"Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk" (Acts 3:6).
You and I can have the highest assurance and total confidence in the power and name of Jesus today.
In our society a name identifies a person. A name distinguished one from another. But in Hebrew culture the name indicated much more. The name expressed the essence of the person's being. So if one was to preach or heal in the name of Jesus it was to release the power of Jesus in that person’s life for that present situation.
In scripture we see where Peter healed a cripple in Jesus' name (Acts 3:1-10). Later he called the crowd that gathered to repent and believe in Jesus’ name. (Acts 3:11-26). Peter and John were arrested because of boldly preaching in Jesus’ name. (Acts 4:1-4).
Acts 4:7-12 (KJV) And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
What a difference in the use of Jesus' name by Peter, and by the church. As God, Jesus was actually present in power when Peter healed the cripple, even as Jesus is present in power with His people today. It was not magic that healed the cripple. It was the power of God, and Peter's use of Jesus' name was an expression of faith that Christ's essential power could meet the cripple's need.
Today, even in the 21st century, we are to pray, speak, and live in the utter confidence that the One on whose name we still rely, is present with us too. Jesus' power still flows, and we are told to meet every challenge in His name.
By God’s Grace
Dr. Steven N Thompson I
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