29 Kefa and the other emissaries answered, “We must obey God, not men. 30 The God of our fathers[a] raised up Yeshua, whereas you men killed him by having him hanged on a stake.[b] 31 God has exalted this man at his right hand[c] as Ruler and Savior, in order to enable Isra’el to do t’shuvah and have her sins forgiven. 32 We are witnesses to these things; so is the Ruach HaKodesh, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
33 On hearing this, the members of the Sanhedrin were infuriated and wanted to put the emissaries to death.[Footnotes:
Acts 5:30 Exodus 3:15
Acts 5:30 Deuteronomy 21:22–23
Acts 5:31 Psalm 110:1]
2nd Week of Easter
Thursday of the Second week of EasterWe are witnesses of these things. (Acts 5:32)
The apostles couldn’t keep quiet! The Jewish Sanhedrin had given them strict orders not to teach in Jesus’ name, but they still felt the need to fill Jerusalem with the good news of Jesus’ resurrection. The Holy Spirit was urging them to proclaim Christ and his truth to all that they met, and no one, not even the high priest, could stop them. What’s more, it wasn’t just their public preaching that was causing such a stir. The things they said, the way they related to people, even their very demeanor, revealed the love and power of Christ.
When asked for alms by a man lame from birth, Peter replied, “In the name of Jesus Christ … rise and walk.” And the man did! When asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” he replied that the man was standing before them because of the “name of Jesus” (Acts 3:6; 4:7, 10). The power of God was flowing out of them so much that they had to explain where it was coming from.
There is great power in the name of Jesus! Consider this: when an ambassador acts in the name of his or her president, things happen. When a spokesperson acts in the name of the head of a corporation, people take notice. Similarly, Scripture tells us that when we act in the name of Jesus, things get done. Divine power flows, and lives are changed. The apostles knew that there was power in that name, and they didn’t hesitate to call upon his name to heal, to evangelize, and to build up the Church.
You shouldn’t hesitate to call on the name of Jesus, either! It is one of the greatest weapons available to us in the spiritual battle. When you find yourself getting upset, you can say, “In the name of Jesus, I cast out anger or resentment.” When you see a friend struggling, you can say (maybe under your breath), “In the name of Jesus, I proclaim peace and healing.” Begin today, and you’ll find more and more opportunities to call on the name of the Lord—and to see the power that flows when you do.
“Lord, teach me how to echo the psalmist: ‘Some rely on chariots, others on horses, but we on the name of the Lord our God!’ (Psalm 20:8).” Amen!
Psalms 34:2 (1) I will bless Adonai at all times;
his praise will always be in my mouth.
9 (8) Taste, and see that Adonai is good.
How blessed are those who take refuge in him!
17 (16) But the face of Adonai opposes those who do evil,
to cut off all memory of them from the earth.
18 (17) [The righteous] cried out, and Adonai heard,
and he saved them from all their troubles.
19 (18) Adonai is near those with broken hearts;
he saves those whose spirit is crushed.
20 (19) The righteous person suffers many evils,
but Adonai rescues him out of them all.
John 3:31 “He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the earth is from the earth and talks from an earthly point of view; he who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He testifies about what he has actually seen and heard, yet no one accepts what he says! 33 Whoever does accept what he says puts his seal on the fact that God is true, 34 because the one whom God sent speaks God’s words. For God does not give him the Spirit in limited degree — 35 the Father loves the Son and has put everything in his hands. 36 Whoever trusts in the Son has eternal life. But whoever disobeys the Son will not see that life but remains subject to God’s wrath.”
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