The Name of Jesus
It is truly edifying to trace through the New Testament the varied virtues of the name of Jesus. We shall just refer to a few passages.
- There is salvation in the name of Jesus. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). The soul that trusts in the name of Jesus gets all the saving virtue that belongs to that name.
- There is eternal life in the name of Jesus. “These [things] are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name” (John 20:31). The soul that simply trusts in the name of Jesus becomes a partaker of His life, and that life can never be forfeited, because it is eternal.
- There is remission of sins through the name of Jesus. “To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins” (Acts 10:43). The soul that simply trusts in the name of Jesus is forgiven, according to the value of that name, in God’s judgment. It matters not what or who he may be that comes to God in the name of Jesus: he gets all the credit, all the value, all the virtue of that name, and could no more be rejected than the One in whose name he comes. If I go into a bank with a wealthy and trustworthy man’s name on a check, I enter in all the confidence that his wealth and credit can give. It matters not what or who I am; I come in his name. Thus, it is with a sinner who comes to God in the name of Jesus.
- The name of Jesus is the power of prayer. “And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in My name, I will do it” (John 14:13,14). The believer, coming to God in the name of Jesus, could no more be refused than Jesus Himself.
- The name of Jesus gives power over Satan and over all manner of evil. “And these signs shall follow them that believe; in My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:17,18; see also Acts 3:6; 16:18; James 5:14). It may be said that this power is no longer available. I reply that we are tracing through the New Testament the power and value of the name of Jesus. That name has power in heaven, power on earth, power in hell, power over angels, power over men, power over devils. Let faith use that precious, matchless, powerful, all-prevailing name.
- God’s assembly, wherever it is, is gathered in the name of Jesus. “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). Observe, it does not say, “Where two or three meet.” Men may meet upon any ground or for any object they please, but only the Holy Spirit can gather unto the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
- The name of Jesus will be the object of universal and everlasting homage. “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him and given Him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things [these] in heaven, and things [those] in earth, and things [those] under the earth” (Philippians 2:9,10).
May God the Holy Spirit unfold to our souls more of the power and value of the name of Jesus, so that we may more fully know what we have in Him and be enabled to use His name in more holy confidence at all times, under all circumstances, and for all purposes.
