“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” – Acts 4:12
We often hear about the wonderful, powerful, and miracle-producing Name of Jesus. We all pray in His Name, and mention His Name when we end our prayers. But what makes the Name of Jesus different?
For most of us, a Name is a word we use to call someone to respond. A name is also a term that distinguishes a character. A name must set apart a person from others. It is also a term and a symbol of authority. All authority is delegated. A person’s name is defined by the character they have developed and the authority behind their name. People may have similar names, but their characters and roles can be different. So when a person talks about a specific “John,” one might know another “John,” but he will have different characteristics and authority from the other. Names are not equal in character and authority. When we say Jesus and go to Israel, several people go by the same name. Jesus is also the English translation of the name Yeshua, which means “salvation.” Jesus Christ is the Savior of God’s people.
During His time, Jesus was not called Jesus the way we say it. Rather, He was called “Joshua” or “Yeshua.” But a person’s name is not in the pronunciation. Anybody can call your name wrongly, but it’s still you if they’re talking about you. We can say that your name defines your character and the authority —the person who’s calling you —behind it.
There’s Something About the Name of Jesus
Why do we use the Name of Jesus? Why do we pray in the Name of Jesus? The Bible teaches us something exciting that we must understand. The Bible called Him Jesus of Nazareth. People in Jesus’ day could have been Jesus of Bethany because Joshua, Ishua, and Yeshua are common names. There could have been different Jesuses in different cities, just like many Johns and Karens in the world. The Bible is very clear that they distinguished the Son of God by calling Him Jesus of Nazareth. Matthew 21:10-11 says:
“And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, ‘Who is this?’
11 So the multitudes said, ‘This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.’”
It also says in Mark 1:9:
“It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan.”
Furthermore, in Luke 4:16:
“So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.”
In Mark 1:23-24, the man with an unclean spirit cried out and called Him Jesus of Nazareth. The people around Him also called Him in the same way. In Matthew 26:71, the people recognized that Peter was with Jesus of Nazareth. Even in Mark 16, the angel called Him by that name. It is appropriate for us to pray and use the name Jesus Christ of Nazareth. If the angels, demons, multitudes, and authorities recognize our Lord Jesus by this name, we must go in-depth to know its power.
In Acts 3, Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer. A lame man who was asking for alms caught their attention. In verse 6, Peter says:
“Then Peter said, ‘Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.’”
The Name Jesus Christ of Nazareth holds so much power and authority. Peter did not give the man money, he didn’t even pray for him. Yet, he gave him something —a Name above all other names. Peter was making a demand on the ability of God to function in this man’s body. In the story, Peter took the lame man by his right hand and lifted him up. God showed His miraculous power through Peter. The man responded to Peter when he pulled him up. The man’s response was significant. The power that healed the man came from His faith in Jesus Christ of Nazareth. It says in Acts 3:16:
“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.”
What healed the man? Where did the power come from? Through His Name and faith in His Name. He was totally healed because of His faith in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
In Acts 4, Peter and John were arrested. In verse 7, the authorities questioned them: “By what power or by what name have you done this?”
Look at Peter’s reply in verses 8-12:
“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, ‘Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10 let it be known to you all, 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 stands here before you whole. 11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.’”
Peter declared that the miracle happened by the Name of Jesus of Nazareth. The man was healed by faith through the Name.
A Revelation on the Character and Authority of our Lord Jesus
What does it mean for us today when we say, “In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth” or “Jesus Christ our Lord”?
Jesus Christ went through a process to gain this authority. As a church, we sing, pray, and worship in the Name of Jesus, but we never really know what His Name represents.
When we are born, our parents give us a legal name. This is the name that most likely appears in legal documents. As we grow up, we are given nicknames. But as we grow older, we gain titles such as pastor, doctor, professor, senator, attorney, prophet, apostle, etc. With these titles come a special kind of authority. For example, when someone calls a person “pastor,” they respect that person’s authority to lead a church. When someone calls a person “doctor,” they recognize their capacity to diagnose and treat a person’s health. The same goes for other titles. But when they call them by just their nicknames or legal names, it does not give the person authority to carry out specific duties.
In the case of Jesus, the more authority He’s given, the more power He has behind His Name. True authority is not something you do. It is delegated to you. Over the years, more authority has been vested in Jesus Christ of Nazareth. With this Name, God didn’t take away the Name and did something special to it. He has always been answering to the Name, but he was given authority on different levels at different times. His Name, His character continues to rise in power and authority.
Before He was crucified, Jesus did not minister as the Son of God. He always ministered as the Son of Man, even though He was the Son of God. He functioned as a man to the point of death. He went to hell as a man. He was buried as a man. And when He was raised from the dead, He was a man. So when He walked the streets of Israel, He was the Seed of Abraham. He is the One given the authority over Israel. He became the representative of Israel. When He was baptized by John, the Baptist confirmed that He was the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).”
In Mark 16:15, something changed because of Jesus’ resurrection. The verse says,
“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.’”
Matthew 28:18 explains this:
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.’”
Jesus gained this authority and inheritance through His death. Jesus had to die so that God the Father could give His inheritance (Hebrews 1:1-4). Jesus Christ is the inheritor of all things. Jesus’ authority increased in power when He died as a man. Our Lord Jesus was made sin for us. He is our representative, the scapegoat. With this, He had to go to hell. God the Father and the Holy Spirit were not with Him in hell. The Son, Jesus Christ, was not a sinner, but He took the place of sinners. The demon spirits of death and hell thought they had succeeded. But Jesus, the Son of God, defeated death and the fear that came with that bondage (Hebrews 2:14-18). The victory came with His Resurrection. He conquered hell and the power of the grave. This is why He says in John 8:51:
“Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.”
As we reflect on the authority and inheritance given to Jesus Christ of Nazareth, let us remember Philippians 2:5-11:
The Humbled and Exalted Christ
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Because our Lord Jesus humbled Himself to the point of death on the cross, He now has a Name that is above everything. There is no other name that has the same power. No sickness, disease, sin, or shame can come close to the power of the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. His humility and obedience to the cross gave Him all power and authority in Heaven and on Earth. Because we are in Him, we will receive an inheritance and blessing through His Name.
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