I’ve been reading through Acts. It is a book that records accounts of the early church—the miracles, the arrests, the conversions, the healings. These events attracted the attention of lots of people, including jealous Jewish officials who tried to squelch this movement by jailing the apostles. When the apostles were brought in for questioning, the Jewish Council warned them that they were not to speak in the name of Jesus and even talked of having the apostles put to death. (Acts 4:18 and 5:40)
The book of Acts really emphasizes the great power associated with the name of Jesus. It is a name that brings fear to some and joy to others. The very fact that the apostles were beaten and whipped for speaking in the name of Jesus shows that those who feared the name of Jesus knew it was powerful, and those who trusted the name of Jesus were willing to endure persecution for it.
Believers have been given an amazing gift—the privilege of praying in Jesus’ name, releasing His power. However, let me offer a word of caution: I do not feel that the apostles were using the name of Jesus like a talisman or magic word, such as “Abracadabra”, and neither should we. It’s not about just saying a name. It is about the person that the name reminds us of—Jesus—and the relationship that we can have with God through Jesus. Praying “in the name of Jesus” means recognizing, inviting, submitting to, and glorifying Jesus’ presence and the power He wields.
Are we trusting in Jesus’ name? Are we calling on Him to be present in every circumstance, recognizing how powerful He is? Jesus is our weapon against evil, He died and rose again to give us access to the Father, and He brings power to every situation we find ourselves in.
Be encouraged!
