Friday, April 25, 2014

Acts 4: There's Something About That Name

Something incredible is happening in Jerusalem in the weeks after Jesus' ministry.  His disciples (Peter and John) are carrying on His practice of working miracles!  They admit that they don't do this through any strength of their own, but through the power of Holy Spirit and in the name of Jesus Christ.

Think the concept of Jesus' name is pretty important?  Look at how often it is referenced in the days immediately following Pentecost:

"Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you.  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." (3:6)

"By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong.  It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see." (3:16)

"It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from from the dead, that this man stands before you healed." (4:10)

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven give to men by which we must be saved." (4:12)

Of course, it is also the name of Jesus that the religious authorities react against:

"But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name." (4:17)

"Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus." (4:18)

The apostles knew this was a law of man they could not follow.  So they prayed,

"Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant, Jesus." (4:30)

{And, looking ahead to tomorrow's reading, when the apostles get in trouble again for their teaching:}

"We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name.  Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood." (5:28)

"Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go." (5:40b)

"The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name." (5:41)

As the song says, there is something about that name!

2 comments:

  1. One of my favorite verses of Scripture comes from this chapter. Acts 4:13 says "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus." I love the concept that someone can tell, just from looking at you, that you have been with Jesus. Granted I am not an unschooled man, but I do consider myself pretty ordinary. It is my hope that as I mature in the Christian faith, that people will simply be able to look at me and say "this man has been with Jesus."

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  2. Yep, Josh. I have met people for the first time and known they were believers. It is a cool thing to exude Jesus. Life would be more interesting if every believer was obvious. I 'd love to start God conversations with strangers without feeling strange!

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