Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12
Almost everyone has heard this verse during a message about the salvation of our souls. There is no other name but the name of Jesus by which we may be saved from the coming wrath of God. This verse has a dual meanings pertaining to salvation. However, in context this verse was a concluding argument Peter used in his defense before the Sanhedrin for using the mane of Jesus to heal a crippled man in chapter 3.
The beggar who was crippled from birth made eye contact with Peter and John expecting to receive something from them as Peter and John went to the temple to pray. But Peter and John had nothing in his possession to give except compassion through the name of Jesus.
"Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Acts 3:6
Peter and John had something besides the ability to use the name of Jesus and that was the knowledge that Jesus honored his promises. On the night before he suffered on the cross of Calvary Jesus promised to respond to their prayers in this manner.
I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:12-14
Peter and John used their faith they had developed over the three and half years they were disciples. They were present on the mountain when Jesus was transfigured before their eyes.
Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!" Mark 9:7
I have had to ask myself if I am listening to Christ Jesus. John brings out the point that Christians don’t really expect God to do more than all we ask or imagine. Have you asked yourself if God is in you why isn’t God healing people in the same manner as men and women were healed when Jesus ministered? The answer lies in the power you allow God to work through your belief in the name of Jesus (Ephesians 3:20.) At the same time we don’t see fellow believers in today’s church laying their hand on one another praying that God would heal them miraculously.
The reason in part is that we don’t expect God to heal miraculously in today’s church especially when medical miracles are convenient and readily available to us. We haven’t seen miracles of any kind mainly because we haven’t experienced or seen them yet they happen all the time in mission fields. The difference lies in the faith we have in the name of Jesus. We do not understand in mission fields doctors are not readily available which motivates men and women to rely on the name of Jesus.
Another reason is we are not practicing healing with the expectation of seeing Jesus heal during or immediately after our prayers. On the other hand people rely on doctors because of the assurance that the majority is healed over time. The truth may be that we are not fully persuaded that God has the power to do what he had promised (Romans 4:21).
Jesus said anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. Those words leave the impression that we do not need the gift of healing to pray for one another expecting to see God respond to our prayer. Jesus promised that you may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it (John 14:14) because he wanted to bring glory to the father. Are we really trusting Jesus to do what he promised?
I can’t say there is an exact method to healing other than trust on the name of Jesus. This is what Peter said to the high priest.
By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see. Acts 3:16
The works of God is to believe in him whom God sent for the salvation of mankind.
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 kjv
This salvation speaks of a rescue in the physical and spiritual areas of our life. This liberation is from the sin nature and the wickedness God hates. It also speaks of our physical health in regards to the healing of our body. The word saved speaks of a deliverance from and of being made whole. In both physical and spiritual areas of our health these word speak a healing process and deliverance from harm.
The anticipation of answered prayers seems to be lacking among fellow Christians. I have known people who thank me for praying for them instead of thanking God for healing them. God wants us to look forward to the event we are hoping for, that is the answer we expect from our heavenly father.
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:11
There is no other name by which we can be delivered from bodily illnesses, the desires of the flesh and from demonic powers. Jesus has the power to deliver us from every danger we face on earth. Still using our faith in Jesus determines the safety of our physical and spiritual life with the benefits that are available to us. The question we need to answer is, are we using the name of Jesus to gain victory in our life? September 30, 2013
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