TEXT:
‘But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized’ (Acts 8:12)
THOUGHT:
There is a fundamental difference between religion (which usually believes in a god) and Christianity. The difference is Christ! Religion puts the onus on a person to do enough good to earn heaven, whereas Jesus has done it all for us because we could not, and it is ours by faith.
Philip, scattered by the persecution in Jerusalem, travelled to Samaria and started evangelising. His message was clear and concise. He preached about the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. Later, when he met the Ethiopian chancellor, he preached Jesus to him.1
The cause of that persecution is recorded. The religious authorities said, ‘We gave you strict orders never again to teach in this man’s name! They called in the apostles and had them flogged. Then they ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus, and they let them go’ (Acts 5:28, 40 NLT). The result of their threats and beatings, far from being like water to put out the gospel flames, became fuel on the fire that caused the message to be spread everywhere. Not even the death of Stephen, the first martyr, could deter them.
Today there is a missing ingredient. The Kingdom of God is being preached with talks about the environment, social injustice and the need to welcome everyone whatever their lifestyle, but where are the sermons about Jesus? He said, ‘Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more’ (John 8:11). There we have love and repentance, forgiveness but also a command to change lifestyles into what is good and godly.
Why is the name of Jesus so important? What can His name do that others cannot?
1. It makes our faith personal
When the lame man was healed2, he could not speak about Jesus because he did not know who had done it. Later on Jesus found him rejoicing in the temple and said, ‘See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you. The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well’ (John 5:14-15). He was quick to start speaking about the One who had changed his life so miraculously.
It was the same when Jesus healed the blind man3. He too did not know Jesus had done it. After he was excommunicated for speaking up for the one who had healed him, Jesus found him and asked, ‘Do you believe in the Son of God. He replied, Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?’ Once he knew it was Jesus, he said, ‘Lord I believe, and he worshipped Him’ (John 9:36-38)
The only way to become a Christian is, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved’ (Acts 16:31). ‘If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved’ (Romans 10:9). When we personally call on the name of Jesus, we end up with a personal Saviour and are saved!
2. It makes our faith powerful
Jesus said, ‘These signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover’ (Mark 16:17-18).
The more we believe and preach about the name of Jesus, the more the miraculous will be manifested. It’s a tragedy when churches and Christians magnify the name of Mary and other saints more than the name of Jesus.
Philip preached Christ and the result was ‘Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed’ (Acts 8:7 NLT).
The apostles did the same. ‘The disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs’ (Mk 16:20 NLT).
Churches that leave out Jesus end up with a form of godliness but deny or stop the power of God from being able to do anything. Jesus experienced this first hand. ‘Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them’ (Mark 6:5).
Let us be like Peter who said to the lame man, ‘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). And he did, immediately!
3. It makes our faith practical
Jesus said, ‘Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men’ (Mark 1:17). Paul urged Christians to follow him as he followed Christ.4
Many people’s beliefs are abstract and have no influence on their lifestyle. They believe what they want and live how they feel, but the moment someone hears about Jesus, they are challenged to live like He did. Although He lived a perfect life, something you and I can never achieve, we can and should adopt godly principles for living because we belong to Him.
This is why the Bible highlights practical issues of life and exhorts Christians to put away lying; forgive and love one another; not to steal; be generous and guard against the lusts of the flesh, the pride of life and the deceitfulness of riches.
When we do get things wrong and fall short, we must always remember there is forgiveness but also a power available to help us back on our feet and to not keep committing the same mistakes over and over again.
Let’s talk about Jesus more and more!
Endnotes:
1 Acts 8:35 2 John 5:1-15 3 John 9:1-41 4 1 Corinthians 11:1
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