Sermon 5

The Power Of His Name

Acts 3:1-4:4

The emphasis in Acts 3 and 4 is on the name of the Lord Jesus (3:6, 16; 4:7, 10, 12, 17, 18, 30). A name, of course, implies much more than identification. It carries with it authority, reputation and power. The name of the Lord Jesus is "above every name" (Philippians 2:9-11) and has "all authority" (Matthew 28:18). When we pray, it is in Jesus' name, John 14:13-14. When we baptize, it is in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Matthew 28:19. We baptize in Jesus' name, Acts 2:38. We preach and teach in the name of Jesus, Acts 4:18; 9:27. "In Jesus name" is not some magical formula, some abracadabra, but it is the authority by which we operate.

In the text for this message, the apostles heal and preach in the name of Jesus. There is one event in this passage, but it takes place in three stages. In this section, the Jewish emphasis is very pronounced (vs. 12-13; 25-26).

A Healing, 3:1-10.

The early Jewish Christians, apparently still went to the Temple to pray at traditional hours (Psalm 55:17; Daniel 6:10). The ninth hour is 3:00 in the afternoon. Peter and John had been partners in a fishing business (Luke 5:10). Together they had prepared the last Passover meal (Luke 22:8), together they ran to see the empty tomb (John 20:3-4) and here, together they go to the temple to pray. They are prayer partners.

It is here that a "healing" takes place, one of many (Acts 2:43) selected specifically by the Holy Spirit for recording in God's Word. Verses 2-10 describe it. Disease and disability turned men into beggars dependent on being able to secure a strategic location and on the charity and compassion of others for survival.

Instead of giving him money, Peter performed a healing so that he would no longer need to beg.

At this point, we need to understand some things about healing. The Bible is replete with warnings about false teachers and false prophets (Acts 20:29). How does one distinguish between a false teacher and a true teacher? Today, we determine who speaks for God by comparing their teaching with scripture. However, during the days of the apostles, there was no New Testament. Thus, the Lord accredited His messengers with special supernatural gifts and miracles, see II Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 2:3-4; I Corinthians 13:8ff. Among those gifts were healing.

We do no believe that men have these apostolic gifts today. The so-called "healings" that take place today are either fraudulent, psychosomatic or satanic. That does not mean that God no longer heals in response to the prayers of His children, when it is consistent with His will.

Some Characteristic Of Biblical Healing

1. It was done by an apostle (or close associate).

2. It was an unbeliever who was healed.

3. It was done unexpectedly.

4. It was done in the name of Jesus.

5. It was instantaneous.

6. It was complete.

A Sermon, 3:11-26.

A notable miracle of healing attracted a large crowd, vs. 9-11. The rest of the chapter consists of the sermon that Peter preached to them.

First, Peter explained that this man had not been healed by his power. Peter wanted them to know that it was Jesus Christ, the Son of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who had been the source of this miracle.

Second, Peter was bold to remind these Jews of the way they had treated Jesus. Delivered to and Denied before Pilate ® Desired a murderer over Jesus ® Murdered their own Messiah.

Calvary may have been man's last word about Jesus but the empty tomb was God's last word. Perhaps some of this had been done in ignorance but they were no longer ignorant. They were witnesses of Christ's resurrection and of his healing. Peter reminded them that this had all be in fulfillment of the prophets (v. 18; 20-26). Third, you see that Peter preached the death, burial and resurrection of Christ according to the scriptures which, according to I Corinthians 15:1-4, is the Gospel.

Fourth, Peter called the people to repentance and conversion, v. 19.

The Result, 4:1-4.

Incredibly, about 5000 men were saved that day. But the Jewish hierarchy was upset. Especially, the Saducees who didn't believe in resurrection, were upset that the resurrection of the dead was being preached. Peter and John were arrested and spent the night in jail. Next, we will pick up the story of what happened the next day.

Allow me to conclude with a few practical applications and insights.

1. God is long-suffering with sinners.

2. A true witness involves the bad news of sin and guilt as well as the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

3. The way to reach the masses is by helping the individual sinner.

4. The best defense of the truth of the Christian faith is a changed life. The healed beggar was "Exhibit A" in the defense of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

5. Like Peter, we must present the Gospel and call people to repentance.

6. Where God is blessing, Satan is sure to show up and attempt to silence the witness and stop the work. Often he uses religious people to do his work.