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By What Power or What Name? - Acts 4 The rulers of the temple rushed out to stop the commotion. They couldn’t tolerate the preaching of the resurrection through Jesus. In fact the Sadducees who controlled the temple and much of the political process of Israel didn’t even believe in the resurrection or any thing else for that matter, except the here and now. They rushed out and interrupted Peter’s sermon but not before five thousand men had believed. (Actually Peter’s sermon was simply delayed until the next day when Peter blistered their ears and aroused their guilt for crucifying Jesus). After holding Peter and John over night they were brought before the High Priest and other rulers of the temple as well as the High Priest’s relatives who had a very telling question: By what power or what name have you done this? Acts 4:7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? They had one thing right. Power and a name are always connected. In this case, the name of Jesus. They cared nothing that the lame man had been healed. Their concern was that power had been exercised and it wasn’t by them. Naturally not, they didn’t have any spiritual power , but they were very concerned about anything that would threaten the power that they held over the populace. Things haven’t changed much in two thousand years. Somebody has said, “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” This holds true in church circles, regardless of denomination and certainly in the political realm. The root cause of the corruption that affects Christian ministry is simply misuse of the Lord’s finances. This was true in Malachi 3:8-10 where the priests were stealing God’s tithe and true in the case of these rulers of the temple, and sad to say it is still true today. Peter with a fresh anointing of the Holy Ghost had a ready answer: Acts 4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, 9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; 10 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 whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. These rulers judged Peter and John to be ignorant and unlearned but they had to admit that they had been with Jesus (vs. 13). Oh to have that type of witness in our lives today! They couldn't deny that a miracle had been performed because the former lame man was standing right in front of them. Their solution: We'll simply threaten them that they speak no more in the name of Jesus. Rather like pouring gasoline on a fire, wouldn't you think? The church has always flourished when faced with resistance and grown fat and lazy when everything was running smoothly. Today the church is vibrant in Africa in spite of political unrest and in China is spite of government persecution. Sooner or later things might not be so rosy in the good old U.S. of A. Peter's response: Sorry, we'll have to obey God rather than you for we can only tell the things that we have seen and heard. Peter and John returned to their fellow disciples and apostles and rehearsed all that had happened to them. When the group heard this they erupted in spontaneous praise and prayer to God. They referred to Psalms 2 concerning the kings of the earth opposing the Lord and His Christ. They asked for the Lord to take notice and to send healings, signs and wonders in the name of His Son, Jesus. Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. There is much opposition to the mention of the name of Jesus in our society today and it is growing, even to the extent of renaming the very day that we celebrate the Lord's birth in Bethlehem. His name can hardly be mentioned in our schools and military chaplains have faced discipline for disobeying the orders to not pray in His name. This will never end, as there are numerous law suits in our courts to silence the mention of His name.. So what will our reaction be if we are ever commanded to never mention the name of Jesus? Hopefully it will be the same as that of the early apostles, "We can only tell what we have seen and heard." And hopefully with the same result, a thorough shaking of our foundations by the Holy Ghost. 'Well,' says the vet, 'let's have a look at him.' So he picks the dog up and examines his eyes, then checks his teeth.Finally, he says 'I'm going to have to put him down.' 'What? Because he's cross-eyed?' 'No, because he's heavy.' Keep Looking Up! Don and Marie Spooner About Him! Ministries Your thoughts and Inquiries Contact@about-him.com Subscribe to this devotional? Subscribe@about-him.com
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