His Name is Power

His Name is Power
SALVATION’S NAME
Terry R. Baughman
“And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, ‘By what power or by what name have you done this?’ … 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” (Acts 4:7, 10).
An outstanding miracle took place just outside the most notable gate of the Temple, the Beautiful Gate. According to historians it was a majestic gate seventy-five feet high. It was likely to have been made of bronze with an overlay of silver and gold. It was an impressive background for the miracle that took place in Acts, chapter three. 
A man who had been lame all of his life, forty years, was assisted to a place near the Beautiful gate every day to beg for the coins that worshippers might drop in his hands on their way into the Temple. This man in abject poverty sat in the shadows of the opulent gate which glittered with silver and gold. Significantly, as Peter and John passed the man on their way to the Temple, 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” (Acts 3:6). Immediately the man was healed. He was assisted up on his feet for the first time in his life and he began leaping and rejoicing with new strength in his legs and a praise on his lips as they moved into the Temple with great demonstration.
The miracle caused quite a stir among the religious devout. For such a common and well-known feature as the lame man outside the Temple to be suddenly absent due to his complete healing certainly created a buzz of speculation. “Who did it? When did it happen? How did they do it?” These were some of the questions that were being asked. Some looked at Peter and John as though they had some holy anointing or special powers within themselves. Peter was quick to disavow their own ability to perform miracles, but readily confessed that it was through the power of the resurrected Jesus, “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” (Acts 3:16).
The power for performing the miraculous is in the name of Jesus. Signs and wonders were accomplished by the disciples, but all were quick to acknowledge that their power was only through the name of Jesus. The same authority is resident in the life of every believer today. Jesus said, “He who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do .… If you ask anything in My name, I will do it” (John 14:12–14). Every indication is that healing, miracles, signs and wonders will be accomplished in the church community and in our interaction with others.
Peter went on to establish that in the name of Jesus there is power for salvation. From his inaugural message at the birth of the church in Acts 2 he established the necessity of speaking the name of Jesus. He instructed the repentant, “Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). He told the religious leaders who questioned them after the healing of the lame man, salvation comes in the name of Jesus. He said, “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). 
In the house of Cornelius, Peter preached a similar message, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, … To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins” (Acts 10:38, 43). His name holds all power. Jesus is Salvation’s Name!
Theme passage:
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12 NIV).

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