Power in His Name

This morning it was 25 below zero with the wind in our little part of Northwest Idaho. Overnight, our hot water pipe froze. When the repairman came, he was doubtful if he could help. I told him I’d be praying that whatever he did would work. He was out in the garage heating up the pipe and I was inside with the faucet open. I prayed aloud for the hot water to come out of the tap. Just as I said, “in the name of Jesus Christ,” the hot water started to flow. I love how we have such authority in the name of Jesus Christ.

There are five records in the Book of Acts where “the name of Jesus Christ” is mentioned. They all show the power and authority that Christians can claim in that name above all names.

Acts 2:38:
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Peter taught the people in the temple on Pentecost [almost 2,000 years ago] that Jesus is Lord and that God raised him from the dead [Acts 2:32,36]. They were saved when they repented and were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. That agrees with what Jesus told his disciples just before his ascension. The ancient texts show that Matthew 28:19 should read: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in my name” [not the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost].

Acts 3:6:
Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

This lame man was healed, not by money and man-made healing devices, but through the eternal power and magnificent name of Jesus Christ! This happened right outside the temple where Peter had taught people to be born again. We have eternal salvation and physical healing in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Acts 3:12; 4:10:
And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?
Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

Peter made it clear to everyone around that it wasn’t any of his ability that brought this man’s deliverance. When confronted by the jealous religious leaders about this healing, he told them what the true power was. It was through the name of Jesus Christ that Peter boldly claimed that this man was able to stand before them, completely whole in body, soul, and spirit!

Acts 8:12:
But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

What a great truth. When Peter came to Samaria and found the people bewitched [the Greek word refers to drugs that confuse and lead people to idolatry] by Simon the sorcerer, he preached Jesus Christ. They believed on the Lord Jesus and God’s overall reign. The things concerning God’s kingdom come to their apex in Romans 10:9 and 10. We confess Jesus as Lord and believe God raised him from the dead. Then we are saved.

Acts 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 [immediately].

Paul, Silas, Luke and others were followed by a girl possessed by an evil spirit that made her, what we call today, a psychic or medium. She spoke her psychic predictions to annoy these men of God and stop the spiritual good they were doing there. When the time was right, Paul commanded the evil spirit to leave in the powerful authority of Jesus Christ. It left and the girl was healed. We can bring healing and deliverance to all spiritually oppressed in our time and in our cities when we claim the power we have in the name of Jesus Christ!

I Corinthians 1:2,3:
Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul wrote this letter to the believers in Corinth who were set apart spiritually by “Christ in” them, the gift of holy spirit. They were “saints,” holy ones because they made Jesus their Lord and believed that God raised him from the dead. Then they did their best to walk by the spirit they received. We can be “saints” today as we call on the powerful and effective name of Jesus Christ. That brings grace and peace from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Whether it’s claiming help for frozen pipes, physical healing, or spiritual oppression—the name of Jesus Christ is the answer!