Scripture:
Acts 4:8-12:
8: Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
9: If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
10: 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.
11: This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12: Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Theme:
It’s all in the Name
Introduction:
- The Acts of the Apostles was written by Dr. Luke, the same writer of the Gospel of St. Luke, who was understood to be a physician from Troas.
- Luke used the book of Acts to capture the actions and travels of the Apostles of Jesus, the Christ, with extensive attention upon Paul. Luke began to travel with Paul from Troas after the occasion of Luke’s conversion to Christianity. From this point Luke was present either as a traveling companion or an observer for much of Paul’s remaining travels from that point.
- The beginning of the Acts of the Apostles
- Jesus’ ascension and the promise of the Comforter
- The Upper Room
- “Prayer meeting” — Acts 1:14, “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication”
- “Member’s meeting” — Acts 1:26, “And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.”
- The Day of Pentecost 1st Century AD (CE) – The Holy Ghost — Acts 2:4, “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
- Peter’s first sermon
- He was thoroughly recovered from his fall, and thoroughly restored to the Divine favor; for he, who had denied Christ, now boldly confessed him.
- The inception of the 1st Century church – Acts 2:47, “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
- The healing of the Man at the Beautiful Gate — Acts 3:6, “Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”
- In this 4th chapter of Acts we find Peter speaking in his own defense.
- Imprisoned for a day for the preaching and teaching, through Jesus, the resurrection from the dead.
- On the next day, Peter and John were placed in the presence of the Sanhedrin and asked the question…. In Acts 4:7, “And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?”
- This brings us to our scripture which answers this question:
“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them… by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth…there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Body:
What IS a name?
- Webster’s approach
- a word or phrase that constitutes the distinctive designation of a person or thing – proper name
- a descriptive — nickname
- appearance as opposed to reality – label only<a friend in name only>
- one referred to by a name <praise his holy name>
What is IN a name?
- Existence – label
- Without a name the person basically does not exist.
- Lineage or history – Family
- The name, usually the last, but also the first at times, marks or designates the family that they come from.
- Reputation – through Association
- One’s name is associated with a subjective impression of them.
- Power – Religious traditions across the world
- Speak the name of an entity or person to take their power as your own.
- Their name wields their power.
What is HIS name?
- English and Dutch – God
- Danish — Gud
- German – Gott
- Descriptives are employed most often:
- From the Hebrew El, a word meaning to be strong, come Eloah, the plural, and Elohim, the singular form. Eloah is used only in poetry. The plural form, Elohim, is more commonly used in all parts of the Bible.
- The Hebrew word Jehovah is the only other word generally employed to denote the Supreme Being.
- Jehovah is uniformly rendered in the Authorized Version by “LORD,” printed in small capitals.
Conclusion:
What is IN HIS name?
- Webster says:
- “in the name of “ = by authority of <open in the name of the law>
- God’s name is made real to us through His Son, Jesus Christ, by whom we have “the power to become the sons of God” (John 1:12) To do so we must:
- Admit – I am a sinner
- Submit – I submit all my sinful self to God
- Commit – I commit my life to His Will for me
- Transmit – Tell someone else of what God has done for me
- Three primary components of the scripture unite the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)
- Source – “Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost,”
- Must be filled with the Holy Ghost to call upon the power of His name
- Matthew 10:1, “And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.”
- John 14:26, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
- Name – “by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,”
- Acts 4:10, “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.”
- We beseech the name of Jesus
- for His EXISTENCE – “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever”
- for His LINEAGE – If His family included a whore (Rahab), king (David), and a virgin (Mary), then I know that He can accept me.
- for His REPUTATION – He is King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Wonderful Counselor, and Prince of Peace
- for His POWER — Philippians 2:10, “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;”
- Exclusivity – “there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
- No other name on earth given among men can save us!
- John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
- Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” We have victory over sin!
- Only the name of Jesus Christ can save us…keep us….sustain us….make us….GIVE US VICTORY.
- It is the only key to POWER from on High! –
- Acts 3:6, “Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”
The Gospel song proclaims it best:
In the name of Jesus, In the name of Jesus, we have the victory.
In the name of Jesus, In the name of Jesus, Satan will have to flee.
Tell me who can stand before us when we call on that great name.
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus, We have the victory!!
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