IT IS COMMON in evangelical circles to hear people, perhaps even ourselves, call upon our heavenly Father, recite our litany of prayer requests, whatever they may be, and end by saying “in the name of Jesus.” It is equally common that we do so in a rather lackluster fashion, separated from fervency by unbelieving belief—so we don’t ask a serious prayer. It may be a sincere prayer, but a safe one; God may answer, or he may not, but whether his answer is ‘yes’ or ‘no’ will likely not make much of a difference in our world, because we’ve only timidly asked for something that we have protected outside of the inner circle of our hopes. Why ask him for a miracle, only to be disappointed?
Peter and John were arrested by the temple guard on order of Ananias and Caiaphas and other priests of the Sanhedrin Council—the very same men who had tried Jesus on false charges and brought about his crucifixion. The two apostles had earlier been together at the Beautiful Gate into the city of Jerusalem, where Peter had boldly spoken the words and given the command for a beggar, lame since birth, to be healed—by the power in Jesus’ name. “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” (Acts 3:6c)
In the months after Jesus’ death and resurrection, his legend grew immensely and powerfully throughout the city, the very thing the Council had feared immediately after his brutal public crucifixion. Now, the city was abuzz with this latest story of a miraculous healing directly connected to his name. Now, these same men want to quash any possible uprising propelled by this most recent event.
As the interrogation begins, the Council is in a tight spot—everyone knows of this miracle. The lame man was well known, and his healing had been witnessed by too many people to try to simply let it quietly fade away. Yet they ask the Apostles a question that even a first-year modern law student knows better than to do—don’t ask for an answer you don’t want to hear. “By what power or what name did you do this?” ( Acts 4:7b)
Peter immediately responds, “Know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.” (Acts 4:10) Worse yet for them, Peter continues, quoting a prophecy that the Council would recognize and understand had to do with the long-awaited Messiah. “Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:11-12)
The damage is done, “But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.” (Acts 4:14) The Council confers amongst themselves. “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.” (Acts 4:16-17) They reprimand Peter and John, but are afraid to punish them because of the crowds. “After further threats, they let them go.” (Acts 4:18)
The two Apostles have accomplished something unheard of—ordinary men who “had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13d) had just backed down some of the most powerful men, not just in Jerusalem, but in fact throughout all Israel. Peter and John return to the company of their inner circle of believers “and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.” (Acts 4:23b) Together, they all “raised their voices together in prayer to God.” (Acts 4:24b) Quoting not only scripture, but also referring to the recent events of Jesus’ death and resurrection as well as their own castigation by the Council, they pray: “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” (Acts 4:29-30)
And God answers their prayer immediately. “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” (Acts 4:31) This is immediately followed in scripture by description of the power of the Holy Spirit working in the believers lives, uniting them in common cause. Their unity is so great that they voluntarily share worldly wealth, so that “there were no needy persons among them.” (Acts 4:34a) And the church of Jesus Christ begins explosive growth.
What if we prayed believing what Jesus tells his true disciples? “Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” (John 16:23-24) What might happen if you and I prayed dangerously—if we asked God, believing—for signs, and wonders, and miracles “in the name of Jesus?” And what if he answers yes—what then?
Q. When was the last time I prayed, believing for a miracle, in the name of Jesus?
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