Acts 4 - There's Something About That Name!
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.
Commentary
When parents pick out a name for their newborn child, there is usually a lot of thought that goes into it. Names are often picked based on the name of someone in the family, even if it only ends up in their middle name. Sometimes a name is chosen base on a specific historical figure or beloved person. Sometimes parents pick their child's names based on the meaning or "etmology" of the name.
For instance, we named our son, Ethan. The name is Hebrew in origin. Ethan, wrote songs in the temple and is credited with writing Psalm 89. His name means "solid", "enduring", or "rock-like". Ethan's middle name is "Dimyan", which is a family name on my wife's Lebanese side of the family. We named our daughter "Isabella Grace". Isabella means "consecrated to God" and Grace means "gift". It is a variant of "Elizabeth", which was my grandmother's middle name, and my mom was named "Betty", which is often a nickname for Elizabeth.
In the Old Testament, God gave people specific names related to his calling on their lives.
What’s in a Name?
The fact that in the Old Testament God went out of his way to make a connection between someone’s God-given name and the essentially important thing about that person is significant. For example, Genesis 17:5: Abram changed to Abraham. “No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.” Or Sarai changed to Sarah: “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations” (Genesis 17:15–16) And then Jacob changed to Israel when God says, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed” (Genesis 32:28). (John Piper)
In Acts 4, we see the importance of Jesus' name, as the apostles proclaim salvation in Jesus' name and do signs and wonders in Jesus' name. Jesus means "God saves" or "God is salvation". It comes from the Hebrew word "Yeshua" which is translated "Joshua" in English. As you know God sent Joshua to bring the Israelites into the Promised Land. The Land where Jesus, the Messiah, would be born.
As we look at the passages today, we see how important it was that the apostles, led by Peter, proclaimed and prayed in the power and authority of Jesus' name. Peter makes a bold statement in Acts 4:12 that there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we may be saved. Jesus said essentiallly the same thing in John 14:6 when he said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me!"
We also pray "In Jesus' Name", because we pray in the authority that His name brings. We pray by faith trusting that Jesus can do whatever we ask of Him in His name.
"And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." John 14:13-14
"In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name." John 16:23
There was a hymn written by the legendary duo Bill and Gloria Gaither in 1970 called. "There's Just Something About that Name."
So, Jesus is the only name by which may be saved. Then, we pray in the authority of Jesus name for healing and deliverance of evil spirits. Finally, Paul in Philippians 2:5-11 writes to the early church about will happen one day when Jesus returns in great and promised glory.
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Jesus went from the highest place, being in equality with God, emptied himself, and became a servant even unto death on the cross. Because of this God raised Jesus from the dead and exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow and tongue confess that "Jesus Christ is Lord"!
It's a shame that Jesus' name often only gets used as a swear word! And while people can get away with that now, one day Jesus will return. Ironically one that day those same people will swear in a different way. They will swear that "Jesus is Lord!" whether they came to believe in him or not One of my favorite praise songs is "Come Now is the Time to Worship". The chorus goes like this,
"One day every tongue will confess, one day every knege will bow, but still the greatest treasure remains for those who gladly choose you now!"
The Greatest Treasure for any of us that we will call on the name of Jesus and be saved. One day we will be praising His name forever and ever so we might as well start practicing now!
Application
1. How do you use the name of Jesus? How does it change your prayer life when you realize what it means to end your prayers, "In Jesus' name"?
2. Be aware of when you use Jesus' name in vain. Considering how precious His name is, it would be good for us to avoid this, even if we are just joking around.
Prayer
"Jesus, you are the name above all names. One day every knee will bow and tongue confess that You are Lord! As we use your name, may we realize the tremendous power and authority that it brings. May we glorify and honor you in all we say and do. In Your precious name we pray. Amen.
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