“So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus” (Acts 4:18 ESV).
Peter and John healed a crippled man in the name of Jesus and began to preach in the Temple. A great crowd gathered to see the cripple now walking and to hear the preaching of Peter and John. The captain of the Temple arrested them for preaching in the name of Jesus and held them overnight.
After spending the night in custody, Peter and John were brought before the Jewish Council. The council asked them by what name and authority they had been preaching in the Temple. Peter’s answer was clear. He told them it was by the name of Jesus, whom they had crucified, but God had raised. He explained that Jesus was the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies in the Scriptures. And he further declared that salvation is found in no other name, but Jesus!
The council knew they could not deny the miracle, so they threatened the men and told them that they were no longer to speak nor teach in the name of Jesus. However, as we know, the disciples continued bearing witness of Jesus just as He had commissioned them.
Have you noticed that people’s response to the name of Jesus is similar today? Some are healed and saved when they hear His name, while others are offended and wish to silence us from saying His name. What is this strong response to the name of Jesus?
Perhaps it is because as Peter said, “There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). For the name of Jesus offends our sinful hearts and causes the demons to tremble. His name means, the “LORD saves.” His name calls us to repent of our sins and confess Him as Savior and Lord. But it also causes some to harden their hearts and hide in the darkness all the more. His name leaves no room for fence-sitting. One must decide whether to believe or to deny. Ignoring Jesus is no longer possible once His name is heard.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we love the name of Your Son, Jesus. For He is our Savior and Lord. O how sweet is the sound of His name to our ears. We love to say it aloud, so that others may know our Champion and the Lover of our souls. Strengthen us this day to speak and teach in His name. In the name of Jesus, amen.