Day 27 — Acts 3—The Power in His Name

“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” — Acts 4:12 (ESV)
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There is a simple song many of us learned long ago: “His Name is Wonderful; His Name is Wonderful; Jesus my Lord.” Those words capture a profound biblical truth. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible points to one Person—one Messiah, one Savior, one Name. That Name is Jesus. Acts chapter 3 is no exception. Its focus is not on a method, a miracle worker, or a movement, but on the Name of Jesus—the Name above every name.

The apostle Peter makes this unmistakably clear. When a lame man is healed at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, Peter quickly redirects the crowd’s attention. He refuses personal credit. He does not attribute the miracle to faith, effort, or even compassion alone. Instead, he declares plainly, “By faith in his name, his name has made this man strong” (Acts 3:16). The power was not in Peter. The power was in the Name.

The New Testament consistently exalts the Name of Jesus. Paul writes in Philippians 2:9–11 that God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the Name that is above every name, so that every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. This is not poetic exaggeration—it is eternal reality. One day, every being in heaven, on earth, and under the earth will acknowledge His authority. The only question is whether that confession comes now in faith, or later in judgment.

To speak or act in the Name of Jesus is not to recite a formula. It is to act under His authority, aligned with His will, for His glory. When we pray in His Name, we are not attaching a religious phrase to the end of a request; we are submitting our desires to His character, purposes, and power. To minister in His Name is to represent Him—to speak and act as those who belong to Him.

Jesus Himself made this clear after His resurrection: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18). On the basis of that authority, He sends His followers into the world to make disciples. The mission of the church flows directly from the authority of Christ. We go not in our strength, but in His Name.

In Acts 3, God uses something very simple to create a powerful moment of witness: one changed life. At Pentecost, the sound of a rushing wind drew a massive crowd. Here, it is the visible transformation of a man who had been lame from birth. People recognized him. They had passed him daily. Now they saw him walking, leaping, and praising God. The undeniable change opened the door for Peter to preach Christ—and about two thousand people believed.

There is an important principle here. God often works through personal obedience before public harvest. Peter did not wake up that morning planning a crusade. He simply responded to the need in front of him. He reached one man in the Name of Jesus, and God multiplied the impact. When we are faithful with the individual, God entrusts us with more.

This challenges us to think carefully about our own lives. Who are you praying for right now? Who has God placed in your circle—your family, your workplace, your school, your neighborhood? Evangelism is not an abstract idea; it is deeply relational. God has called you to influence others with the love of Christ, and to share the hope that is found only in the Name of Jesus.

Peter’s words to the lame man are striking in their simplicity: “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6). Peter did not offer what he lacked. He offered what he possessed. And what he possessed was faith in the Name of Jesus.

This raises an important question for us: What do we believe we truly have to offer the world? The church is sometimes tempted to rely on resources, programs, or influence. While those things may have value, they are not the source of power. What the world ultimately needs is not what we can produce—it is who we can proclaim.

The miracle in Acts 3 also reminds us that the gospel addresses the whole person. The man was physically healed, but Peter did not stop there. He moved quickly to speak about repentance, forgiveness, and restoration. The goal was not amazement, but salvation. Miracles may draw attention, but only the message of Jesus transforms hearts.

This leads us to examine our own witness. Do we live in such a way that others see the difference Christ has made? Are we giving so much glory to Jesus that people are drawn not to us, but to Him? The early believers were not trying to build personal platforms. They were lifting up the Name of Jesus, trusting God to do the work.

Acts 3 also presses us toward courage. To speak the Name of Jesus publicly was not safe or convenient. It brought opposition. Yet the apostles could not remain silent. They had seen the risen Christ. They had experienced His power. And they were convinced that “everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).

You are the minister where God has placed you. You may never stand in a pulpit, but you stand every day in places where God intends to use you. Your life and your lips are both part of your calling. As Peter later says, “there is no other name”. That truth compels us to speak.

So let us ask ourselves honestly: Are we living in a way that others desire to imitate? Are we pointing consistently to Jesus? Are we sharing His Name so that everyone hears—not just with words, but with lives that reflect His grace and power?

The way forward is not complicated. It is Christ-centered. Lift up the Name of Jesus. Trust in His authority. Be faithful with the individual. And leave the results with God.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, we confess that Your Name is wonderful, powerful, and above every other name. Forgive us for the times we have relied on ourselves instead of trusting fully in You. Fill us with boldness to speak Your Name and humility to give You all the glory. Open our eyes to the people You have placed in our lives, and give us courage to share the hope found only in You. May our lives reflect Your grace so clearly that others are drawn to follow You. We ask this in the powerful Name of Jesus. Amen.

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