Fundamentals of Christianity 2 / Training Center / Next Lesson / Previous Lesson / Home / Testing Center
The Name Of JesusFundamentals of Christianity 2
Lesson 8
Why do Christians pray "in the name of Jesus"? What does His name mean to us? That is what we will be discussing in today's lesson.
Names are important. They identify us. Our name is also our authority. If we sign our name to a contract, we are placing our seal of authority on it. We are saying we agree to everything in the contract and it is legally binding. It is illegal to sign someone's name to something for him. Only we, and in some cases our legal spouse have the right to use our name.
In God's kingdom names have an even higher purpose. Names depict the character or the purpose of the person or thing being named. For example, God changed Abram's name to Abraham, which means father of many nations. It was God's purpose for Abraham's life, that he would be a father to many nations of people. We see names showing a person's true character all throughout the bible.
"Jesus" means God saves, or God with man, which defines Jesus' purpose. God gave Jesus his name before he was even conceived in his mother's womb, then God raised Him up and gave him power and authority over all things. His name is above every name on earth.
And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. Luke 2:21
Wherefore God also hath exalted him, and given him a name, which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11
As the bride of Christ, we have been given the name of Jesus just as when a woman marries a man, she takes His name. The name of Jesus is not just any name, it is the name above all names, the name with all power and all authority! It has been given to us to use until we are rejoined with Him!
Think of it, when you pray in the name of Jesus, you are praying in the authority of Jesus. It is like signing His name to your prayer. It is like Jesus praying the prayer for you. You can be assured your prayer will be answered, as long as you are praying for the will of God to be done. God's will is made clear by His word. He wants every good thing for you. We must have faith in the name of Jesus and we will see our prayers answered.
We are saved by the name of Jesus.
And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Acts 2:21
But these are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing, you might have life through his name. John 20:31
But as many as received Him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name. John 1:12
We receive the things we need through praying in the name of Jesus.
And whatsoever you shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. John 14:13-14
You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in my name, He may give it you. John 15:16
So far, you have asked nothing in my name: ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:24
We have power through the name of Jesus.
by stretching forth your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy Holy Child Jesus. Acts 4:30
Is there any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up and if he has committed sins they shall be forgiven. James 5:14
Then Peter said, silver and gold have I none; but such as I have, give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up, stood and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. Acts 3:6-8
And His name through faith in His name hath made this man strong, whom you see and know; the faith which is by Him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. Acts 3:16
And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have you done this? Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, you rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, if we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by Him doth this man stand here before you healed. Acts 4:7-10
We have authority through the name of Jesus.
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Mark 16:17-18And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And He said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:17-19
Some words of caution:
The name of Jesus is for believers, those that have truly been born into God's kingdom, with evidence of the fruit of righteousness in their life. We can learn what can happen to those that use the name of Jesus as some kind of incantation rather than as a true believer from the story of the sons of Sceva.
God did powerful things through Paul, things quite out of the ordinary. The word got around and people started taking pieces of clothing--handkerchiefs and scarves and the like--that had touched Paul's skin and then touching the sick with them. The touch did it--they were healed and whole. Some itinerant Jewish exorcists who happened to be in town at the time tried their hand at what they assumed to be Paul's "game." They pronounced the name of the Master Jesus over victims of evil spirits, saying, "I command you by the Jesus preached by Paul!" The seven sons of a certain Sceva, a Jewish high priest, were trying to do this on a man when the evil spirit talked back: "I know Jesus and I've heard of Paul, but who are you?" Then the possessed man went berserk--jumped the exorcists, beat them up, and tore off their clothes. Naked and bloody, they got away as best they could. Acts 19:11-16
The name of Jesus has been given to those that belong to God. To use the name of Jesus is a powerful and holy thing not to be toyed with or used for personal gain. The name of Jesus should always be used only in deep reverence for the person of Jesus.
We must be careful not to take the Lords name in vain, or to use it inappropriately in a slang or disrespectful way. One of the Ten Commandments warns us that God will find no one that does this innocent. We must always use utmost respect when using any of the Lord's names.
Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Deuteronomy 5:11Being a child of God is an awesome thing! Christianity is unlike any other religion in the world. It is a religion of supernatural power and authority through the name of Jesus. Any and every thing we need we can receive through faith in His name! We can also be a powerful source of help to those in need through the name of Jesus.
I want to leave you with this closing scripture: And whatever you do, in word or deed, do all in the name of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:12
Weekly Challenges:
Scripture Memorization: So far, you have asked nothing in my name: ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:24
L.O.V.E. Challenge: This week during your prayer time, find a private location. Pray aloud being sure to end your prayer with, "in the name of Jesus I pray". Be sure to pray for yourself daily asking God to help you in all your areas of weakness. No one knows your needs like you do. Ask God to give you a deeper understanding of who He is and what His name means to you.
Scripture Reading: Read a chapter of the Bible each day working your way through the New Testament.
Prayer: Pray at least 20 minutes daily. Continue to make worship a daily part of your prayer time