Verse Connect Session 7 - Understanding the Name Above All Names | ACTS 3 Part 2

Summary of the Key Points
The sermon can be broken down into several key sections:

1. Recap: The Exalted Name of Jesus

Jesus vs. Adonai: The teaching recaps a previous lesson that distinguished between the name "Jesus" (given at birth, meaning "Savior") and the exalted name "Adonai" (or "Kurios," meaning "Lord") which was given to Him after His obedience, humility, and resurrection. This name is above all other names.

Universal Authority: Every being in heaven, on earth, and under the earth must bow to this name. It represents the fullness of God's authority delegated to Christ.

2. What Happens When We Come in That Name
The speaker outlines the spiritual and physical implications of using Jesus's name rightly.

Spiritually:

Access to God: We can approach God's presence with boldness and without guilt because of Jesus's sacrifice (Hebrews 10:19-22).

Operate Under Christ's Authority: Believers have been delegated Christ's authority to enact change and "dictate what happens" on earth according to God's will (Luke 10:17, Mark 16:17).

Our Identity is Known: Spiritual beings recognize those who carry and operate under the authority of Jesus's name (Acts 19:15).

Prayers are Heard on Christ's Merit: Our prayers are effective not based on our own righteousness but on the merit of Jesus (1 John 5:14).

Refuge in God's Character: The name is a strong tower and a place of safety (Proverbs 18:10).

Physically:

Healing is Invoked: God's power, invoked in faith and according to His will through the name of Jesus, brings physical healing.

Prayers Change Circumstances: Prayer aligned with God's will and offered in Jesus's authority can alter physical realities (e.g., the earthquake in Acts 16:25-26).

Service Reflects His Love: Any act of service done "in the name of Jesus" will inherently reflect His love and character, making it a practical lifestyle (Colossians 3:17).

3. How to Use the Name of Jesus (The Requirements)
This is the practical application section, warning against misuse and outlining the prerequisites for effective use.

Requires Faith, Not Incantation: Using the name is not a magical chant to be repeated. It requires faith—a confident expectation that heaven will respond to the authority invoked. Saying it once with faith is enough (Acts 3:16, James 1:6).

Requires Alignment with God's Will: The name cannot be used as a "magic wand" for selfish desires. Prayers must be aligned with what God desires. The speaker advises finding at least three scriptures to act as "witnesses" confirming that a request is God's will.

Requires Relationship: This is the most critical point. Effective use of the name stems from a deep, abiding relationship with Christ (John 15:5-7). It's about knowing the person behind the name, not just using the name as a tool. The story of the seven sons of Sceva (Acts 19:13-16) is used as a warning: using the name without a relationship is dangerous and ineffective.

Requires Humility and Purpose: The user must be humble enough to submit to God's will, even when it differs from their own desires. The ultimate purpose for using the name must always be to advance God's kingdom and bring Him glory, not to fulfill personal ambition.

4. Conclusion & Application to Acts Chapter 3
The speaker quickly applies these principles to the healing of the lame man in Acts 3.

See the Real Need: Like Peter and John, believers must be spiritually attuned to see beyond surface-level requests (e.g., money) to the deeper need God wants to meet (e.g., healing and salvation).

Be the Catalyst: Miracles happen to point people to Christ. When God moves, believers must "seize the moment" to preach the gospel, as Peter did.

Be Ready to Explain: The study ends with a charge for believers to be ready to: 1) Explain who Jesus is, 2) Explain the need for Him, 3) Present what He has done, 4) Explain how to respond to Him, 5) Explain the cost and joy of following Him, and 6) Invite people into the kingdom.

In essence, the sermon teaches that the name of Jesus is not a formula but a key to relational authority. Its power is unlocked not by repetition, but by faith, obedience, a deep personal relationship with Christ, and a heart aligned with the purpose of glorifying God.


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Verse Connect Bible Study Group
Teacher: Innocent B. Maluka