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The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem,with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, ‘By what power or by what name did you do this?’ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, ‘Rulers of the people and elders, if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead.This Jesus is “the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone.” There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.’ (Acts 4: 1-12)
Good day, dear Reader! I trust this finds you well and may all the blessings God has in store for you begin with this devotional or at least open the doors for those.
There is power in knowing names. People respond better when you call them by name. If you're in a business where you call on customers, it helps your business to know people's names. I once introduced a pastor to a church where there were about twelve people present (sounds Biblical right?), and by the time each person had introduced themselves, the pastor went around the room, and greeted each person by their name. Needless to say, they were impressed.
Speaking of impressed, today's passage has a list of names of people who were NOT impressed with what was going on in their holy space. Annas, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, all members of the high-priestly family, the powers-that-be at First Church Jerusalem, and all very upset that healing had taken place within their temple. They arrested Peter and John for having healed a man who had been lame for over forty years. It seems they were more content seeing this man by the side of the entrance to the temple begging for money. Healing was something that did not happen inside or outside the temple. Their first question asks, "By what power or by what name did you do this?" Give them credit for believing that by some names wonders could be done. And give Peter boldness points for his Spirit-filled response: "This man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth..." He states he was crucified by them, but raised from the dead by God, and further, Jesus is the cornerstone that was rejected by you. And, Peter adds, "There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved." There was no salvation happening in their holy space either we must assume.
What we the Church should know and proclaim, along with our acts of love, is that in Christ Jesus, we can find salvation; that right relationship we should have with God, through which we find healing and wholeness for our needs. We should not allow happen to our local churches what had happened to the temple. It had become a very exclusive club with strict membership rules and dues, and holy events such as one finding peace in Christ and healing through God were no longer happening nor allowed. People knew the motions and they went through them faithfully; power and purpose beyond that was nonexistent. We should still offer the power and purpose of Jesus Christ to all people; to set free, to bring fullness and meaning into our lives, and to set us on a path that blesses God and all of God's people; all in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
PRAYER: Loving God, bless and protect this dear reader and their loved ones. Remind us again of Who Jesus is, and what He offers to us. May we proudly proclaim and share the name above all names with those who have not yet come to know Him; and it is in His name that we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Say the name of Jesus today in all you say, think, and do!
Eradio Valverde
