There is Power in the Name of Jesus

Beloved, there is saving power in the Name of Jesus; there is healing power in the Name of Jesus; there is miracle-working power in the Name of Jesus. And this power is activated through FAITH in the NAME. The apostle Paul said by the Spirit that God exalted Jesus “to the highest place and GAVE HIM THE NAME THAT IS ABOVE EVERY NAME, that at the NAME of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (see Philippians 2:9‭-‬11 NIV). No wonder the spirits are subject to us in the Name of Jesus  (see Luke 10:17, 20). I rejoice because (in the Name of Jesus) my name is written in heaven, in the Book of Life (see Luke 10:20), for whoever calls on the NAME of Jesus shall be saved (see Romans 10:13). Jesus is “able to SAVE to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” (see Hebrews 7:25 NKJV). The apostle Peter says, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other NAME under heaven given to mankind by which we must be SAVED.” (Acts 4:12 NIV).And the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, in commanding His apostles to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature, said, “He WHO BELIEVES and is baptized WILL BE SAVED; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: IN MY NAME they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:16‭-‬18 NKJV).

In the Acts of the Apostles we see evidence of the power in the Name of Jesus. And for today's discussion I want us to focus on the healing of the lame man at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful. (see Acts 3). The Bible says that Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer (that is, the 9th hour or 3pm). It would be fair to assume that Peter and John were not expecting the encounter that they had with the lame man at the gate of the temple; nonetheless, they were READY or PREPARED for it. Paul, in his second letter to Timothy said, “Preach the word! BE READY IN SEASON AND OUT OF SEASON…”  (II Timothy 4:2 NKJV). This is an exhortation to us also to be ALWAYS ready or prepared to give witness to the resurrection of Jesus, and to do so with great power. Peter and John were ready when the opportunity came, when A CERTAIN MAN asked them for alms, a man who was lame from birth (a complete stranger whose name they didn't even know) who was ALWAYS CARRIED and LAID DAILY at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful to ASK FOR ALMS from those who entered the temple. This lame man was not asking for healing, he was only asking for money. Perhaps he didn't think anyone could give him healing, for he had been in that condition from birth, and he was over 40 years old. Besides, these mostly legalistic Jews from whom he always asked for alms had zeal for God, but not according to knowledge (see Romans 10:2), and so they had a form of godliness, but denied the power thereof. Thus the lame man seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple ASKED them for money only, not healing.

Beloved, when someone asks you for money, you can only give what you have; Peter didn't have any money at all (on him), and of course, you can't give what you don't have. But Peter had something that he knew the lame man needed even more; he had HEALING in the Name of Jesus. Peter knew he had it. Jesus had given all His disciples the authority to ask ANYTHING in His Name, and He WILL DO IT (see John 14:14). Peter took Jesus seriously and laid hold on His promises. Peter knew, as every believer needs to know today, that Jesus did not lie, Jesus meant what He said; no deceit was found in His mouth (see 1 Peter 2:22). Jesus had also promised that in His NAME His disciples (those who believe the gospel) will lay hands on the sick, and the sick WILL RECOVER (see Mark 16:18). Peter believed all of these promises. And so Peter, though he didn't have any money on him, HAD SOMETHING, and he was aware of what he had. Hence the Bible says that Peter and John both fixed their eyes on the lame man, they stared at him intently, and Peter said, “Look on us.” (see Acts 3:4). Beloved, let us not ignore people who ask us for alms, for we always have something we can give them, even when we don't have money. And when trying to administer healing in the NAME of Jesus, let us also be mindful to make eye contact with the sick person, and try to get the sick person to give us their attention or consent, so that they are expectant. The lame man in this story gave Peter and John his attention, EXPECTING to receive SOMETHING from them (see Acts 3:5). In this context he was expecting to RECEIVE MONEY from them, for that was what he was asking for. The lame man certainly didn't expect what was coming next. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I DO NOT HAVE …” (see Acts 3:6). In fact, if Peter had stopped at this statement, the lame man would've been utterly disappointed. Thankfully Peter didn't stop there; Peter HAD SOMETHING he wanted the lame man to know about and to RECEIVE from him. So Peter continued, “But WHAT I DO HAVE I give you:” (see Acts 3:6). Now, what did Peter have that he was so generous with? Peter had the HEALING POWER in Jesus’ Name. And Jesus had said, “Freely you have received, FREELY GIVE” (see Matthew 10:8). Therefore Peter gave it freely to the lame man. Peter said, “IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH, rise up and walk.” (see Acts 3:6). Hallelujah!

Beloved, Peter knew, indeed Peter believed, and he was aware that the NAME of Jesus had power to accomplish what he (Peter) had commanded; and so Peter wasn't going to accept any other outcome, he wasn't expecting any other outcome but to see the lame man rise up and walk in the NAME of Jesus, just like he had commanded. Therefore, Peter TOOK HIM (the lame man) by the right hand and LIFTED HIM UP (see Acts 3:7). Peter followed up his faith-filled command with the ACTION of lifting up the the lame man by the right hand, because Peter believed that what he had commanded in the NAME of Jesus MUST HAPPEN, it had to be fulfilled. The Bible says, and IMMEDIATELY the lame man’s feet and ankle bones RECEIVED STRENGTH (see Acts 3:7). So the lame man, leaping up (or jumping to his feet), STOOD and WALKED and entered the temple with them -- WALKING, JUMPING, and PRAISING GOD (see Acts 3:8). Glory to God! “And ALL THE PEOPLE SAW HIM WALKING and PRAISING GOD.” (Acts 3:9 NKJV). My dear reader, there is awesome power in the Name of Jesus! What a testimony the lame man now had! And he didn't hide his testimony, he didn't hide his miracle, he didn’t hide his joy; he walked and praised God for all the people to see. He praised God publicly, grateful, and joyful.

Indeed, Peter’s FAITH in the Name of Jesus was strong and unwavering. It was FAITH that would not be denied. It was FAITH that worked. Peter wouldn't take No for an answer. The Name of Jesus works, it cannot fail. And Peter understood it, he believed it. Now, how did the people who saw the lame man walking and praising God respond? The Bible says that they were filled with WONDER and AMAZEMENT at what had happened to the lame man (see Acts 3:10); they were GREATLY AMAZED (see Acts 3:11). But contrast their response with Peter’s response; Peter was not amazed, nor did Peter marvel, because he knew, he understood, and he believed that the Name of Jesus has POWER to accomplish ANYTHING. Those of us who believe in the Name of Jesus need not marvel at the mighty miracles, signs and wonders that are performed in the Name of Jesus; it should be normal to us. As believers, the supernatural is natural to us (in the Name of Jesus). Hence, our response is always to give the glory to God. Thus, when Peter saw the people's reaction, “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?” (Acts 3:12 NKJV). Peter gave the glory to God. He basically said “You marvel at this because you have the wrong perspective; you think it is by our own (human) power or (human) godliness that we made this man walk.” What Peter meant was that these people shouldn't have marveled if they knew that the healing was performed by the power of God, for with God nothing is impossible. Is there anything too hard for the Lord? Beloved, Peter was echoing the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:”‘Not by (human) might nor by (human) power, but by My Spirit’ Says the Lord of hosts.” (see Zechariah 4:6 NKJV, brackets and emphasis mine). The power in the Name of Jesus is the POWER of God, and we should not think it incredible that it accomplishes the seemingly impossible, like healing a man lame from his mother's womb, who is over 40 years old. As Paul said to king Agrippa, “Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?” (Acts 26:8 NKJV). Nothing is impossible with God. If you’re sick, receive your healing now in the Name of Jesus!

Beloved, Peter gave the glory to God when he revealed that the power that had healed the lame man is in the NAME of Jesus. He said that this Jesus is the Prince or Author of life, He is the glorified Servant of God whom you (men of Israel) denied in the presence of Pilate, when Pilate was determined to let Him go; this Jesus is the Holy One, the Just whom God RAISED FROM THE DEAD, of which we (His disciples) are witnesses (see Acts 3:13-15). “And His NAME, through FAITH IN His NAME, HAS MADE THIS MAN STRONG, whom you see and know. Yes, THE FAITH WHICH COMES THROUGH HIM has given him this PERFECT SOUNDNESS in the presence of you all.” (Acts 3:16 NKJV). Now, note carefully what Peter said here. He said that it was Jesus’ NAME that healed the lame man; through FAITH in Jesus’ NAME, the lame man was healed and made strong; the FAITH which comes through Jesus (for Jesus is the Author and finisher of our faith -- see Hebrews 12:2) gave the lame man PERFECT SOUNDNESS. Truly, Jesus’ NAME and the FAITH that comes through Him doesn't heal partially, it gives PERFECT SOUNDNESS. Jesus indeed is able to SAVE (redeem, deliver, heal, prosper, bless) to the uttermost those who come to God through Him (see Hebrews 7:25).

In the next post, we will discuss the response of the Jewish rulers to the healing of the lame man in the Name of Jesus, and what we can learn from the apostles with regards to responding to the threats that we face today from some government authorities, religious authorities and other opposing groups in carrying out our priestly duty of preaching the gospel to every creature. May you receive whatever you ask for in the Name of Jesus. Remain blessed. #UnveilingMysteries #SpiritLife #shareTheWord #FollowThisBlog