Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people, and elders of Israel: If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, let it be known to you all, 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 stands here before you whole… Now, LORD, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus Christ.” Acts 4: 29, 30, NKJV.
Heavenly Father, I give You praise and thanks for the opportunity to sit and be inspired by all that has been, can be, and will be, wrought, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ! In His name we pray. Amen.
There is no name like the name of Jesus! Even though in Biblical times, and even in our day, parents give their children the name Jesus, there is only One, who bears not only the name, but the title, Jesus (Savior)! In our text for today, the apostle Peter in one of his powerful sermons exalts the name of Jesus! Mention is made six times; directly, or indirectly, to the name of Jesus, as he preaches before the “rulers, elders, and scribes,” along with those of the household of the high priest, Annas (5, 6).
The problem started because Peter and John were preaching, that in Jesus, there is resurrection from the dead. Their preaching was so powerful, the record tells us, that “about five thousand people” who heard the word “believed” (2, 4). I am most encouraged that even in our day, the name of Jesus, has not lost its power! Hallelujah! When the Word of God is preached, accompanied by the power of the Holy Spirit, people are still believing, and coming, to Jesus Christ, as their Savior! There is power, in the name of Jesus!
However, on this occasion, the people were willing to listen to the apostles, because they had witnessed the power in the mighty name of Jesus! In chapter three, the man who sat at the Gate called Beautiful, had been healed. This was not a small child: but a grown man; more than forty years old (22) who was crippled from birth! He could not work, so either his parents, or friends, would take him to the entrance of the temple, where he would beg for alms.
But there came a day in the life of this poor helpless man, when he would have his personal encounter with the mighty name of Jesus! As a faithful follower of Christ, Peter and John shared what they had with this man – they shared the Pearl of Great Price, Jesus, the Christ! They did not have corruptible things such as silver or gold; what they had was priceless, and eternal! And they gladly shared Him. The record says of those who accused Peter and John; that they were left without an argument!
“When they saw the man who had been cured standing beside them [a living testimony], they had nothing to say in opposition… They said, ‘What will we do with them for it is obvious to all who live in Jerusalem that a notable sign has been done through them; we cannot deny it. But to keep it from spreading further among the people let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name’ ” (14-17, NRSV, Emphasis provided).
Oh my friends, it was in the name of Jesus, that that man was made to walk (3: 6)! It was in the name of Jesus that Peter and John’s accusers’ mouths had been stopped! And it is the name of Jesus that anyone that is saved, will be saved (4: 12)! Have you met Jesus? Have you called upon His name? If you call upon Him in faith, your life will never be the same again! If today you called upon Him as Your Savior and Lord, we would love to hear from you, to be able to assist you in your spiritual growth. God bless you!