PerryDox – BeJustAChristian

Many years I received a call from the bank asking if I had recently been to Venezuela. Unfortunately I hadn’t because someone was having the best vacation I never had “in my name.” Somehow, a thief had stolen the number off of my debit card. This was, in a very real sense, extremely disconcerting, inconvenient, and very much not with my approval or authority.

Every time we sign our name on the bottom of a check, or a credit card receipt, we are giving an approved company the authority to act by paying our bill in our name. It is not being paid by VISA or American Express or our bank. It is being paid by us. That’s why when a check bounces, we pay the penalty fee! This is, in a very real sense, extremely convenient and with my approval and authority.

“In the name” is not a recent concept nor is it even essentially a religious idea, as seen above.

1 Samuel 25:9 NASB  When David’s young men came, they spoke to Nabal according to all these words in David’s name; then they waited.

These young men had the authority and approval of David to speak what they did. In fact, I would go even further, and I will expound upon this again later, that acting in someone’s name is more than authority and approval. It is as if that person is acting through us.

1 Samuel 17:45-47 HCSB  David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with a dagger, spear, and sword, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel’s armies–you have defied Him.  (46)  Today, the LORD will hand you over to me. Today, I’ll strike you down, cut your head off, and give the corpses of the Philistine camp to the birds of the sky and the creatures of the earth. Then all the world will know that Israel has a God,  (47)  and this whole assembly will know that it is not by sword or by spear that the LORD saves, for the battle is the LORD’s. He will hand you over to us.”

In the book of Acts, the “name of Jesus” is essential and central to God’s work on earth through His people – and today we are God’s people:

“on the name,” “in the name,” “in His name,” “by the name,” “no other name,” “in this name,” “through the name,” “on behalf of the name,” “on Your name,” “carry My name,” “on this name,” “through His name,” “and the name,” “on His name,” “for the name.”

All of these actions show something significant throughout the book of Acts. The first occurrence is in Acts 2:21 and the last in Acts 22:16. The connection between the first and last is important essential to the theme of Acts – Jesus. Jesus is our authority, our approval, and our life.

To do something in the name of Jesus or God meant to do it by their authority and with their approval:

Acts 4:7-12 HCSB  After they had Peter and John stand before them, they asked the question: “By what power or in what name have you done this?”  (8)  Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders:  (9)  If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a disabled man–by what means he was healed–  (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 and whom God raised from the dead–by Him this man is standing here before you healthy.  (11)  This Jesus is The stone despised by you builders, who has become the cornerstone. (12)  There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.”

Not only did they act with divine authority and approval, later on we see that God was acting through Jesus who acted through them:

Acts 4:29-30 HCSB  And now, Lord, consider their threats, and grant that Your slaves may speak Your message with complete boldness,  (30)  while You stretch out Your hand for healing, signs, and wonders to be performed through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”

Just as signing our name means “by my authority,” every time something was done in Acts “in the name of Jesus,” it was by His authority and with His approval. Except one time:

Acts 19:13-17 HCSB  Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists attempted to pronounce the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I command you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches!”  (14)  Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this.  (15)  The evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize–but who are you?”  (16)  Then the man who had the evil spirit leaped on them, overpowered them all, and prevailed against them, so that they ran out of that house naked and wounded.  (17)  This became known to everyone who lived in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. Then fear fell on all of them, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

Maybe this is naïve of me, but I would take that as a warning. We need to be careful. Even though they were trying to do exactly what they had seen Paul do, God had not given them the authority and approval. And God let them know!

Other than that one exception, Throughout Acts, Jesus gave His name to the actions being done in His name. Let’s delve more into this concept of “in the name.”

“What is really meant by ‘authority’, and ‘in the name of the Lord’?” These words and phrases are similar to terms used by lawyers and those that enforce the law.  If one has ‘ Bible authority’ for some action, then he or she has Biblically-based justification for that action. Similar to lawyers, we must study God’s law to determine if we can justify everything that we do. During an arrest, policemen may shout, “… in the name of the law!”  When they say this, they express that they are agents operating by the authority of the law. However, they cannot bust through any door they wish, but only when they have this authority (search warrant, etc.). Similarly, God instructs us to not act without His authority, which likewise limits our actions to those that are ‘in the name of the Lord’, or those done by the ‘authority’ of the Lord. Therefore, these words have become synonymous with the process of establishing what is right and wrong.” (http://www.insearchoftruth.org/articles/authority2.html)

I agree with the above assertion, and yet I wonder if it goes far enough. Do you think saying something being done “in the name of Jesus” simply means by His authority? Could it be deeper than that? Could it also be that doing something “in the name of Jesus” is as if Jesus Himself is present acting through us? Acting “in the name of Jesus” might be more than acting with Jesus’ approval. It might also involve acting as if Jesus is acting through us. Isn’t that what the bank is doing? It is exactly the same as if I am doing it in person. That to me would be even more meaningful and make it more imperative to do all things by Divine authority. I would then be claiming more than Jesus approves, but also, I am an agent of Jesus working through me. That would harmonize with Acts 1:1 – “all that Jesus began to do and teach.”

As an example of this authority, approval and agency, let’s look at the very first two times in the book of Acts that this concept is used:

Acts 2:21 HCSB  then whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Acts 22:16 HCSB  And now, why delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins by calling on His name.’

The quote from Joel, cited by Peter, if taken to its contextual conclusion is making a marvelous point. “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord” in Joel is better revealed in the HCSB:

Joel 2:32 HCSB  Then everyone who calls on the name of Yahweh will be saved, for there will be an escape for those on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, as the LORD promised, among the survivors the LORD calls.

In the name of Jesus is equated with in the name of Yahweh. We can understand this several different ways, each of which I think is important and true. So what exactly is happening in Acts 2:38 when Peter says “Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”?

Is Peter asserting that he is baptized with the authority of Jesus? Yes, but it is more.

First, Peter is equating Jesus with Yahweh. Second, Yahweh is acting through Jesus. Third, Peter is acting with approval and authority in offering salvation in the name of Yahweh by baptizing in the name of Jesus. All of three of these are taught in Jesus’ last words on earth.

Matthew 28:18-20 HCSB  Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (19)  Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20)  teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Therefore some of Jesus’ last words spoken under the Old Covenant give authority and approval to some of the first words offered under the New Covenant.

Too many people reject baptism as essential to salvation because they view it as a “work” because the person baptized is doing something. That is why a proper understanding is so helpful in removing this false notion. We are baptized “in” the name of Jesus. The word translated “in” is epi. Study the meaning and see that being baptized in the name of Jesus means that we are resting in or upon (epi) His authority and His idenity. Our hope is in or upon (eip) Jesus. How can complete submission, rest, and hope to and on another ever be considered a meritorious work?  It can’t!

Epi (1909) “B. With the Dative; B.2. Metaphorically; B.2.a. of that upon which any action, effect, condition, rests as a basis or support….; B.2.a.b (beta) of that upon which anything rests: relying upon the name i.e. the authority of any one…so as to repose your hope and confidence in his Messianic authority, Acts 2:38″ (Joespeh Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament Being Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, pp.231-232).

We have looked at the beginning and end of Peter’s sermon. Let’s look at how it develops. After quoting Joel, Peter says, “Men of Israel, listen to these words: This Jesus the Nazarene was a man pointed out to you by God… (2:22). Peter then spends the rest of the sermon uplifting Jesus.

“The Pentecost speech is one f the most carefully constructed speeches in Acts. It is carefully shaped as a persuasive appeal to the kind of audience pictured in the narrative. One sign of rhetorical art is the repeated use of accusatives referring to Jesus in emphatic position at the beginning of a clause (in the Greek Text): ‘Jesus…’ (2:22), ‘this one…’ (2:23), ‘this Jesus…’ (2:23), ‘him both Lord and Messiah…, this Jesus…’ (2:26). Jesus is both the focus of attention and the object of statements concerning God’s and the audience’s actions upon him. This technique of emphasis helps to make Jesus vividly present to the audience as a special kind of person.” (Robert C. Tannehill, The Narrative Unity of Luke-Acts A Literary Interpretation, vol. 2,  p.41)

This section concludes by affirming two names of Jesus – “Therefore let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, who you crucified both Lord and Messiah!” (Acts 2:36).

That is why Peter has the right to baptize in the name of Jesus.

“The ‘name’ of Jesus represents his royal power and authority, which is invoked by his subject, and, as Hans Conzelmann points out, ‘The acts performed by virtue of the name are in conformity with what is recorded of the ministry of the historical Jesus, for it was that that set the pattern for the future.’” (Robert C. Tannehill, The Narrative Unity of Luke-Acts A Literary Interpretation, vol. 2: The Acts of the Apostles,  p.40)

But this is more than just Peter, Paul and other Christians acting with approval and authority.

“Luke has his own way of affirming the promise that, ‘For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them’ (Matt.18:20). “Always, the word of God is preached ‘in the name of Jesus Christ’ (4:30). By the name of Christ sin is forgiven (10:43) and demons exorcised (16:18). The idiom ‘name of Jesus Christ’ is Luke’s expression of the presence of Christ, but not in any magical way. Rather, the preached word unleashes the power of the resurrected Christ so that the gap between the earthly Jesus and the resurrected Lord is bridged by the Spirit.” (William H. Willimon, Acts, Interpretation A Bible Commentary for Teach and Preaching, p.13)

I am impressed with this simple but powerful lesson found in Acts. The name of Jesus has significance because it cannot be separated from Who Jesus, Lord and Messiah (Christ) and is and therefore what Jesus does. The “name” is not some magical incantation, nor is it a divine “formula” that must be verbalized which the Jewish exorcists learned (Acts 19:13-17).

In fact, noticing that the Greek word for name (onoma) is not always translated “name” leads us to an important point.

Acts 1:15 HCSB  During these days Peter stood up among the brothers–the number of people who were together was about 120–and said:

Here’s the definition:

1) name: univ. of proper names; 2) the name is used for everything which the name covers, everything the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing, remembering, the name, i.e. for one’s rank, authority, interests, pleasure, command, excellences, deeds etc.; 3) persons reckoned up by name; 4) the cause or reason named: on this account, because he suffers as a Christian, for this reason

The point is that “the name” means “the person.” That again focuses our theme, that in the name is authority, approval, and agency. Jesus is acting through us.

I think our society today as “in the name of Jesus” exactly backwards. We seem to think it means, whatever I do, just do it in the name of Jesus in order to give glory to God. Our society seems to think that God does not care what we do, as long as we do it in His name.

The Bible teaches that if anything is truly going to give glory to God, it is must be done by His authority and with His approval, and as if God is present Himself acting through us.

To close this lesson, I want to do something repetitious and yet I hope spiritually rewarding. I want to read numerous passages in Acts dealing with “the name” of Jesus, whether stated or implied. The purpose is to overwhelm and impress upon us the importance of this central and essential thought. Everything was to be done and was done in the name of Jesus.

• Acts 2:38 HCSB  “Repent,” Peter said to them, “and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus the Messiah for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
• Acts 3:6 HCSB  But Peter said, “I have neither silver nor gold, but what I have, I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”
• Acts 3:16 HCSB  By faith in His name, His name has made this man strong, whom you see and know. So the faith that comes through Him has given him this perfect health in front of all of you.
• Acts 4:10 HCSB  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 and whom God raised from the dead–by Him this man is standing here before you healthy.
• Acts 4:12 HCSB  There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.”
• Acts 5:41 HCSB  Then they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be dishonored on behalf of the name.
• Acts 8:12 HCSB  But when they believed Philip, as he proclaimed the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.
• Acts 9:15 HCSB  But the Lord said to him, “Go! For this man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before Gentiles, kings, and the sons of Israel.
• Acts 9:16 HCSB  I will certainly show him how much he must suffer for My name!”
• Acts 9:21 HCSB  But all who heard him were astounded and said, “Isn’t this the man who, in Jerusalem, was destroying those who called on this name, and then came here for the purpose of taking them as prisoners to the chief priests?”
• Acts 9:27 HCSB  Barnabas, however, took him and brought him to the apostles and explained to them how, on the road, Saul had seen the Lord, and that He had talked to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus.
• Acts 9:28 HCSB Saul was coming and going with them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.
• Acts 10:43 HCSB  All the prophets testify about Him that through His name everyone who believes in Him will receive forgiveness of sins.”
• Acts 10:48 HCSB  And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for a few days.
• Acts 15:14 HCSB  Simeon has reported how God first intervened to take from the Gentiles a people for His name.
• Acts 15:17 HCSB  so that those who are left of mankind may seek the Lord–even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, says the Lord who does these things,
• Acts 15:26 HCSB who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
• Acts 16:18 HCSB  And she did this for many days. But Paul was greatly aggravated, and turning to the spirit, said, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” And it came out right away.
• Acts 19:5 HCSB  On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
• Acts 19:17 HCSB  This became known to everyone who lived in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. Then fear fell on all of them, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
• Acts 21:13 HCSB  Then Paul replied, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
• Acts 22:16 HCSB  And now, why delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins by calling on His name.’

What applications can we make today?

First, Jesus must be central and essential to everything we do. This church is not only a church of Jesus Christ, we also belong to Christ Jesus in everything we do.

Second, it is Jesus who saves, and not some church. We are in the church because we are saved, and not saved because we are in the church.

Third, we have this awful concept that sin brings reproach “upon the church.” People it reproach upon Jesus and His name, not the name of the church.

Fourth, we must be careful in declaring what is done in Jesus’ name. To simply claim “in Jesus name” is not the same as Jesus approving it being done in His name. May we never have the attitude that we do not need authority and approval for our actions.

Fifth, it is equally important for the individual, not the just the church to do all religious or spiritual things in the name of Jesus

Sixth, acting in the name of the Jesus means doing something right. Too many are too busy doing nothing “in the name of Jesus” except condemning others. You might as well go bury your excuses along aside the one talent.

If and when we make it to heaven, it will because of the name of Jesus. He signed our check and paid our bill. We will have His authority and approval to live forever in His presence.

Tags: Authority, Denominationalism, Hermeneutics, Institutionalism, Sermon, Work of the Church

This entry was posted by PHall on Sunday, December 12th, 2010 at 12:38 am and is filed under Acts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.