In the Name of Jesus - Week 7 - Study Notes

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In the Name of Jesus

Acts 4:1-22

One of the most beautiful gifts my parents gave me is their name. "Waybright" – it always makes people ask just how bright I really am.

But, of course, the value of the gift my parents gave me was not so much the meaning or sound of the name as the reputation of the name. My folks were not famous people. They lived and worked in small West Virginia towns all their lives. But, as I was growing up in my home, when I met people who knew my father, I heard, 'Ah, we know your Dad. He's a person we can trust. We know he'll carry through on what he says." Or, "Oh, Waybright. I know your Mom. She's always bringing joy to everyone around her. I've never met anybody before so full of life!" And about both of them, "They sure take their faith in Jesus seriously. With them, it's clear that their faith is real."

I've always wanted to live up to that Waybright name. I don't want to do anything that will dishonor it. I want to pass it on with dignity to my children. Now, this may not be the way you think about your name. We are such individualists in our American society that we don't usually appreciate this point about what it means to share a name. But many of you who have heritages outside North America and Europe understand my point about the significance of a shared family name well – of family members representing one another. In much of our world, the upholding of the family name is one of the strongest motivations for ethical and moral living. Most people have not wanted to demean their family names.
And, this way of thought was certainly common throughout Bible times. An Israelite often had several names: at least, a public name and a personal name. The personal name was often selected by the parents to reflect the anticipated character of the person. For example, the name Jacob means "Grabber." When, in the book of Genesis, Jacob's mother saw him clutch at his brother's heel as he came out of her womb, her maternal instinct recognized this trait; he was a "Grabber." As you know, Jacob became a bit of a cheat. The point is, in the Bible names were significant. To know a person's name was to know something about that person. What's in a name? In the Bible, a great deal. A name had to do with one's identity – one's character – one's profession.
One of the main points about names in the Old Testament was that the people of Israel identified fully with the God who had rescued them from slavery. His name was Yahweh, the Maker of the universe, the one and only true God. Israel was his people, his flock, and the sheep of his pasture. They were named by his Name. But, the prophets had foreseen a day in which God himself would come into this world and would save his people. When he came, the prophets said, the house of God would become a house of prayer for all nations and peoples. When God came to the world, he would open the gate for all people to enter into God's family and bear his name.
And all that brings us to Acts 4 when the central focus is the name of the one who came into this world to make Yahweh known, i.e., Jesus.

Names and Acts 4.
It's impossible to read carefully through Acts 4 without seeing how often the matter of the "name" comes up. Specifically, the name that changes everything is the name of Jesus.
Let's go quickly through the story so you can see how Jesus' name is used:
3:12, 15b-16 – When God used Peter and John to heal a lame man; the people who witnessed the healing were in awe of them. But Peter and John said, "Why do you look at us as we have the power and godliness to do this. It is Jesus' name – and faith in his name – that has made the man strong! It is through the name of Jesus that this man has regained perfect health in your sight!"
4:5-7 – The authorities called for a meeting with Peter and John after the man had been healed and asked them, "By what name did you do this healing?"
4:10 – Peter's answer is clear and direct: 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.
4:12 – Peter declares that the entire salvation work of God comes only through the name of Jesus: Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. I know that people living in a multi-faith, relativistic society find this kind of exclusive claim very hard to stomach. Many people seem value a bland kind of toleration of anything anyone wants to believe rather than the pursuit of what might actually be true. Still, I tell you that all attempts to make this verse say something different from what it says – and not to be so exclusive as to say that only faith in the Jesus of history -- have, in my view, failed. Again and again in Acts 3-4, the name referred to is specifically and undeniably Jesus of Nazareth. The Jesus who lived, died and now still lives is the only name that saves.
4:17-18 – When the authorities met again and had to decide what to do with these two men, they said, "To stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name." So, they called Peter and John in and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. Of course, this is the oft-discussed time that Peter and John said they had to obey God's command rather than human dictates. (I will have to return matter to this issue at another time. Christians have always been good citizens within their nations. But, when the laws of a land directly contradict a command of God, we must obey God. The call of Jesus trumps any other allegiance.)

Putting this together: When we see how the name of Jesus is used in this report we learn a lot. As I pointed out last week, the name of Jesus is not some kind of magical incantation that gives us the power to control the universe. God does miracles but he does not dispense them when we demand them. In addition, as Annie Neufeld told me, the name of Jesus is not just a tag we add on to sign off at the end of a prayer. So what is it? In this story, I see some powerful truths being taught about the name of Jesus:

#1: The name of Jesus is the only source of our salvation –
The way the word "saved" used in Acts 4:12 is much bigger and more wonderful than the way we usually use it in churches. It refers to what Peter preached about in 3:21 in which he said that the time has come for God to keep his promise and restore all things to the way he created them to be. When God's saving work is done, your life and mine will be complete. We won't wrestle with temptations lameness, poverty, and addictions, anxiety and depression any more! And the world itself will be made right. Listen to how John wrote about it in Rev. 21:4-5: God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new."
The Bible is telling us that the only one who can accomplish this is Jesus. If you want to be a part of what God is doing, you need to turn from your own sinful ways and give your life to him. Jesus is ready and able both to forgive your past and to completely transform your future. You need to receive Jesus if you will be saved. Only Jesus lived the perfect life we should have lived (though none of us have) and was willing to die the death for our sins that we deserve. He is ready to take the punishment you are due and re-create you. No one else can do it. Salvation is in the name of Jesus! I declare to you, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved!" There is no other name that can save.

#2: The name of Jesus has healing power.
Everything that happened in Acts 3-4 came about because a man who had been lame for over 40 years was healed in the name of Jesus. This man had sat every day for 40 years at the same gate begging for alms. Everyone knew him. And then, they saw that same man walking and leaping like a deer. This healing had put the anti-Jesus authorities in a quandary because they couldn't deny that something miraculous had happened in Jesus' name. I pointed out last week that not all people were in Jerusalem were healed that day. Moreover, not all problems were removed in all people's lives – even Christians' lives – in the early church. In his sermon following the healing, Peter preached that this one healing was proof that God has power over all evils in this world, including lameness. He said this one healing was evidence that the restoration of all things has begun though it will not be finished until Jesus returns to complete his work (3:21).
But, having said that, we should still pray in the name of Jesus for healing. The root word for "heal" in v.9 and "save" in v.12 is the same word, i.e., sozo. Our complete physical healing is a part of what God promises to bring about when his work is complete. You and I will be spiritually, relationally, emotionally, and physically whole when God has finished his work in us. And, sometimes, he does a part of the work now. I tell you this because we pray for the sick here at LAC. James 5 is our guide. You can read that through and see how we are to pray for you when you are sick. We have seen God heal here too.
I proclaim to you today that there is still healing power in the name of Jesus. And here's what the Bible tells you to do in James 5:14: Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. Come to the prayer room after the service or contact one of us here at the church and we'll set up a time to do quite simply what the Lord has told us to do. I believe from the depths of my heart that we will sometimes see the same thing they saw in Acts 3-4, i.e., sick people experiencing the healing power of God in the name of Jesus.

#3: The name of Jesus is the center of the message we give witness to and proclaim.
Read through the many sermons in the book of Acts and you'll see they are all about Jesus. They call people to repent of sins, to believe in Jesus, and to be baptized in Jesus' name. The healing of the lame man pointed to the person and work of Jesus. As Paul declared in Col. 1:28, "We proclaim Christ." So that's what I am urging each of you to do. Proclaim the name of Jesus Christ to our world. Pray that God will give you opportunities to tell others about Jesus. You don't have to be a great speaker. Just tell people that Jesus is changing your life and giving you hope.
I think I understand the oft cited quote from St. Francis, "Preach the gospel always. If necessary, use words." Let me say two things about that quote: 1) I don't think he ever said that. 2) We must use words to tell people that the honor goes to Jesus. We must make famous the name of Jesus – with our words.
And I must warn you: What happened to Peter and John will sometimes happen to you. Many people opposed them. Scholars opposed them and called them "unschooled and common" (4:13). The government and authorities opposed them and said they had no right to be preaching. Peter and John were threatened and thrown into prison for their faith. Isn't it an irony: The same name that brings hope and salvation also brings persecution. So, don't be surprised when you speak of Jesus and then find you are in the midst of opposition. But, if Jesus is your Lord and savior, you will find joy even when you are face opposition for giving witness to him. You and I must be witnesses to the saving power and life-changing truth of the name of Jesus.
In application: I urge you once again to identify three names of people for whom you will be praying and to whom you intend to give witness. God will bring others across your path too. But think specifically of three people and begin looking for chances to use words to speak of the matchless name of Jesus. You will discover that, although some will oppose you, others will give their lives to Jesus.

#4: The name of Jesus gives you an identity that cannot be taken away.
When I read Acts 4, I see that when they met the risen Jesus, Peter and John came alive to who they were and whose they were. Why do I say that? Read back to the end of Luke's first book, the Gospel of Luke, and continue all the way through Acts 4. You will be struck by the fact the one day, these men were arguing about which of them would be the greatest in Jesus' regime and who would get the places of power. Earlier, their lives had all been "about them." But in Acts 3-4, their lives are no longer characterized by selfishness and pride. In fact, when everyone was standing in awe of them, Peter and John said firmly, "It's not about us – it's about the name of Jesus." Something had changed their sense of identity.
Even more than that, you have to wonder what happened when in Luke 24, these disciples were depressed and startled and frightened because Jesus had died and all seemed lost. Then, in Acts 4, the disciples deal so boldly with the authorities of their country who threaten them and imprison them. When Peter and John were told that they couldn't use the name of Jesus any more, they didn't even flinch. Jesus had told them to give witness so they were going to give witness!
What had happened was they had found a new identity that nothing in this world could take away. For them to live was Christ so even if they would have to die, it would be a gain -- because death was not the end of their existence. They knew that. Jesus had overcome death. As Paul put it in Galatians 2:20: I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. They had a new identity that was not vulnerable to any power in this world. They knew who they were. They were his.
So, who are you? I tell you: Make sure the answer to that question something that cannot be taken away. I contend that the only thing worthy of being fully identified with as the core of your being is the name of Jesus. Oh, you will have many secondary identities. For me, I'm a pastor, a husband, a father, a Californian... I could go on and on. Many of those secondary identities are wonderful. But, those things will not last forever. Age or death or human failure will rob me of them. Make Jesus the Lord of your life. Get an identity that cannot be lost and you can find deep fulfillment in any career and with any situation in life. So, Peter and John thought, "Put us in prison and we're still who we are. We belong to Jesus! We are his! That cannot be taken from us!"
But here is both the challenge and the privilege of this message: If you identify yourself as belonging to Jesus, you must make a commitment to live in a way that doesn't demean his name. To bear the name of Jesus means to live in ways that people see his values, his justice, and his love in and through you. This is a powerful lesson: The name of Jesus can be dishonored when we who bear his name don't live in a way consistent with God's Word and character.
I told you that one of greatest gifts my parents gave me was their name. And, Jesus has gives you the opportunity to be identified with His name. When you place your faith in Jesus Christ, you are brought into the family of God and you represent Him to the world. This is a wonderful gift – but it is also a weighty responsibility. Wherever you go, you carry the name of the one who is your Lord.
You can see why any professional or business person who claims to be a Jesus-follower and then operates dishonestly or treats people unkindly, dishonors the name of the Lord. But treat people with kindness and live with integrity and you will show the world what Jesus is like. The same is true of how you live within your school or family or neighborhood.
The name of Jesus Christ is at stake in the way his followers live our lives. To pray, "Your will be done" on Sunday and to do your own will on Monday to act as a Christian in church and as a pagan with your friends this is demeaning the name of the one who gave his life for your salvation.

When I was president of a school, I used to meet with the groups that went out representing us – our music teams, our athletes, our mission teams... I had a stock speech I gave them as they were leaving. I would say, "When you head out, you represent not only yourself but many others. You represent your family. People who have never met your parents will get an idea of who your family is by the way you conduct yourself. But, you also represent the name of your school. Potential students who have never been to our school will feel they know what the school is like by watching how you act. And since our school is named Trinity, the awe-inducing part is that you represent God himself. People who have no idea about God at all will decide whether God is real and what he is like by watching you. Your life and words give witness to him. So do not demean his name."
And, some of our students started developing a habit of opening the windows to the bus as they left and yelling, "President, we won't demean the name! We'll bring honor to the Name!"
And I say the same to you today. As those who have placed our faith in Jesus and made him our Lord, we bear His name. We are to tell the world who Jesus is – and show the world what he is like. So, when you leave this place, you carry Jesus' name with you. Carry it in a way that brings honor and glory – to his name.

To His glory,

Dr. Greg Waybright
Senior Pastor