The Power of the Name of Jesus

The Name of Jesus continues to be marginalized by government-led programs in our nation. Workers are told not to avoid using Jesus' name in prayer, instruction, and in many so-called routine conversations.

The Marginalizing Of Jesus' Name In The Early Church

The apostles faced the same problem when Peter and John healed a crippled man.

Acts 3:6 "Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."

Peter pulls the crippled man up, his legs strengthen, and he is physically healed! No one could deny he was crippled, and no one can deny he was healed.

The Power In A Name

I find it interesting that in Acts 4, the Sanhedrin (which is a governmental assembly) questions Peter and John about the healing.

Acts 4:7 "They had Peter and John brought before them and began questioning them: "By what power or what name did you do this?"

How strange? Why did they ask by what POWER or NAME the crippled man was healed?

The answer is found in what they all believed is found in a name.

"In Semitic (relating to or denoting a family of languages that includes Hebrew, Arabic, and Aramaic) thought, a name does not just identify or distinguish a person; it expresses the very nature of his being. Hence, the power of the person is present and available in the name of the person."

In Jewish culture, when a person's name is spoken, the nature of his being is released. The power of the person is manifested in the name of the person.

The Lord's very nature and all of heaven are expressed in His Name.

No wonder the Sanhedrin tried to marginalize the name of Jesus because His very nature is released at its mention!

Here is what Peter and John said when the courts of Jewish law told them to stop using the Name of Jesus.

Acts 5:27-29 "The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood." 29 Peter and the other apostles replied: 'We must obey God rather than men!'"

The Attempt To Shut Down His Name

It's not a coincidence that mentioning the name of Jesus continues to find itself in the battleground of our schools, military, libraries, and the marketplace.

It's alarming to discover the number of public workplaces and government agencies using the guise of being "politically correct" or "the separation of church and state" to deter believers from sharing their faith and His Name.

Say His Name Often

Realize that the Name of Jesus is far more than a tagline at the end of our prayers. His name changes the atmosphere and releases His world into this one.

Let's say and pray His Name often. Look for opportunities in the marketplace, schools, malls, and anywhere life takes us to share our faith and declare the name that is above every other name — Jesus!

Blessings - P. Greg