What is The Power In The Name Of Jesus?
November 2022
Alberta Vadnais
I love finding ways to feel God in my day, whether I’m going to work or cooking dinner. I make sure I’m connected to Him by listening to Bible stories, sermons, praying, and singing praise songs. All the apps I test are introduced into my everyday life so that I can feel their usability on a daily basis.
As Christians, we believe that there is power in the name of Jesus, just as the Bible tells us. However many believers don’t understand what this truly entails.
Some see and use the name ‘Jesus Christ’ as a magic word or incantation that automatically causes supernatural things to happen. When nothing happens, they get disappointed and begin to doubt if there is truly power in it.
We must realize, however, that the name Jesus was a very common one in first-century Israel. Even today, some Jews and people from different cultural backgrounds even bear the name Jesus or something similar to it.
What then makes the name of Christ in particular so special? How do we have power in it? That’s what the article aims to help you find out. Read further down to learn more.
What Does The Name ‘Jesus’ Mean?
According to scholars, Jesus (/ˈdʒiːzəs/) is a male given name derived from Iēsous (Ἰησοῦς), the Ancient Greek form of the Aramaic name ‘Yeshua or Y’shua’. It means ‘to deliver’ or ‘rescue’.
As a result of its roots, it is also etymologically related to the name Joshua.
In the first century Galilee, Jesus would have probably been called Yeshua. He would have been known as ‘Yeshua Bar Yehosef’ or ‘Yeshua Nasraya’ meaning “Jesus, son of Joseph” or “Jesus of Nazareth.
The transliteration of Yeshua into Greek and then English was only done in modern times.
What Power Is In The Name Of Jesus?
Let us get one thing clear. The only thing that sets apart the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth is who it belongs to and what His sacrifice for us did. It is not in the arrangement of the letters or the addition of Christ to “Jesus”.
The Bible tells us in Philippians 2:9 that God has given Jesus a name that is above every other name, that all knees on earth will bow to. He earned this because He paid the ultimate price to free us from the slavery of sin and was glorified.
His name embodies power, but we can only access this power by faith and submission to Him.
Take for example the seven sons of Sceva who attempted to cast out devils with the name in Acts 19:13-16.
The demons turned on them and beat them because although they were using Jesus in their attempts, they weren’t submitted to the authority of God. They were not believers but sought their own gain and the admiration of people.
There’s deliverance, authority, healing, salvation, and protection in the name of Jesus Christ. But only by believing in and submitting to the Lord can we use this power. God is not deceived and His holy name will not be used in vain.
Why Is It Important To Follow God’s Guidance?
We are all rookies when it comes to navigating life. Each of us is only facing it for the first time, so we’re bound to face challenges and obstacles on the way and not know how to go about them.
But as believers, we have an advantage in Christ. God our Father and Creator has not only existed before time began, but His wisdom is what put the earth in place. What’s more? He loves us.
So you can be sure that God wants the best for you, even more than you want the best for yourself.
When we understand that He is in control and we actively follow His guidance, we can be assured that whatever happens along the way is all for our good.
Bible Verses That Show Power In The Name Of Jesus
Here are some scriptures about the name of Jesus to give you a bit more understanding on the topic.
“But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”
To give a little context to this verse, Acts 3 opens up with a man cripple from birth who begged for alms at the beautiful gate of the Temple. Peter and John on their way to the Temple at 3 o’clock the hour of prayer met him there.
He asked them for alms and it was at that moment Peter told him they didn’t have money to give him and commanded him to walk in the name of Jesus Christ.
We see Jesus’ power at work healing the cripple man and everyone was amazed by the miracle.
“The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!”
Here, Jesus had sent 72 of his disciples out in pairs, without provisions to preach the Kingdom of God, work miracles, and cast out devils.
They returned to Christ with the testimony that even demons were obedient to them at the mention of Him. This goes on to reinforce the fact that there is indeed power in the name of Jesus Christ.
It says,
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Jesus is salvation. When we say salvation, it means much more than just the New Birth.
Salvation is the power of God unto deliverance. It is the power of God unto safety, preservation, and soundness of mind. It includes healing and abundance.
All these are what Christ has paid for by His sacrifice for us on the cross and have been freely given to us in His name.
“Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.”
“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
“Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed—and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ name has healed him before your very eyes.”
How Do We Use The Power In The Name of Jesus?
- Use it to put sickness to flight.
Mark 16:17-18 tells us that by His name we will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. If the Bible says it, we must believe it.
- Exercise your victory over Satan and his works by the power in it.
In Mark 16:18 too, Jesus assures us that in His name we will cast out demons.
- Take refuge in it.
Proverbs 18:10 says,
“The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.”
Whenever things seem chaotic around us, our Lord is a rock that we can depend on.
- Pray in the name of Jesus.
It is in the Lord’s name that we are instructed to pray in John 16:23–24. When we do so, we pray with Christ’s authority and we can be sure that God hears and will answer us.
Final Thoughts
The power in the name of Jesus is made available to all Christians by faith in who Jesus is, His death on the cross, and all He has made available to us by reason of that death. He gives us the authority to serve, work, and pray in it.
Something so sacred should not just be used as an exclamation or any way in vain as is the practice of many people. It should be a name we are the most thankful for. We should treat it with reverence every day.
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