As believers in Jesus Christ—we’ve all been commissioned to a specific task. This task is recorded for us in Matthew 28:19, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” We’re reminded of this again in Acts 1:8 when Jesus says, “You will be My witnesses, in Jerusalem, Judea, and to the ends of the earth.”

When we examine these passages closely—you will see that we’re told to do something. Not only are we told what to do—we’re also told to do this in Jesus name. Why is that?

One reason we’re told to make disciples in Jesus name—is to prevent confusion. The type of confusion that happened in the Corinthian church (1 Cor 1:10-17). In the Corinthian church—some folks divided into factions and began to put their eyes on men rather than Christ. (ex: I follow Paul, Peter…etc) This creates both confusion and division.

Another reason we’re told to make disciples in the name of Jesus has to do with authority. When we do something in the name of someone we’re placing the authority for our work in them. For example: If a police officer were to say to you, “Stop in the name of the law,” he would be acting under the authority of the law.

This is especially true in Biblical writing. In Matthew 28:18 Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and earth had been given to Him”…therefore, He has the authority to send us out to accomplish the task He has commissioned us to do. Therefore, as we go out into the world with the gospel…we go in Jesus name.

What we’re going to see today as we continue our study here in Acts 4 is there’s something about the name of Jesus that either encourages people to praise Him, or causes people to react to His name in disgust. Not only was this true of the first century…it’s still true today. So—what is it about Jesus’ name…that creates a response like no other name?

1. There is salvation in His name.

Look at what Peter says in verse 12, “Salvation is found in no one else—for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Why would Peter say this? We learned from chapter 3 that Peter and John had been used by God to heal a crippled man. We also learned that Peter used this opportunity preach the need for people to turn to Christ for the forgiveness of their sins (v19). Furthermore, Peter said the power/authority for the miracle was in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Now, as we move into chapter 4…we learn that Peter and John have been arrested. Were they arrested for giving a lame man the ability to walk or was it something they said?

There’s no doubt it was something they said. They said the power/authority for the miracle was in the name…Jesus. In other words—He’s the one responsible for the man’s healing. Why would that be a problem? Doesn’t this miracle perhaps point to the Messiah (Is 35:6)? The Jews were looking for the messiah…were they not?

Luke says the Sadducees were the ones upset at Peter’s message in verse 1. They were basically in charge of the Sanhedrin—and they were very traditional in their beliefs. They didn’t believe in a resurrection from the grave and they didn’t believe that the messiah was necessarily a real person…but more like a process or idea. In other words—God would work through the rulers and elders to usher in a messianic era. And they were the rulers. And they liked being the rulers.  

Peter is pointing to something here in verse 12 that encourages some people to praise and others to disgust…the exclusivity of salvation. In other words—Jesus is your only hope of getting to heaven (John 14:6, I John 5:12). There’s no other power or person in this world that can provide salvation.

There’s another point Peter was making here as well...shepherds need a Savior also. The Sadducees, although they were shepherding God’s people—they were not the Master. Therefore, they needed to experience salvation through Jesus name like everyone else.

2. There is strength in His name.

Look at verse 13, “When they saw the courage of Peter and John, and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men…they were astonished.” Peter and John are basically standing before the Supreme Court of our day. Pretty intimidating I imagine…Amen. Yet—the members of the Sanhedrin are captivated by their courage. They know Peter and John haven’t been properly trained in the Rabbinical schools—yet they speak with authority. What would account for this?

The only conclusion the rulers come to is, “they took note that these men had been with Jesus” (v13). Church—if we’ve been with Jesus and He has poured His Spirit into our lives…He’s all you need. Now look at verse 8, “Then Peter, Filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them.” He spoke with courage. By the way—this is exactly what Jesus said He would do when they found themselves on trial for His name (Luke 12:11-12).

How many of us here today have truly come to understand what Luke is saying here about the courage/strength provide by the Spirit of God? Paul tells us the same thing in Philippians 4:13 when he says, “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” The Him is Christ. Again, the strength is found in His name. Using His name is the same as saying Jesus is the source of power.

Church—our lives, our ministries, must be lived out in Jesus name. Not just attaching the phrase “in Jesus name” at the end of a prayer as if it is some type of magical incantation. Rather, it is by walking in the power of God’s Spirit through complete surrender of your life. It’s realizing there’s not only salvation in Jesus’ name—but there’s also strength in Jesus’ name. The same Spirit of God that created the universe out of nothing lives in the life of everyone who gives their life to Jesus. Can you imagine what He can do in and through us if we would submit ourselves completely to His authority. Look at Peter—he’s a born-again fisherman standing before the elite of Israel and they are astonished by what he is doing.

3. There is subjugation in His name.

We must not lose sight of the fact that Peter and John are under arrest. They’re being persecuted for preaching the power of Jesus’ name. In chapter 5 we’ll learn they are even beaten for sharing the gospel.

Jesus said there would come a day when some will believe they are doing God a favor by killing Christians. There is a cost for living out your faith in Jesus. For example; Christianity Today said 177,000 people were martyred for their faith in Jesus over the past year. That’s 2 every 15 minutes.

Persecution for professing to have a personal faith in Jesus name for some is physical, financial, or it’s relational. Still, for others it’s more emotional. For example; many feel the only group in society today that it’s politically correct to poke fun at is Christians.

Jesus said in John 15:18, “If the world hates you, keep this in mind…it hated Me first.” And then in verse 21 He goes on to say, “They will treat you this way because of My name.” There’s something about the name of Jesus that causes some to praise and drives others to disgust.

There’s always the potential in any fellowship to become so caught-up in tradition they lose sight of Jesus really is. Ministry somehow becomes more about maintaining what’s been built than sharing the message of salvation, the strength, and even the subjugation that comes with Jesus’ name.  

Let me ask you this morning—is your walk with Christ more about maintaining where you currently are? Or—is it about astonishing people by simply going where you believe God might use you. Making yourself available for whatever happens (Phil 1:27-28).