In the Name of Jesus

Acts 3

Friend, there is power in the name of Jesus! There is healing and forgiveness in the name of Jesus. And there is the refreshing blessing of salvation in the name of Jesus!

In this chapter we continue to see the power of the Holy Spirit at work through God’s people. Here Peter and John bring a crippled man to his feet – not in their own ability and not in their own piety, but in the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

Understandably, the man who was healed can hardly contain himself. This man, who had never before known what it was like to stand or walk or run or leap, is suddenly lifted to his feet and then enters the temple jumping for joy and praising God loudly enough, I’m sure, to rock the angels in heaven.

The crowds marvel at what’s taking place, and Peter seizes the moment and lets the gospel loose. He doesn’t sugar-coat the message, either. He calls the people to account for denying Jesus and delivering Him over to Pilate. He exposes their sin and lays the death of the Author of Life on them.

But he also delivers the good news. Jesus’ death was part of God’s plan, and so was His resurrection from the grave. The message is the same for people today as it was then: Repent! Turn away from sin and turn to God, that your sins may be blotted out and times of refreshing and blessing may come from the presence of the Lord!