The Acts of the Apostles

Acts 3 - 4: The Name of Jesus

Theme: The Name of Jesus has transforming power
Aim: Spend more time with Jesus and give him the credit for your service

Read from the "Book of Heroic Failures" p56 about the inept bank robbers.

These hapless robbers no doubt heard those famous words "I arrest you in the name of the law!" Why in the "name of the law"? Because the policeman's authority does not derive from his own character or power, but because he is speaking and acting on behalf of a higher authority.

In our passage today we see the fledgling church acting and speaking in the name of Jesus - and we see what an effect that has as they speak on behalf of the highest authority in the universe.

A life transformed by the Name of Jesus (3:1-10)

When did you last walk past a beggar lying in the street? Are you sure that was the last time? They are like invisible people, it is so easy to just walk on past. When did you last stop and talk to one? I don't mean quickly give them some money and move on… salving conscience. Ah, but there is so little we can do, isn't there?

Point: His life was transformed through faith in the name of Jesus, meeting his underlying need

Hopeless… He had been crippled since birth; he was looking for a solution to his immediate problem, which was enough money to see him through that day. He was enabled to respond in faith as Peter spoke the word, … As we speak the word of God to people - for salvation or whatever, they are enabled to respond.

His underlying problem was solved, and life transformed

As a computer programmer I know that the symptoms which present themselves to me can only be dealt with by tackling the underlying problem. Temporary fixes don't really help in the long term.

He Excitedly praised God, and everyone could see the difference. The people who knew him (and knew him well) could testify to a transformation in his life.

Application:

A government disturbed by the Name of Jesus (4v1-7, 4v13-18)

Many governments and institutions around the world are hostile to Christianity, wanting to shut Christians up and hide the message of Jesus. In India and Pakistan extremists are killing Christians with effectively no action being taken by the authorities. What about in this country? Well, how much reporting do you think we see of Christian things in this country? A search of the BBC news archives for Jesus found 7 publicity stunts, 3 Spanish people, 4 about Bethlehem and one about a Christian.

What was their problem?

The Resurrection - The Sadducees held that there was no such thing as a resurrection It was ridiculous, irrational! There was nothing beyond this life and all that we could have exists here and now. Worse, these men were saying that it had actually happened! How primitive, how unscientific... how up to date!

Could not deny the transformation, but wanted to stop further spread! Isn't it strange how they could see that things were happening, but were so caught up in their own world view that they didn't consider the implications of what they were seeing!

Application:

Gods' salvation only by the Name of Jesus (3v13-26, 4v9-12)

We have Peters preaching recorded for us on two occasions here. What does Peter say? You thought he was dead and gone, but God has raised him from the dead and glorified him (3:13)

Salvation in no one else. Jesus is the Messiah, the only source of salvation, the only name which can save. His name embodies all that he is. (Jn 14:12-14)

Psalm 118 is quoted. This psalm is the last of the "Passover" psalms. It is full of temple imagery, the name of YHWH and the right hand of YHWH, the stone which has been rejected by the religious leaders turns out to be the foundation. Jesus has previously quoted this very verse at the leaders and angered them with it (Luke 20:17). Jesus would "build a new temple in 3 days" - He is the foundation for the new worship of God.

How great a salvation? We look at the 1 man that was healed, and miss the fact that over 2000 people were added to the church, as a result of the preaching of the name of Jesus!

Application:

Christians empowered by the Name of Jesus (4v8, 13, 19-20)

Explanation:

We see the whole Trinity involved here in the Christian Testimony - Peter speaking by the Spirit about Gods power working through Jesus.

It is not us, but God! (3:12-13). They neither had magic power or extraordinary piety.

Filled with the Holy Spirit (4:8,31). Jesus had told them that the HS would be with them to teach them what to speak when before the authorities. Being filled with the Spirit isn't an optional extra for super Christians, but should be the normal aim of all Christians (Eph 5:18)

Was the Spirit directly inspiring them with words they had never heard? I don't think so. Although they were not theologians, they had been well taught by Jesus (Luke 24:44-45). And they could not help speaking about their experience of Jesus.

They were "Unschooled, ordinary men", but they had been with Jesus (4:13) They were not rabbi's, they had no position, they were simple fishermen - yet they were courageous, spoke out clearly and with irrefutable arguments. The priests had never won an argument with Jesus, now they couldn't win one with his disciples!

When the other Christians heard about this, they prayed v24-31. What did they pray for? That God would protect them from the opposition? No. That God would make other people ready to respond to the gospel? No. They asked for boldness to speak Gods word, and for God to perform miracles - all in the name of Jesus.

Application:

Conclusion



Alex White

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