THE SUPREMACY OF CHRIST (Part 3).
Acts 4. Verses 8-12 read:
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, if we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; 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. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
The supremacy of Christ is not limited to his person and operation. It extends to the potency of his name by conferment and attainment. Prior to Christ’s incarnation, the prophets of old and the angel of God declared his names as:
- Emmanuel, meaning “God with us,”
- Jesus Christ, meaning the anointed Saviour.”
These names, which were conferred on him, spelt out his identity and mission on earth. Beyond conferment, Jesus attained the power and authority of his name by conquest. There are many upon whom great names have been conferred but have woefully failed to pay the price of attaining the power their names bear. Conferment must always be backed by attainment to unleash the power of a name. Thankfully, Jesus fulfilled the requirement to obtain the most superior name.
Following the miraculous healing of the cripple at the beautiful gate, Peter and James were arrested and questioned. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Peter explained to the rulers and elders of Israel that the healing of the man was by means of the name of Jesus Christ. At the time of the healing miracle, Jesus was dead, buried, resurrected, and ascended to heaven. Even in his absence of his person on earth, his name was potent enough to heal and restore men based on his matchless conquest, which we will look into more detail later in this series.
Jesus is described as the stone that was rejected by men but turned out to be the pivotal cornerstone, which holds all things together. His name carries power because it has conquered in all realms of existence; that is, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. For this reason, the name Jesus Christ is the only name capable of giving salvation to all who approach God by means of the atoning work executed by Christ on the cross of Calvary. Today’s text concludes by establishing the all-important point that “there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we (men) must be saved.” In Mark 16 verses 17-18, Jesus affirms the power in his name as follows:
……..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.
By virtue of conferment and attainment, Jesus has the most superior name, and we have the power of attorney to use his name to affirm victory over all opposing forces.
SHALOM 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏