And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know.
Acts 3:16 (NKJV)
Over the last number of days, we’ve been discussing what Jesus accomplished for us. While Jesus’ work definitely involves the forgiveness of our sins, it’s also about our authority as believers.
Acts 3 tells the story of when Peter healed a man who was begging at a city gate. When people wondered how the man was healed, Peter made it very clear. The miracle happened through faith in the name of Jesus.
Why is Jesus’ name so powerful?
After Jesus’ resurrection, Jesus told the
disciples that all authority had been given
to Him in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). Jesus has all authority, and He’s given believers permission to use His name. In John 16:23 He said, “Whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you” (NKJV).
Imagine if you visited a kingdom where the king had given you a signed document that gave you the authority to use his name for anything. You could go to the bank and make a withdrawal from his account. If you were injured, you could get the same treatment a king would receive, with access to the best doctors and hospitals. With full authority to use the king’s name, nothing would be withheld from you. Whatever the king had access to could be yours.
This is exactly the level of authority that Jesus has handed to us as believers. Whatever He has is ours. Whatever He deserves, we get. Does Jesus have the authority to heal others? Yes! Therefore, so do you, in His name!
When you think of the finished work of Christ, think of the authority you’ve been given in Christ.