THE POWER OF THE NAME OF JESUS

EMPOWERMENT Series (2) on the Book of Acts

(Acts 3:1 – 4:31)
A Message by Rev Dr Vincent Leoh on 13 April 2008
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The emphasis in Acts 3 and 4 is on the name of the Lord Jesus (Acts 3:6, 16; 4:7, 10, 12, 17-18, 30)

75 times in the Gospels and Acts we find phrases like: the name of Jesus, the name of the Lord, His name, etc. Jesus’ name is one of power and hope.
   1 Jn. 3:16 – “The Love of Jesus”
   Luke 3:16 – “The Power of Jesus”
   Acts 3:16 – “The Name of Jesus”

I.  NAME ABOVE EVERY NAME

A name implies much more than identification; it carries with it authority, reputation, and power.   The name of the Lord Jesus has all authority behind it, for He is the Son of God (Matt 28:18).

Mat. 1:21 “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins”.

1. Jesus Name tells of what he does
2. Jesus Name tells of his power
3. Jesus Name tells of who he is
4. Jesus Name tells of why he came

Isaiah 9:6; “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

Jesus has a name above all names

Phil. 2:9-11
Therefore God has highly exalted Him, and has given Him a name which is above every that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of heavenly ones, and of earthly ones, and of ones under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

There are 256 names given in the Bible for the Lord Jesus Christ. He was infinitely beyond all that any one name could express.

He is the author and finisher of our faith (Heb 12:2)
He is the bridegroom. (Mat 9:15)
He is the bright and morning star. (Rev  22:16)
He is our deliverer. (Romans 11:26)
He is Emmanuel, which is God with us. (Isa 7:14)
He was God manifest in the flesh. (1 Tim 3:16)
He was and still is a friend of sinners. (Mat 11:19)
He is our hope. ( Mat. 12:21; Tim 1:1)
Jesus is the way, truth, and the life. (John 14:6)
He is the Light of the world. (John 8:12)
He is Lord of Lords. (Rev 17:14; 19:16 )
He is Lord of all. (Acts10: 36)
He is our Lord and Saviour. (2 Peter 1:11; 3:18)
He is Lord over all. (Romans 10:12)
He is the only wise God, our Saviour. (Jude 1:25)
He is the great physician. (Matthew 9:12)
He is the good shepherd. (John 10:11)
He is the true and eternal life. (John 10:11)
He is eternal. (Isaiah 9:6, John 1:1, Heb 1:8-10.)
He is Omnipotent. (Phil 3:21, & Rev 1:8)
He is unchangeable. (Hebrews 1:12)
He made all things. (John 1:10).

II.  “IN JESUS’ NAME!” - What you can do in His Name

In the Bible, names often reflect a person’s character. So to do something in Jesus’ name means to do it in a way consistent with his character – to do it in the way Jesus himself would.

To do something in Jesus’ name means that you do it in the faith of what that name stands for.

1. We can gather together in His Name (Mat. 18:20)

2.  We can give someone a cup of cold water in His name (Mark 9:41).

3. We can receive a child in His name (Matt 18:5).

4. We can ask in His name as we pray (John 14:13-14; 15:16; 16:23-26). Jesus said, “Whatsoever you ask in my name, I will do it”

5. We can preach the “remission of sins” in His name (Luke 24:47) so that people might believe and have “life through His name”  (John 20:31).

6.  We can speak in His name  (Acts 4:18-20).
III.  “NO OTHER NAME!” - EXPERIENCING THE POWER OF HIS NAME

SALVATION IN HIS NAME
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
(Acts 4:12; 2:21)

HEALING IN HIS NAME  
“In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” (Acts 3:6)
“… let it be known to all of you…that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead.” (Acts 4:10 NAB)

DELIVERANCE IN HIS NAME
Act 16:18 “And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.”
Acts 19:13b “In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” 
Luke 10:17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”

IV.  LIVING BY THE POWER OF HIS NAME

Keys to Release the Power of His Name:

“And His name, THROUGH FAITH in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all”  (Acts 3:16)

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled, and they realized that they had BEEN WITH JESUS.”  (Acts 4:13)

“‘Grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.’ WHEN THEY HAD PRAYED, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:29-31.

“Whoever clings to me I will deliver;  WHOEVER KNOWS MY NAME I will set on high. All who call upon me I will answer; I will be with them in distress; I will deliver them and give them honor. With length of days, I will satisfy them and show them my saving power.” (Psalm 91:14-16)