“In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth”
In the context of contemporary culture, saying the words, “In the name of Jesus Christ,” may tend to conjure up images of horror movie exorcisms rather than healing. We don’t usually hear Christian Scientists approach a patient with the cry, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, I declare you well!” But why not? Jesus said we could do it.
In John 14:13, 14, he’s recorded as telling his followers, “Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” The disciples took that very literally. At the temple called Beautiful, Peter healed a lame man with the words, “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6).
So it worked for the disciples. If we try it today, will it work for us? Well, of course, it’s not the mere words “in the name of Christ” that do the work. We need to understand the truth behind those words, as the disciples did.
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