There is power in the name of Jesus Christ

The resurrection of Jesus Christ has given Christians a living hope, confirmed His identity as a true Messiah and given meaning to our beliefs says Fr Alvan Ibeh in the latest of the Voice of Hope series.

At Easter we rejoice greatly as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. Easter reminds us that God is a faithful Father who is always true to His words. Imagine what would have happened if after promising to resurrect on the third day nothing happened eventually.  I guess by now, we won’t be proud to call ourselves Christians because everyone will believe that we have a God who disappointments. But the resurrection of Jesus Christ has given us Christians a living hope, confirmed His identity as a true Messiah and has given meaning to our beliefs (and if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless, 1 Cor 15:14).

It was when it became clear to them that Jesus had truly been resurrected, that the apostles became convinced in the power that is in the name of their Master. St Paul confirms this when he wrote, “therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow” (Philippians 2:9-10). They now believed what Jesus told them earlier, “whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it” (John 14:13-14).

Believing in this power, they were able to perform their first miracle without Jesus physically present with them in Acts 3:1-10. In Acts 3:6, Peter said to the crippled beggar, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you.  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth walk”. Immediately,  the man was healed by the power in the name of Jesus. “In the name of Jesus Christ” means “by the authority of Jesus Christ”. The apostles were doing this healing through the Holy Spirit’s power, not their own. They knew there is power in the name of Jesus and they made use of it.  The name of Jesus Christ is so powerful that it does not just make miracles happen,  it is also powerful enough to save us from our sins: “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

As Christians, we have been given the same authority to use the name of Jesus Christ and it will work for us just as it did for the apostles.  But the question is, “Do we even know that we have such authority?” Are you aware that you can actually pray for a sick person in the name of Jesus and the person will be healed? Do you know that instead of complaining,  you can actually rebuke that problem facing you in the name of Jesus and it will give way? Remember,  it is not just praying in the name of Jesus,  but believing that whatever you are asking in the powerful name of Jesus, it will be granted. Have you asked yourself why we always end our prayers by saying “through Christ our Lord” or “In Jesus’ name?”

There is power in the name of Jesus,  even the devil is aware of it and we who are God’s children should not be ignorant of it, because we can’t believe in what we are unaware of. Wishing you God’s blessings and don’t forget to follow me on my social media handles -@voice of hope family.

Comments