The Name

 

Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged.Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

What’s in a name? Well, according to Luke, the Name and Jesus are one in the same. To take my understanding farther, I find it is crucial to observe how the Biblical writers wrote about and understood concepts. The truth is that the bible was written for us, not too us. Gathering observations about what the writer and reader may think is very important to take your Bible study to the next level. In this passage, one observation will tell you what is in a name.

“They had been worth of suffering disgrace for the Name.” You should observe that Luke uses “the Name” and Jesus in an interchangeable way. Jesus is the revealer of God Himself. The Apostle Paul said in Romans 10:13 that “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” The Name is salvation. Much more than few letters, there is deep theological significance being communicated. The very essence of our saving Lord is woven into His name!

DO THIS TODAY: Praise Jesus as the divine Name.