The Name that is Worthy of Faith

While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all” (Acts 3:11-16).

God used Peter and John’s compassionate confrontation with a needy man to demonstrate the healing power of faith in the name of Jesus. He also drew a crowd and anointed Peter with the words that confronted the hearts of many with the saving power of faith in the name of Jesus. We are reminded here of our great privilege and responsibility to confront our generation every day, in words and deeds, with the name that is worthy of faith.

The name of Jesus is glorified by God. The Father glorified Jesus at His baptism… “and behold, a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased’” (Matthew 3:17), at His transfiguration… “He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him’” (Matthew 17:5), and at His death and resurrection… “When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you’” (John 17:1). Finally, God glorifies His Son through the lives of His disciples… “All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them” (John 17:10). How might Jesus be glorified in our lives today?

The name of Jesus is denied by unbelievers. The name that identifies Christ as the Savior was given to Him at the announcement of His birth… “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). His very name should provoke reflection on the condition of our hearts and of our relationship with our Creator. Sinners are dead in sin and unable to grasp or respond to spiritual truth… “You were dead in the trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). Without God’s grace, such conviction leads to denial of the truth that we are sinners in need of a Savior.

The name of Jesus is trusted by believers. Through God’s grace we are quickened, brought to spiritual life so we might understand and respond to the truth that Jesus saves us… “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved” (Ephesians 2:4-5). We are set free to exercise faith in the name of Jesus, the One who “will save his people from their sins”. Our salvation and daily walk and witness with Jesus our Savior glorifies the Father and the Son every day!

As we grow up into Christ, our maturing relationship with Jesus shows the world we believe in…

The Name that is Worthy of Faith.