By Flattery, George M. IntroductionSometime after the Day of Pentecost, Peter and John went up to the temple at the hour of prayer. There they met a man who had been lame from his mother's womb. The man was there to beg alms, but instead of giving him silver and gold, Peter said (Acts 3:6) to him: "In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene-walk!" Peter acted in the name of Jesus. The name of Jesus represents His authority and power. Immediately the man's feet and ankles received strength. The people were filled with wonder and utter amazement. Soon, a crowd gathered at the portico of Solomon. Seizing the opportunity, Peter preached about the death and resurrection of Christ. This stirred up the rulers and elders. For a full explanation of this text, click here. One, when mighty deeds occur, people want to know the source of power. As Peter and John were speaking, the priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees arrested them. Because it was evening, they put Peter and John in jail until the next day. On the next day, the rulers and elders and scribes met with the apostles. Annas, the high priest, and Caiaphas were among those who were present. The rulers and elders were upset (Acts 4:2) because the apostles were "proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead." The occasion of the preaching was the healing of the lame man. So, the rulers and elders inquired (Acts 4:7), "By what power, or in what name, have you done this?" Mighty deeds nearly always cause people to want to know who or what power performed the miracle. It is no different today. We meet a lot of skeptical people, but the answer is always the same. God, by His power, does mighty deeds. Two, when Peter answered, he was "filled with the Spirit." Today, we must answer in the power of the Spirit. Peter was "filled with the Spirit" when he answered the question. We might ask these questions: "When was Peter filled with the Spirit?" "Was Peter filled on the Day of Pentecost and remained full?" Or, "Was Peter, though previously filled, again filled for this purpose?" The predominant view is that Peter, though already filled, was filled again for this special purpose. Certainly, the use of the term filled in the Book of Acts suggests this. We as persons have a living relationship with the Spirit of God who is a person. A person can have a strong influence in our lives all the time and yet have an especially powerful influence at special times. So it is with the Spirit of God. When special occasions arise, we can expect that the Spirit of God will fill us to meet the challenges before us. Perhaps you face a difficult challenge today. As you rely on God, the Spirit will fill you to meet the need. Three, Peter acted in the name of Jesus Christ. We must act in His name today. As I said, the rulers and elders asked, "By what power, or in what name, have you done this?" Peter answers them with this comment (Acts 4:10): "let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead--by this name this man stands here before you in good health." NASU Peter's answer put the emphasis on the "name" of Jesus rather than the "power" of Jesus. However, the power of Jesus is represented by His name. Jesus has all authority and power. Thus, the miracle was by the name and power of Christ. Today, we must preach, teach, and pray in the name of Jesus. God has exalted His Son Jesus. The people crucified Him and put Him to death, but God raised Jesus from the dead. The resurrected Christ is at the right hand of God and has all power. Jesus is the head of the church. We are a part of the church, the body of Christ. So let us act in the name of Jesus. Four, there is no salvation in any name but Jesus. All roads do not lead to heaven. Now, Peter makes the point that Jesus, who was the stone they had rejected, had becomes the corner stone. Moreover, it is through Jesus alone that men may have salvation. Peter declares (Acts 4:12), "for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved." NASU This is the culminating point made by Peter, the empowered witness! Our world today is both very secular and very religious. The secular people see no need for salvation, do not believe in heaven, and have little use for religion. However, many religious Peter stress the theme that all roads lead to heaven. In contrast to all of this, Peter declares that there is no salvation in any name but the name of Jesus. He is the only way to heaven. ConclusionWe serve a Savior who is all-powerful. Ultimate victory is ours! The gates of hell will not prevail against the church (Mt. 16:18). Whether men receive Christ or not, (Phil. 2:10-11) every knee will bow at the name of Jesus and every tongue will confess that Christ is Lord. The cross will conquer the crescent and the minaret. The Muslims will know that Christ is the Son of God. The cross will deliver men from the wheel of Samsara with its unending series of rebirths. The Hindus will know that the only new birth that man can experience is to be born from above. The cross will lift men above and beyond the limits of the microscope. The secularists will know that spiritual life exists and that the material universe is subordinate to Christ honoring spiritual existence and values. The animists will know that, yes, the world of spirits, including evil spirits, does exist but that the power of the cross is greater than the power of the evil one. Even materialism will not stop the triumph of the cross. God is in control, whether the mark, and the yen and the pound go up or down! Whether the dollar lives or dies, the cross will conquer. The cross will triumph over the crystal of the New Age. The New Agers will know that truth lies not in the merger of religions but in the uniqueness of the Son of God. Jesus is both God and Man, and He is the Savior for All Ages, including the New Age.

[ Tue, 12 Sep 2006 15:05:00 GMT ]

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