- Introduction
- Many people today speak things to Christians that are purposely offensive in the name of free speech, art, or literature.
- People have been legally punished in the United States for using the name of Jesus.
- Why is the name of Jesus so offensive to unbelievers?
- Let us consider Acts 3-5 to find the answers.
- A story about Jesus’ name
- Acts 3:6 – “in the name of Jesus”
- Acts 3:16 – “on the basis of faith in His name …”
- Acts 4:7 – “in what name have you done this?”
- Acts 4:8-12 – “by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene … this man stands before you in good health.”
- Acts 4:17-18 – “speak no longer to any man in this name”
- Acts 4:29-30 – “through the name of Your holy servant Jesus”
- Acts 5:28 – “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in His name …”
- Acts 5:40-41 – “they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus”
- What does this episode teach us concerning those who are opposed to Jesus and offended at His name?
- The power that is associated with the name of Jesus is evident to them.
- They cannot deny the power of Jesus’ name, so they seek to oppress it by intimidation and manipulation.
- They are offended because the name of Jesus calls on them to be accountable for their own deeds.
- Acts 17:31
- Their attempts to silence Christians fail, so they often turn to punitive measures to enforce their will against Christians.
- Final thoughts
- Acts 5:11
- Acts 4:12
SD
April 17, 2017
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