from those who need eternal salvation?
"Christ is the only way of salvation. Reject Him, and you reject life itself." – John MacArthur
Conclusion: Go! And Proclaim His Name
Declare the power of Jesus’ name!
Stand firm on the cornerstone of Christ!
Proclaim Jesus as the only Saviour!
Call to Action:
Surrender every area of your life to Christ.
Commit to sharing His name boldly.
If you do not know Jesus, call on His name today!
Invitation to Faith:
"Lord Jesus, I believe You are the only Saviour. Forgive my sins, come into my life, and be my Lord. I surrender to You. Amen."
Hallelujah! Now go and proclaim His name!
