Jesus' Name
A. Two tendencies that humans have
1) To glorify someone or something and to praise them (11,12)
11 While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade.
12 When Peter saw this, he said to them: "Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk.
2) To act without fully comprehending and to do things that cannot be undone (13,14)
13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go.
14 You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you.
B. How to live right despite our tendencies
1) Know that the one who is truly just and pure lives (15)
15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. (I Cor. 15:20-23)
2) Have faith through Jesus (16)
16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.
Summary
We sometimes forget the God who offers to help and guide us, turning instead to other people or things, and do terrible things that cannot be undone. Despite this human tendency, we can live good lives to the end. This is because the one who is purer and more just than any other, lives among us. He gives us strength and helps us to believe. Let us continue to walk with Jesus Christ.
For Discussion
1) Why are we taught to have faith in Jesus' name instead of just faith in Jesus?
2) What is faith in Jesus like?