0336. The Name That Maketh Strong

The Name That Maketh Strong

"And His name through faith in His name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by Him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all" (Act_3:16).

1. The key verse presents to us the fact that Jesus Christ still works. He wrought many mighty deeds when on earth, but had He died and remained in the tomb, He would have rested from His labors. However, Jesus Christ came forth from the tomb. Therefore, He still works.

The Book of Acts begins thus: "The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after that He through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the Apostles whom He had chosen." This passage describes our Lord as working and teaching after His death and resurrection and until His ascension. The healing of the lame man and the whole of Acts shows that Christ still lives and still works.

2. In the case of the lame man, the cure was brought about by his faith in Jesus Christ. Peter said, "And His name through faith in His name hath made this man strong." The name of Jesus Christ stands for His character and His work. It was the Christ of Calvary’s Cross, the Christ of the empty tomb and the Christ of the Father’s right hand Who healed the lame man. "The people who know Thy name will be strong and put their trust in Thee."

His name is called Jesus, because He is a Saviour Who saves His people from their sins. His name is called Lord, because He was raised from the dead and is exalted at the right hand of the Father. His name is called Christ because He is the anointed of the Father, Who will soon be coming in the clouds of the Heavens.

3. It was faith in this name which gave the lame man his perfect soundness before them all. Let us, for a moment, place the emphasis on the word faith. The lame man had believed with a faith, unwavering and strong. Let not the doubting one think that he will receive anything of the Lord. It was "by faith Abel," and "by faith Enoch," and "by faith Noah," and "by faith Abraham," and "by faith Sarah," and "by faith Moses," etc.

The one who comes to God, "must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR