IN MY NAME
Evangelist Mark narrates to us how Jesus commissioned his apostles by authorizing them to perform tasks that are impossible with us men without such empowerment. Marks account of this event reads: He said to them, Go into all the World and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well (Mk 16:15-18 NIV).
Truth is nobody can lawfully cede to another what he or she does not own. In keeping with this universal principle Christ grants apostles authority because he himself has authority. However, to say that Jesus has authority is indeed to say nothing new, but to repeat what is accepted as beyond dispute to his disciples. For as a teacher his authority was noticed as early as when he first began to publicly teach his audience. Matthew in connection to this truth writes: When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law (Matt. 7:28-29). Whats new, however, is the nature and magnitude of that authority. Remarkably, he communicates it to those mere men like me and you.
Accordingly, Christs apostles are, now forward, to overcome demons, language and racial barriers, snakes, poison, diverse disease and sickness, all because of his extendable nature of authority. We call such bestowal of authority unprecedented because we human beings do not possess powers that can be endowed upon another. Consequently, Christs mode for imparting his apostles this authority deserves our particular notice: he simple spoke and it took effect. As such, it is imperative therefore, that we carefully observe the main point upon which this empowerment depends on, namely; the disciples are to exercise this authority in His, and we emphasize, His Name alone. There is and can be No Other Name used! In other words, the apostles are not allowed to invoke another name besides Christs in their exercise of this religious authority. Those who seek additional name rebel against him. We believe Scripture is crystal clear regards this truth. Put as it is written: Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. (Acts. 4:12).
Every genuine Christians will in light of this scripture resist the temptation to compromise Christs non negotiable name. Two key evidences justify this doctrinal stance. First, Christ earned his pre-eminent name. He merited it when he became human like one of us. The apostle Pauls teaching regarding this stance states: Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in the very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and become obedient to deatheven death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on the earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father (Phil2:5-11).
Second, today we live in a masterly disguised anti Christ Christian environment where His name alone which his apostles relied on for their power is considered by some Christians to be no longer sufficient for their contemporary religious activities. In their quest for a booster, these Christians have subjected Christs well deserved pre-eminence in the churches to subtle rival power by what they often claimed to be the Spirits presence amidst them. The discerning Christian can perceive the more dominant role usually assigned the Spirits activities at the expense of Christs preeminent name among these Christian groups, in our view.
Yet, Scriptures continue to remind us that only in his name can Christians receive and exercise power from God. In this respect, we find preserved for us an instance where the apostles demonstrated to us their valuation and use of Christs name. It reads: One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayerat three in the afternoon. Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put everyday to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, Look at us! So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk. Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the mans feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. (Acts 3:1-10).
Apostles used the name Jesus Christ of Nazareth, as a synonym for power over any disease. The apostles could have commanded the lame man to walk in the name of the Father, but they didnt. Likewise, they would have opted for the name of John the Baptist, King David, Ahab, or any of the prophets, but they refused deliberately. What if they had commanded the lame man to walk in the name of the Holy Spirit? We believe its because they obeyed Christs instruction concerning the use of his unique name that Christ honored their words. So they healed the lame man.
In healing the lame man in his name, apostles differentiate Jesus from other religious leaders for us. Prophets and other world religious leaders spoke in the name of their God. If Jesus were one among these religious leaders he would have authorized his apostles in the name of God. But he didnt. Jesus knew his uniqueness and he expresses it in commissioning his apostles in his name. The apostles in turn knew this essential distinctive about him and they convey their awareness of his powers in this miracle to us.
Christs preeminence demands from the genuine Christian absolute faith in; and constant embrace of His unique name alone. Jesus alone is the savior of the world. He alone is the way to the Father. Salvation is found only in his name there is no other name. He is the head of his Church. The issue at stake is whether you and I are keeping up with this doctrinal demand.
Onwukwe A. Kanu is the Minister of Altar Church of Christ. Email:tamgbo@aol.com