By the Name of Jesus

Acts 4:10

Let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead--by Him this man is standing before you well.

 

After the healing of the lame man and the constant preaching of the resurrection of Jesus, the religious powers were greatly annoyed. In fact so annoyed that they arrested Peter and John. The next day, they were questioned by all who were in the high-priestly family wanting to know the power that allowed them to do such a miracle. Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said, Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead--by Him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. His response was amazing! Not only did he say that Jesus was the power behind the healing, but he also put in focus the crucifixion, the cornerstone, and the fact that salvation is only in Jesus. I wonder if the high-priestly family was sorry they asked that question. No doubt, they could see their powers slipping away especially in the face of the boldness of Peter and John who were just common, uneducated men. Even theses corrupt priests could see that Peter and John had been with Jesus.

 

The priests conferred about what they could do to stop the spread of this Jesus faith. The best they could come up with was to command them not to speak or teach of Jesus anymore.  Peter and John simply responded with, Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen  to you you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.  Slap in the face to these men who thought they had the power! They threatened further and finally had to let them go because of the people who were praising God for what had happened.

 

Peter and John went and met their friends telling them the whole story. Praying, they asked God to look upon the threats and give them the boldness to continue speaking. And when they had prayed the place was shaken for they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak with boldness the Word of God. Wow! What power and direction!

 

I know that the high-priestly family must have been so undone. I am sure that they thought when they had Jesus crucified it would all be over. But to their amazement, the movement was even stronger and more zealous than before. The name of Jesus was the  spark that had now burst into flame! Is it the same today? Does His name have the same significance? It should!

 

Father,

Keep me bold and unafraid to speak Your name and to speak in the power of His name.

Give me the words to say.

In Jesus name,

Amen