https://app.sermonsend.com/sermon/minden-epc/acts-3-focusing-on-the-name
At the temple gate, Peter and John encountered a lame beggar and did something countercultural—they looked directly at him and engaged personally. Peter's declaration, 'In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk,' followed by taking the man's hand, resulted in complete healing. The man who had never walked began walking, leaping, and praising God, creating a stir among onlookers.This event reveals the true meaning behind the phrase 'in the name of Jesus.' Far from being a casual prayer ending, it represents invoking the actual presence and power of Jesus Himself. Throughout Acts, Jesus' name is connected to baptism, miracles, salvation, preaching, and suffering for faith. Similarly, 'Christ' isn't Jesus' last name but a title meaning 'Messiah' or 'Anointed One,' appearing 531 times in the New Testament. Peter's claim that the prophets foretold the Messiah's suffering was revolutionary, as no single Old Testament verse explicitly states this. Rather, the concept emerges from a 'Messianic mosaic' of prophecies that required divine illumination to comprehend.The healing itself defies explanation—a man lame from birth received instantaneous, complete healing without requesting it or demonstrating prior faith. This challenges our assumptions about healing requiring the recipient's faith. Instead, it was Peter's faith in Jesus' name that brought healing. This story invites us to reconsider how we use Jesus' name in prayer, understand His identity as Messiah, approach Scripture interpretation, and personally engage with those in need.
