In Jesus' Name

1 Tim 1:12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.

John 14:13-14 Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it

There is a general principle in Christian prayer that it is usually directed to the Father in the name of Jesus. Jesus himself taught the apostles that after his departure they would ask in his name, and their requests would be granted (John 14:13-14, 15:16, 16:23-24, 26). Jesus himself prayed to the Father and taught the disciples to do so (Matt. 6:9-13), and generally the apostles did so (Eph. 3:14-15 for example).

However, Jesus did speak of the disciples asking him (John 14:13-14) and Paul spoke of giving thanks to Christ (1 Tim. 1:12). We know that Stephen, in his last breath, spoke to the Lord Jesus (Acts 7:59-60) and that John in his excitement for Christ’s return did likewise in a prayerful expression (“come Lord Jesus,” Rev. 22:20). The apostles’ prayer in Acts 1:24-25 seems to have been directed to Jesus, whom they regularly called Lord, and who had the authority to choose an apostle. The apostles’ prayer in Acts 4:24-30 is directed to God, “Sovereign Lord.” So while it is generally appropriate to address prayers to the Father, especially public prayers, not all Christian prayers are so directed. Since Jesus is at the right hand of God (Acts 2:33), and there is no jealousy or competition but only perfect cooperation in the Godhead (John 17:10), there is no reason to doubt that the Lord Jesus and the Father are quite capable of understanding any and all of the requests and prayers of Christians.

The New Testament doesn’t provide scripted prayer examples of what it means to ask “in Jesus’ name.” The prayer in Acts 4:24-30 does mention Jesus’ name in the final recorded phrase, but this is in the context of a request for miracles rather than a formal closing expression for the prayer. The prayer of Paul in Eph. 3:14-21 also mentions the name of Jesus toward the end, in the context of praise, and not seemingly as a formula of closure for the prayer. In fact, if we consider other things that are to be done “in Jesus’ name” it seems clear that the phrase conveys the idea of doing things “by Jesus’ authority” rather than a verbal formula.

Disciples of Jesus were to do mighty deeds in the name of Jesus (Mark 16:17-18, Acts 4:30). We have examples of verbally invoking the name of Jesus to perform miracles (Acts 3:6, 16:18). We also have examples of miracles performed without a word (Acts 5:15-16, 19:11-12) and miracles in which the words spoken did not include the name of Jesus (Acts 14:8-9). Since the mighty deeds were to be done in the name of Jesus, those done silently or without verbal mention of his name must have been “in his name” even though there was no verbal formula. This is because “in his name” is a matter of being “in him,” a matter of having authority from him, rather than the technicality of a verbal formula (see 1 Pet. 4:14-16). It is always appropriate that the name of Jesus be mentioned when acting by his authority, but a Christian can act by his authority without necessarily mentioning his name. On the other hand, one who is not a Christian can mention Jesus’ name and still not be acting “in his name” (Acts 19:13-16, for example).

The New Testament instructs us to do many things in Jesus’ name, including welcoming a child (Matt. 18:5), assembling together (Matt. 18:20, 1 Cor. 5:4), being baptized (Acts 2:38, 10:48), giving thanks (Eph. 5:20), and indeed “whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17 NIV) These instructions cannot be about stating a particular formula when doing each of these things, although again it is always good to affirm the name of Jesus, but are about doing things because we ourselves as Christians bear the name of Christ and act in his name.

For the sake of recognition and understanding, it is always appropriate that a public prayer should mention the name of Jesus, invoking his authority for all to hear. Not because God needs to hear it, but because those hearing the prayer may need to hear it. Likewise, it is always appropriate that a public prayer be concluded with an “amen” so that those who hear understand that the prayer is concluded. This is not a rule or law, but an appropriate device for concluding public prayer. Since the Lord “knows those who are his” (2 Tim. 2:19) and we have a living way of access to the throne of God by the blood of Jesus (Heb. 10:19-22) telling God that we come in Jesus’ name is not needed, but sometimes telling men that we have approached God in Jesus’ name is important.

Since the Lord “knows those who are his” and we have one who speaks to the Father in our behalf (1 John 2:1) and the Holy Spirit himself presents needs we can’t even verbalize to the Father (Rom. 8:26), we should, as Hebrews 10:19-22 urges, approach the throne with confidence and full assurance. It is not a verbal formula, but God’s grace in Christ and the working of the Holy Spirit that makes this possible.

Jesus told his disciples that those who do what he commands are his friends (John 15:13-15). We are also called his brothers (Heb. 2:11) and children (Heb. 2:13). Friends, brothers, and children can speak to their friend, brother, or parent in all circumstances, without needing a formula or formality. Conversing with a friend can be very free and move quickly from topic to topic, since friends know one another. Conversations can be interrupted and resumed easily. Surely the Lord is not going to be confused or offended where even a human friend could handle such conversations. When there are guests, additional formality may be called for in a family, and so also with public prayer when others hear, but in personal intimacy direct speech is usually appropriate. This is the sort of approach Stephen made to Christ as he was being stoned, brief and urgent. It is also the sort of prayer Nehemiah raised silently to God when before the king (Neh. 2:4-5). Prayer, as personal conversation with the Father or with Jesus, does not have to be aloud or formal (1 Sam. 1:13, 1 Cor. 14:28). Since this is the case, moments of conversation with God are possible, and really commanded (pray without ceasing, 1 Thess. 5:17; pray in the Spirit on all occasions, Eph. 6:18). The prayer life Paul commanded only makes sense if we can talk to God anytime, anywhere, without formality, and without supposing that an interruption (precluding a closing formality) would invalidate our prayer. A Christian saying “thank you, Lord” or “Lord, save me” will be heard by God. God hears his people when they speak (Mal. 3:16) and knows the very thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb. 4:12-13, Matt. 9:4). Christians can and should speak to God with a thought, when driving down the road or lying down in bed, and our intent should be to do “all things” in the name of Jesus, which calls for a way of life under his authority, and not just a formal phrase imposed upon public prayers.

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

A God Fashioned Body

Cumberland Heights church of Christ

Preacher Doug Downs gives us a glimpse into the 1st century church congregations in the book of Acts penned by the disciple, Luke the physician. Some of the points covered are:

• Very first gospel sermon by Apostle Peter after being filled with the Holy Spirit Jesus promised.

• Some of their questions may have been: How are we going to live, how are we going to act, what are we going to talk about, what’s important, how do we deal with moral situations, Whats Gods view on marriage, view on family, view on children? How should we worship, what do we do with our free time, how do I use my money, what about my language, how do I treat other people, what about the Gentiles - What does God expect of us?

• How the very first converts into Christ were just Christians.
• The logistics of baptizing and fellowshiping 3,000 people that first day.
• The purity of the Lords church in the beginning.
• How did these first converts prepare themselves to go back home and face the world?
• How easy it is to become a Christian.
• How the first converts realized salvation is in the Cross and the blood, not by works or church.
• How the Jewish hearers responded to Peters sermon.
• Why did God choose the command to be baptized in the name of Jesus?
• Did Peter preach that making a decision for Jesus in ones heart and mind is Gods way?
• The hearers witnessing of the Holy Spirit and the promise of God to gift Him to those who repented and were baptized into Christ.
• The uncomplicated simplicity and togetherness of the Lords church.
• Is our congregations today as pure and simplistic as the first churches, and should they be?

You Must Be Born Again

Are you rejecting the council of God against yourself? Being born again is a birth that comes only once from God and it is God who gives it. God is the one who grants it, God is the one who permits it, God is the one who authorizes it. He gives us the right to take the action which is the meaning of “Gave right to” (John 1:12).

"Born Again Pt. 3" - "It Is Written" #296-14 from Glendale Church on Vimeo.

Further reading here

Every Second, Every Minute, Every Day is Jesus Birth

Click image to find out.

Have You Seen Gods Glory?

What is blocking your view?

One of the best-known verses in the Bible is Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” The Bible clearly tells us that there is a great separation between man and God. Since the Fall in Genesis 3, man has suffered both physical and spiritual death under God’s judgment.

We are now separated from God’s glory to the degree that no man can even see the full glory of God and live (Exodus 33:20). In the presence of a holy God, impurity is consumed (Hebrews 12:29).

Yet God the Father, in the wonder of His mercy and grace, has allowed us to see His glory by gazing directly upon the Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus, who is fully God and fully man, displayed all the wonder of God in human form. While this is not easy to comprehend, we can all thank God for this truth. Through His incarnation Christ became the once-for-all sacrifice to atone for man’s sin and reconcile us to God.

The Bible tells us that as we know the Son, we know the Father. Consider three amazing passages about the Son.

Paul explains in Colossians 1:15–16, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.”

Later Paul writes, “In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Colossians 2:9). In response to His disciple Philip’s request, “Show us the Father,” Jesus replied, “He who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:8–9).

If we want to see God’s glory, we must view it through Jesus Christ. If we want to see the Father’s glory, we must see it through the Son. In Jesus we see all of God’s grace, holiness, wisdom, creative power, love, justice, and mercy. While we do not see physical glory in His fleshly human body, which was as breakable as ours, we do see all the glory of God’s character reflected in the person and works of Christ.

When you look through a telescope, you look through two lenses. The objective lens at the big end of the telescope captures light from vast and distant objects and brings it into focus. Then the small eyepiece at your end of the telescope converts the image into a form your eyes can comprehend. God’s glory is like this. Christ brings into focus the brightness of the Father’s full glory, and now His Word, the Bible, is our eyepiece through which we see Christ.

This makes the Bible immensely important. If our vision of God’s glory relies on our ability to see Christ through His Word, any scratch, crack, or obstruction on this eyepiece will distort our view of God’s glory. In less abstract terms, any doubts cast upon the authority of Scripture, its infallibility, or its inerrancy in any part, invariably places doubt on the glory of both the Son, who is the focus of Scripture, and the Father.

Which words of Scripture are important in showing us the Son? John 1 tells us that Jesus is the Word, that He has been since the beginning, and that the Word created everything. So from the very first verses in Genesis, we are reading about the Son.

All Scripture originated from and points to God’s Son. So we must be very careful to ensure that we embrace all Scripture as our starting point in every area of our thinking, and keep every inch of this vital eyepiece clean and free of scratches.

When we start with God’s Word, we are able to look through the telescope and view all aspects of the world correctly, according to God’s glory. For example, when we look through the lens of Scripture at the amazing designs in nature, we see the Son’s amazing glory in creation.

HUMAN PHILOSOPHIES HAVE OBSCURED THE CLEAR VIEW OF GOD’S GLORY THAT THE WHOLE WORLD NEEDS TO SEE.

When we examine the curse of sin through the lens of Scripture and the illumination of the Son, we see the Father’s glory in judgment. Only by looking through the first lens (the Bible) can we see the truth of Christ, and only by looking through the second lens (Christ) can we see the Father’s glory. On the other hand, if we try to see God’s glory without looking through both the eyepiece and the objective lens, we will fail.

The church’s attempts to reinterpret Scripture based on modern human philosophies, such as evolution over millions of years, have clouded the eyepiece, causing many to doubt the Bible’s message about Jesus. This compromise has obscured the world’s view of God’s glory. This is a tragedy because the biblical view of Jesus Christ has eternal, life-and-death consequences.

In these last days it is as important as ever for Christians to be well-grounded in biblical thinking. The church needs lens cleaners because lost and needy sinners desperately need to hear the pure, unobstructed gospel of Jesus Christ.

Do You Want To Be Lost? You'll Have To Work At It.

Acts 16:25-34

The Philippian jailer conversion.

“It takes a huge effort to avoid being saved.” The following are 3 ways non-Christians work so they can hold their place and not do what the Philippian jailer did to be baptized into Jesus Christ.

1. You will need to throw away your watch. Don’t think about time and how your life is ticking away from getting closer to God. Nobody knows how many ticks one gets. Luke 12:13-21. Most people think our last day comes too fast. If we want to be lost keep looking at your time and wait. The more one waits the closer we come to what? The end! Be urgent to obey God immediately. Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey Genesis 22:3. When we know the right thing to do, when do we do it? Immediately. The longer you delay you may talk yourself out of it. When you become a Christian you recognize Jesus Christ as the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. He is sovereign in your life. No one receives an order from the King, looks at it and says, I’m not going to do that. If I want to be lost I can’t be taking all this effort thinking like this.
2. If you’re going to work at being lost you need to become a church Inspector. What is the number one excuse that insulates people from the call of the gospel? The church is full of hypocrites. Non Christian’s love this and feel so good to say it – the church is full of hypocrites. It gives them a get out of hell free card. I don’t need to become a Christian or go to church because it’s full of hypocrites. News Flash – Hypocrites are everywhere in life. Doctors, Bankers, Lawyers, everyday normal people, there are hypocrites in every walk of life – but when we go to church… Ah ha, that’s totally and completely different. Suddenly when there are hypocrites claiming to be part of the body of Christ, that means we can’t have any part of it. Look at Luke 12:56. Jesus regularly roasted hypocrites. If your lost and want to stay lost, you have to ignore the inconsistencies of hypocrisy that keeps you from doing business, or going places, or enjoying a sporting event. You will have to act like one bad apple ruins the whole barrel. You will have to put your pretend face on every day. And if there is one bad Christian then you can't be part of it because one bad Christian is faking it, they are all faking it. Christians, they are all hypocrites. You can do all this church inspection if you are determined to be lost!
3. You will have to do some pretending to be lost. You will have to pretend that the sole purpose of life is to have a good time. Nothing under the sun is really new. Remember Ananias and Saphira in Acts chapter 2? They pretended and lost their lives before the elders! Solomon believed life was all about fun until he summed up life having everything at his disposal - Ecclesiastes 2:1-11. He tried to make life good and fun, but it didn’t work. If anyone in history could have made life about having fun to the fullest, King Solomon was the man. It didn’t satisfy, in fact it made him a fool (v.15). Pleasure does have a role (V.24), but it is not the anchor of life. Solomon figured this out. If your not a Christian trying to fill your life with all kinds of fun, you will find some difficult times with that. Why? When you go to a funeral, suddenly it becomes apparent that fun is not the end of all things. But if we determine not to become a Christian, we really need to think about that. If your going to have long thoughts about the purpose of life and its meaning, you better put that out of your mind if you aren’t going to become a Christian. Continue working hard to be lost, go out and have fun.

What about this Christian thing? Getting baptized, living right, doing what the Lord wants me to do, oh you know, its too much. Can’t do all of that. Have you ever thought about how much you are doing so you can hold the Lord out of your life pushing Him at arms length?

Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to Me all of you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Enjoy this Podcast lesson on how to work at being lost.

Christians are in Christ. Are you a Christian?

Bible study:

Going to church does not make you a Christian; nor does saying a prayer, telling yourself that you are, or trying to be a decent person. You can only be a Christian if Christ is in you, which can be tested and proven according to the scriptures.

Rom. 6:23; Rom. 8:1; 1 Cor. 1:2; 15:22; Eph. 1:3; 1 Jn. 5:11 - We must be in Christ to be saved.

Acts 4:10-12; 2 Tim. 2:10 - Salvation is in Jesus.

Rom. 6:3; Gal. 3:27 - We gain entrance into Christ through baptism, we literally "put Him on." Since we must be in Christ to be saved, we in faith must be baptized into Christ to be saved through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Rom. 3:24 - Redemption is in Christ.

Rom. 6:11 - We are alive to God in Christ.

Rom. 6:23 - Eternal life is in Christ.

Rom. 8:1 - There is no condemnation in Christ.

Rom. 8:2 - The law of the Spirit of life is in Christ; it frees us from the law of sin and death. Only people in Christ are free from the law of sin and death.

Rom. 8:39 - God's love is in Christ.

Rom. 12:5 - We are one body in Christ (cf. Eph. 4:4).

1 Cor. 1:2 - We are sanctified in Christ.

1 Cor. 1:27-31 - God saves men in Christ so that no one can glory in the flesh. Those who are saved can only glory in Christ.

1 Cor. 4:10; Col. 2:3 - We are wise in Christ.

1 Cor. 15:19 - Hope is in Christ. We have hope of eternal life (Tit. 3:7).

1 Cor. 15:22 - We are made alive in Christ.

2 Cor. 1:21 - God establishes us in Christ.

2 Cor. 2:14 - God leads us in triumph, in Christ.

2 Cor. 3:14 - The veil is removed in Christ.

2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15 - We are a new creation in Christ.

Gal. 1:22; 1 Th. 2:14 - Local churches are in Christ. A local church is composed of people who are in Christ (i.e., those who are Christians).

Gal. 2:4 - Liberty is in Christ.

The law of Christ (Gal. 6:2) is the perfect law of liberty (Jas. 1:25).

Jesus said that we will be judged by His words (Jn. 12:48). And, James said that we will be judged by the law of liberty (Jas. 1:25; 2:12). Therefore, the words of Christ (spoken by Himself or through His apostles) constitute the law of liberty (cf. Gal. 6:2; 2 Jn. 1:9). The law of Christ and the law of liberty are synonymous.

Gal. 2:16 - We are justified by faith in Christ.

Gal. 3:14 - Abraham's blessing is in Christ.

Gal. 3:17 - God's covenant was confirmed in Christ before the Mosaic Law was given to Israel.

Gal. 3:26 - We are sons of God through faith in Christ.

Eph. 1:1 - The faithful are in Christ.

Eph. 1:3 - Every spiritual blessing is in Christ.

Eph. 2:10 - Christians are God's workmanship created in Christ for good works.

Eph. 3:6 - Gentiles are fellow heirs in Christ, partakers of God's promise in Christ through the gospel.

Eph. 3:11 - God accomplished His eternal purpose in Christ.

Phil. 1:1 - The saints are in Christ.

Phil. 3:3; 4:4 - Rejoicing is in Christ.

Phil. 3:14 - The prize (salvation) is in Christ.

Col. 1:2 - Saints and faithful brethren are in Christ.

Col. 1:28 - We are perfect in Christ.

Col. 2:3 - All the treasure of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ.

Col. 2:6 - We walk in Christ.

Col. 2:7 - We are rooted and built up in Christ.

Col. 2:9 - In Christ dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.

Col. 2:10 - We are complete in Christ.

Col. 2:11 - We are spiritually circumcised by Christ.

Col. 2:12 - We are buried (died), and raised (alive) with Christ through the working of God at the point of baptism by immersion in water. Not before.

1 Th. 1:3 - Our work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope are in Christ.

1 Th. 4:16 - The dead in Christ will rise first.

1 Tim. 1:14 - Abundant grace with faith and love are in Christ.

1 Tim. 2:7 - Truth is in Christ.

2 Tim. 1:1 - The promise of life is in Christ.

2 Tim. 1:13 - Faith and love are in Christ.

Rom. 3:24; 2 Tim. 2:1 - Grace is in Christ.

2 Tim. 2:10 - Salvation is in Christ (cf. Acts 4:12).

2 Tim. 3:12 - All who desire to live godly in Christ will suffer persecution.

Phil. 6 - Every good thing is in Christ.

Phil. 8 - Boldness is in Christ.

1 Pet. 3:16 - Good conduct is in Christ.

1 Jn. 5:11 - Life is in Christ.

1 Jn. 5:20 - Christians are in Christ.

Jude 1:1 - Christians are preserved in Christ.

Are You A Christian?