My good friend and brother in the faith, Chaplain Dan McKenney of Corporate Chaplains of America wrote this wonderful devotion of the power that is found in the name of Jesus.
It is quite apparent that the apostle Paul's zeal had not been tempered by God, but it was clearly directed the right way. Paul was as zealous for God as a Christian, as he was persecuting Christians before he became one himself (Acts 26:9; Philippians 3:6). This is the neat thing about the way God works in our life. We do not become robot Christians, because God takes our unique personality traits and shapes us and molds us into what He wants us to be.
Everything that Paul did now was centered in this great name of Jesus (Col 3:17; cp Acts 26:9). I think it is important to talk about it, because calling out to some generic God means nothing. God has instructed the Christian church to pray "in Jesus name" to "heal in Jesus name" and to "preach in Jesus name." Anything that is not done through the name of Christ does not have God's endorsement. It is not that there is some sort of magic in saying the words, "in Jesus name" at the conclusion of our prayers, it's just that this name signifies God's power and God's authority. God commited all power and authority to the Son (Matthew 28:18) as Jesus himself so testified.
When we do things in the name of another person, or entity it carries with it the authority of that person or entity. A police officer can command a person to stop in the name of the law, and there will be servere consequences for the person that does not do so. As a private citizen nobody is obligated to stop in my name. My name has no power or authority in that context whatsoever. Occasionally I get a note in the mail that tells me that someone donated a gift in my name. That means I get the credit and thanks from that organization as if I made the personal sacrifice myself. If I put property in someone else's name, then I no longer have any claim to it.
All through the book of Acts we see the following things done in Jesus name.
1. Asking for salvation is to be done in Jesus name (Acts 2:21; 4:12; 10:43; 22:16).
2. After repenting of our sins, we are to be baptized in Jesus name (Acts 2:38; 8:12,16; 10:48; 19:5).
3. People were healed in Jesus name (Acts 3:6,16; 4:7,10,30).
4. Believer's were persecuted and told by the government not to preach or teach in Jesus name (Acts 4:17-18; 5:28,40; 21:13).
Even today, much preaching and praying is tolerated just so long as Jesus name is not mentioned. It seems that Jesus name is the real sticking point with many people!
5. The early followers of Christ considered it an honor to suffer living out their lives in Jesus name (Acts 5:41; 7:58; 15:26).
6. One common way for the enemies of the gospel to discover the followers of Christ was that they were known as those who called upon the name of Jesus (Acts 9:14,21).
7. Paul was specifically called to bear Christ's name before those whom God sent him (Acts 9:15-16,29).
8. Simeon declared that this is the age where God was calling people unto the name of Christ (Acts 15:14-17).
9. Paul cast out evil spirits in the name of The Lord Jesus (Acts 16:18; 19:13).
Since the name of Jesus was important at that time I believe if the church is to experience any degree of power and influence for the eternal good of mankind we must continue to exalt this NAME WHICH IS ABOVE EVERY NAME! We must do so with no less zeal that the early church did.
It is quite apparent that the apostle Paul's zeal had not been tempered by God, but it was clearly directed the right way. Paul was as zealous for God as a Christian, as he was persecuting Christians before he became one himself (Acts 26:9; Philippians 3:6). This is the neat thing about the way God works in our life. We do not become robot Christians, because God takes our unique personality traits and shapes us and molds us into what He wants us to be.
Everything that Paul did now was centered in this great name of Jesus (Col 3:17; cp Acts 26:9). I think it is important to talk about it, because calling out to some generic God means nothing. God has instructed the Christian church to pray "in Jesus name" to "heal in Jesus name" and to "preach in Jesus name." Anything that is not done through the name of Christ does not have God's endorsement. It is not that there is some sort of magic in saying the words, "in Jesus name" at the conclusion of our prayers, it's just that this name signifies God's power and God's authority. God commited all power and authority to the Son (Matthew 28:18) as Jesus himself so testified.
When we do things in the name of another person, or entity it carries with it the authority of that person or entity. A police officer can command a person to stop in the name of the law, and there will be servere consequences for the person that does not do so. As a private citizen nobody is obligated to stop in my name. My name has no power or authority in that context whatsoever. Occasionally I get a note in the mail that tells me that someone donated a gift in my name. That means I get the credit and thanks from that organization as if I made the personal sacrifice myself. If I put property in someone else's name, then I no longer have any claim to it.
All through the book of Acts we see the following things done in Jesus name.
1. Asking for salvation is to be done in Jesus name (Acts 2:21; 4:12; 10:43; 22:16).
2. After repenting of our sins, we are to be baptized in Jesus name (Acts 2:38; 8:12,16; 10:48; 19:5).
3. People were healed in Jesus name (Acts 3:6,16; 4:7,10,30).
4. Believer's were persecuted and told by the government not to preach or teach in Jesus name (Acts 4:17-18; 5:28,40; 21:13).
Even today, much preaching and praying is tolerated just so long as Jesus name is not mentioned. It seems that Jesus name is the real sticking point with many people!
5. The early followers of Christ considered it an honor to suffer living out their lives in Jesus name (Acts 5:41; 7:58; 15:26).
6. One common way for the enemies of the gospel to discover the followers of Christ was that they were known as those who called upon the name of Jesus (Acts 9:14,21).
7. Paul was specifically called to bear Christ's name before those whom God sent him (Acts 9:15-16,29).
8. Simeon declared that this is the age where God was calling people unto the name of Christ (Acts 15:14-17).
9. Paul cast out evil spirits in the name of The Lord Jesus (Acts 16:18; 19:13).
Since the name of Jesus was important at that time I believe if the church is to experience any degree of power and influence for the eternal good of mankind we must continue to exalt this NAME WHICH IS ABOVE EVERY NAME! We must do so with no less zeal that the early church did.
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