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November 19, 1995
(Col 3:17 KJV) And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of
the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Hebrews: This epistle shows Christ as the end, foundation, body, and truth of the
figures of the law, which of themselves were no virtue for the soul. The great truth
set forth in this epistle is that Jesus of Nazareth is the true God. The unconverted
Jews used many arguments to draw their converted brethren from the Christian
faith. They represented the law of Moses as superior to the Christian dispensation,
and spoke against every thing connected with the Saviour. The apostle, therefore,
shows the super iority of Jesus of Nazareth, as the Son of God, and the benefits
from his sufferings and death as the sacrifice for sin, so that the Christian religion is
much more excellent and perfect than that of Moses. And the principal design
seems to be, to bring th e converted Hebrews forward in the knowledge of the
gospel, and thus to establish them in the Christian faith, and to prevent their
turning from it, against which they are earnestly warned. But while it contains
many things suitable to the Hebrews of early times, it also contains many which
can never cease to interest the church of God; for the knowledge of Jesus Christ is
the very marrow and kernel of all the Scriptures. The ceremonial law is full of
Christ, and all the gospel is full of Christ; the blessed lines of both Testaments meet
in Him; and how they both agree and sweetly unite in Jesus Christ, is the chief
object of the epistle to the Hebrews to discover.
Hebrews 1: (v. 1-3) The surpassing dignity of the Son of God in his Divine person,
and in his creating and mediatorial work.
(v. 4-14) And in his superiority to all the holy angels.
The surpassing dignity of the Son of God in his Divine person, and in his creating
and mediatorial work
(Heb 1:1 KJV) God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time
past unto the fathers by the prophets,
Heb 1:1: Verses 1-3. God spake to his ancient people at sundry times, through
successive generations, and in divers manners, as he thought proper; sometimes by
personal directions, sometimes by dreams, sometimes by visions, sometimes by
Divine influences on the minds of the prophets. The gospel revelation is excellent
above the former; in that it is a revelation which God has made by his Son. In
beholding the power, wisdom, and goodness of the Lord Jesus Christ, we behold
the power, wisdom, and goodness of the Father, John 14:7; the fulness of the
Godhead dwells, not typically, or in a figure, but really, in him. When, on the fall of
man, the world was breaking to pieces under the wrath and curse of God, the Son
of God, undertaking the work of redemption, s ustained it by his almighty power
and goodness. From the glory of the person and office of Christ, we proceed to the
glory of his grace. The glory of His person and nature, gave to his sufferings such
merit as was a full satisfaction to the honour of God, who suffered an infinite
injury and affront by the sins of men. We never can be thankful enough that God
has in so many ways, and with such increasing clearness, spoken to us fallen
sinners concerning salvation. That he should by himself cleanse us from ou r sins is
a wonder of love beyond our utmost powers of admiration, gratitude, and praise.
(Heb 1:2 KJV) Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he
hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
(Heb 1:3 KJV) Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image
of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by
himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on
high;
And in his superiority to all the holy angels
(Heb 1:4 KJV) Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by
inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
Heb 1:4: Verses 4-14. Many Jews had a superstitious or idolatrous respect for
angels, because they had received the law and other tidings of the Divine will by
their ministry. They looked upon them as mediators between God and men, and
some went so far as to pay them a kind of religious homage or worship. Thus it
was necessary that the apostle should insist, not only on Christ's being the Creator
of all things, and therefore of angels themselves, but as being the risen and exalted
Messiah in human nature, to whom angels, authorities, and powers are made
subject. To prove this, several passages are brought from the Old Testament. On
comparing what God there says of the angels, with what he says to Christ, the
inferiority of the angels to Christ plainly appea rs. Here is the office of the angels;
they are God's ministers or servants, to do his pleasure. But, how much greater
things are said of Christ by the Father! And let us own and honour him as God; for
if he had not been God, he had never done the Mediator' s work, and had never
worn the Mediator's crown. It is declared how Christ was qualified for the office of
Mediator, and how he was confirmed in it: he has the name Messiah from his being
anointed. Only as Man he has his fellows, and as anointed with the H oly Spirit;
but he is above all prophets, priests, and kings, that ever were employed in the
service of God on earth. Another passage of Scripture, Psalms 102:25-27, is
recited, in which the Almighty power of the Lord Jesus Christ is declared, both in
crea ting the world and in changing it. Christ will fold up this world as a garment,
not to be abused any longer, not to be used as it has been. As a sovereign, when
his garments of state are folded and put away, is a sovereign still, so our Lord,
when he has l aid aside the earth and heavens like a vesture, shall be still the same.
Let us not then set our hearts upon that which is not what we take it to be, and will
not be what it now is. Sin has made a great change in the world for the worse, and
Christ will ma ke a great change in it for the better. Let the thoughts of this make
us watchful, diligent, and desirous of that better world. The Saviour has done
much to make all men his friends, yet he has enemies. But they shall be made his
footstool, by humble submi ssion, or by utter destruction. Christ shall go on
conquering and to conquer. The most exalted angels are but ministering spirits,
mere servants of Christ, to execute his commands. The saints, at present, are heirs,
not yet come into possession. The angels minister to them in opposing the malice
and power of evil spirits, in protecting and keeping their bodies, instructing and
comforting their souls, under Christ and the Holy Ghost. Angels shall gather all the
saints together at the last day, when all whose hearts and hopes are set upon
perishing treasures and fading glories, will be driven from Christ's presence into
everlasting misery.
(Phil 2:9 KJV) Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a
name which is above every name:
(Phil 2:10 KJV) That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things
in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
God has made a major investment into the Church. He has made it available for
each member of the Body of Christ to have access to useage of the authority and
power invested in the name of Jesus Christ himself.
We have been given the availablity to use His name to bring our petitions to God
the Father.
We have been given the right to use His name in our praises and worship.
We have been given the right to use His name against our enemy.
When Jesus conquerored Satan before the very demons of hell and when he
conquerored death, hell and the grave, the Father gave to Him all power and
authority both in Heaven and in earth.
Christ's commission to his disciples
(Mat 28:16 KJV) Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a
mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
Mat 28:16: Verses 16-20. This evangelist passes over other appearances of Christ,
recorded by Luke and John, and hastens to the most solemn; one appointed before
his death, and after his resurrection. All that see the Lord Jesus with an eye of
faith, will worship him. Yet the faith of the sincere may be very weak and
wavering. But Christ gave such convincing proofs of his resurrection, as made
their faith to triumph over doubts. He now solemnly commissioned the apostles
and his ministers to go forth among all nations. The salvation they were to preach,
is a common salvation; whoever will, let him come, and take the benefit; all are
welcome to Christ Jesus. Christianity is the religion of a sinner who applies for
salvation from deserved wrath and from sin; h e applies to the mercy of the Father,
through the atonement of the incarnate Son, and by the sanctification of the Holy
Spirit, and gives up himself to be the worshipper and servant of God, as the Father,
Son, and Holy Ghost, three Persons but one God, in all his ordinances and
commandments. Baptism is an outward sign of that inward washing, or
sanctification of the Spirit, which seals and evidences the believer's justification.
Let us examine ourselves, whether we really possess the inward and spiritual gr
ace of a death unto sin, and a new birth unto righteousness, by which those who
were the children of wrath become the children of God. Believers shall have the
constant presence of their Lord always; all days, every day. There is no day, no
hour of the day , in which our Lord Jesus is not present with his churches and with
his ministers; if there were, in that day, that hour, they would be undone. The God
of Israel, the Saviour, is sometimes a God that hideth himself, but never a God at a
distance. To these precious words Amen is added. Even so, Lord Jesus, be thou
with us and all thy people; cause thy face to shine upon us, that thy way may be
known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.
(Mat 28:17 KJV) And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some
doubted.
(Mat 28:18 KJV) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is
given unto me in heaven and in earth.
(Mat 28:19 KJV) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
(Mat 28:20 KJV) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have
commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.
Amen.
When God gave Jesus all power He gave him all authority! That power and
authority has been given to us!
(John 14:13 KJV) And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do,
that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
(John 16:24 KJV) Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye
shall receive, that your joy may be full.
When we were born into the Family of God we were given the right and privilege
to use the family name! We were given the opportunity to has access to everything
that name represents and with that all the privileges and respect that the name
contains. Th at authority and power has been given to use so that we may bring
glory and thanksgiving to God the Father by asking in the name of Jesus.
All that Jesus was, His Name is! All that His Name is has been given to us as His
children. This is one of the most frightening principles of the Kingdom that Satan
does not want for you and I to understand. Satan is paralyzed, defeated and
stripped of all authority in the name of Jesus! This is why our study of the Names
of God is critical to victorious living in this world.
This is why the deity of Jesus is challenged! This is why people use the name of
Jesus in their cursings and blasphemies.
If Jesus Christ is not Deity then He is not Lord. If he is not Lord then his name
has no power or authority. If Jesus of Nazareth is not God manifested in the flesh
then He but a mere man without any power or special authority. If he is man then
everyt hing you believe in is absolutely without merit and in vain.
How The Name of Jesus Is Used
1) Salvation
(Mat 1:21 KJV) And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name
JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
(Mat 1:22 KJV) Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was
spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
(Mat 1:23 KJV) Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son,
and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with
us.
2) Baptism
(Acts 2:38 KJV) Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of
you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the
gift of the Holy Ghost.
3) Prayer
(John 14:13 KJV) And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the
Father may be glorified in the Son.
(John 14:14 KJV) If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
(John 14:15 KJV) If ye love me, keep my commandments.
4) Healing
Acts 3: (v. 1-11) A lame man healed by Peter and John.
(v. 12-26) Peter's address to the Jews.
A lame man healed by Peter and John
(Acts 3:1 KJV) Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour
of prayer, being the ninth hour.
Acts 3:1: Verses 1-11. The apostles and the first believers attended the temple
worship at the hours of prayer. Peter and John seem to have been led by a Divine
direction, to work a miracle on a man above forty years old, who had been a
cripple from his b irth. Peter, in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, bade him rise up
and walk. Thus, if we would attempt to good purpose the healing of men's souls,
we must go forth in the name and power of Jesus Christ, calling on helpless sinners
to arise and walk in the way of holiness, by faith in Him. How sweet the thought to
our souls, that in respect to all the crippled faculties of our fallen nature, the name
of Jesus Christ of Nazareth can make us whole! With what holy joy and rapture
shall we tread the holy courts, wh en God the Spirit causes us to enter therein by
his strength!
(Acts 3:2 KJV) And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried,
whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask
alms of them that entered into the temple;
(Acts 3:3 KJV) Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an
alms.
(Acts 3:4 KJV) And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on
us.
(Acts 3:5 KJV) And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of
them.
(Acts 3:6 KJV) Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have
give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
5) Casting out of demons
(Acts 16:18 KJV) And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned
and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of
her. And he came out the same hour.
(Mark 16:15 KJV) And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach
the gospel to every creature.
(Mark 16:16 KJV) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that
believeth not shall be damned.
(Mark 16:17 KJV) And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my
name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
(Mark 16:18 KJV) 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.
6) Giving of Thanks
(Eph 5:20 KJV) Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in
the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
7) Sanctification
(1 Cor 6:11 KJV) And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are
sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of
our God.
8) Confession
(Heb 13:15 KJV) By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God
continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
9) Anointing of the Sick
(James 5:14 KJV) Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church;
and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
10) Believing
(1 John 3:23 KJV) And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the
name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us
commandment.
What does the expression "in His Name" mean?
There are about one hundred and thirty verses that reveal to us our position and
legal standing as a believer when you study the phrases:
In Him
In Christ
In Whom
When we understand the expression of "In His Name" we will be
released into a new dynamic that we springboard you into power you have never
experienced before.
When we pray in Jesus' Name, we are taking the vicarious position of Christ here
on this earth. We are using His name, His authority to carry out His will on the
earth.
When we pray "Father, we ask this in the name of Jesus Christ" we
are praying representatively. He has given us the same authority as if he himself
were present in the natural speaking the words of authority. We have been given
the Divine Power of Attor ney.
This is why Jesus said that we would be hated for His Name's sake, Matthew
10:22.
(Mat 12:21 KJV) And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.
(Mat 18:5 KJV) And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth
me.
(Mat 18:20 KJV) For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there
am I in the midst of them.
(Mat 24:5 KJV) For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall
deceive many.
(Acts 4:16 KJV) Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable
miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and
we cannot deny it.
(Acts 4:17 KJV) But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly
threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
(Acts 4:18 KJV) And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at
all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
(Acts 4:26 KJV) The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered
together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
(Acts 4:27 KJV) For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast
anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of
Israel, were gathered together,
(Acts 4:28 KJV) For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined
before to be done.
(Acts 4:29 KJV) And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy
servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
(Acts 4:30 KJV) By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and
wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
(Acts 4:31 KJV) And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they
were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they
spake the word of God with boldness.
(Acts 5:28 KJV) Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not
teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and
intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
(Acts 5:29 KJV) Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought
to obey God rather than men.
(Acts 5:30 KJV) The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and
hanged on a tree.
(Acts 5:31 KJV) Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a
Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
(Acts 5:32 KJV) And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy
Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
(Acts 5:33 KJV) When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took
counsel to slay them.
The advice of Gamaliel, The council let the apostles go
(Acts 5:34 KJV) Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named
Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and
commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
Acts 5:34: Verses 34-42. The Lord still has all hearts in his hands, and sometimes
directs the prudence of the worldly wise, so as to restrain the persecutors.
Common sense tells us to be cautious, while experience and observation show that
the success of frauds in matters of religion has been very short. Reproach for
Christ is true preferment, as it makes us conformable to his pattern, and serviceable
to his interest. They rejoiced in it. If we suffer ill for doing well, provided we suffer
it well, and as we should, we ought to rejoice in that grace which enabled us so to
do. The apostles did not preach themselves, but Christ. This was the preaching that
most offended the priests. But it ought to be the constant business of gospel
ministers to preach Chris t: Christ, and him crucified; Christ, and him glorified;
nothing beside this, but what has reference to it. And whatever is our station or
rank in life, we should seek to make Him known, and to glorify his name.
(Acts 5:35 KJV) And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves
what ye intend to do as touching these men.
(Acts 5:36 KJV) For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be
somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who
was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to
nought.
(Acts 5:37 KJV) After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing,
and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as
obeyed him, were dispersed.
(Acts 5:38 KJV) And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them
alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
(Acts 5:39 KJV) But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be
found even to fight against God.
(Acts 5:40 KJV) And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles,
and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus,
and let them go.
(Acts 5:41 KJV) And they departed from the presence of the council,
rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
Paul was a vessel to be used by God the carry His Name before
Gentiles and Kings .
(Acts 9:15 KJV) But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen
vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of
Israel:
(Acts 9:16 KJV) For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my
name's sake.
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