Acts 4: 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's something about that name!