“And when the ruling council had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then the apostles left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.” Acts 5:40-41
When I was interviewing for my first clergy position after seminary, I had an interview at a theologically “broad” church in another diocese. The day had gone fairly well until I met with the clergy staff. As we sat around the table getting to know one another, one of the priests became agitated and leaned toward me and growled, “You sure do use the “J” word a lot!” I was startled and replied, “Do you mean Jesus?” The priest nearly spit at me, “Yeah, him!” I responded back, “But Who else would I speak about?” Needless to say, I didn’t get the job.
What is it about the name of Jesus that is so divisive? Quite simply it is the power and the particularity and the purpose and the person to whom the name points. Unlike our culture, biblical names are more than just identifiers. The people of the bible were very conscious of the prophetic meaning of names. They believed there was a vital connection between the name and the person it identified for a name somehow represented the nature of the person. And so it makes sense that the only begotten Son of God would be named Jesus (God saves). The angel’s declaration to Joseph declares the purpose and significance of the child to be born: “Joseph, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins,” (Matthew 1:21).
As the apostles began their ministry in the days following Pentecost, they were constantly talking about Jesus and performing miracles in his name. Consequently, people were constantly coming to faith. And because of this the apostles were constantly in trouble with those who despised Jesus and wanted nothing to do with him. Listen to what the early chapters of Acts say with regard to his name:
Acts 2:21 — “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Acts 2: 37-38 — “When the people heard Peter’s message about Jesus, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 3:6-7 — “Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, Peter helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.”
Acts 3:12, 16 “Peter said to them: “Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.”
Acts 3:19 -20 “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.”
Acts 4:7-10, 12 “They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you heal this man?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed…Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4:18, 20 “So the council called the apostles and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”
Acts 4:29-31 The believers prayed, “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
Acts 5:27-28 “Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”
Acts 5:40-42 “They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.”
What’s in a name? In many names, not much. However in the name of Jesus there is salvation, healing, deliverance, relationship with God, spiritual authority and power, access to God, forgiveness of sin, and persecution and rejection by those who hate him.
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