I. INTRODUCTION
A. In our culture, authorities will tolerate almost any kind of speech in respect for our First Amendment rights. However, use of the name of Jesus often draws rebukes and even penalties for the offense it causes.
1. On May 5, 1995, U.S. district judge Samuel Kent issued a ruling prohibiting students from using the name of Jesus in prayer at a high school graduation in Texas. He said, "And make no mistake, the court is going to have a United States marshal in attendance at the graduation. If any student offends this court, that student will be summarily arrested and will face up to six months incarceration in the Galveston County Jail for contempt of court. Anyone who thinks I'm kidding about this better think again. Anyone who violates these orders, no kidding, is going to wish that he or she had died as a child when this court gets through with it.” Judge Kent's ruling was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.
2. Lt. Gordon Klingenschmitt, a Navy chaplain, was court marshaled, convicted, and dismissed from the Navy in 2007 for violating orders requiring him not to pray in Jesus' name.
3. Hospital chaplain Danny Harvey was fired in 2007 by the Leesburg Regional Medical Center in Florida for praying in Jesus' name.
4. In 2010, a North Carolina Baptist preacher, Ron Baity, was removed as an honorary chaplain of the state house of representatives after he used the name of Jesus in prayer.
5. In 2011, Arleen Ocasio, the Director of the Sam Houston National Cemetery prohibited Nazarene preacher Scott Rainey from praying in Jesus' name during the invocation at the Memorial Day ceremony. The ban was overturned by Judge Lynn N. Hughes.
6. In 2011, U.S. District Court Judge Fred Biery ruled that the valedictorian of Medina Valley High School in Texas would be subject to six months in jail for praying in Jesus' name at the school's graduation ceremony. The ruling was overturned by the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.
B. Why is the name of Jesus so offensive to unbelievers? Let us consider the third, fourth, and fifth chapters of the book of Acts to find the answer.
II. THE ISSUE WAS JESUS' NAME
A. The narrative that begins in Acts 3 can be told almost completely with only the verses that refer to the name of Jesus.
1. When Peter saw the lame beggar at the gate of the temple, he said, "I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene – walk!” (Acts 3:6).
2. When Peter explained the miracle of the man's healing to the multitude, he said, "And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all” (Acts 3:16).
3. After the rulers of the Jews had arrested Peter and John, the council of the Sanhedrin convened and asked them, "By what power, or in what name, have you done this?” (Acts 4:7).
4. Peter gave a bold answer by inspiration of the Holy Spirit in Acts 4:8-12, saying,
"Rulers and elders of the people, if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead – by this name this man stands here before you in good health. He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone. And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
5. Following this, the Council conferred and gave an order. Notice Acts 4:17-18:
[They said to one another,] "But so that it will not spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no longer to any man in this name.” And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
6. When Peter and John were released, they went to the disciples, who prayed to God, saying, "And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus” (Acts 4:29-30).
7. Later, the Sanhedrin arrested and charged the apostles with violating their orders, saying, "We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man's blood upon us” (Acts 5:28).
8. After Gameliel counseled the other rulers not to oppose the apostles and the movement of Christianity, Acts 5:40-41 says,
They took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.
B. What does this episode teach us concerning those who are opposed to Jesus and offended at His name?
1. The power that is associated with the name of Jesus is evident to them.
a. The Sanhedrin asked, "By what power, or in what name, have you done this?” (Acts 4:7). They knew there had to be power and authority behind these events.
b. Likewise, those who oppose Jesus today inherently know that there must be power and authority behind the religion of Christianity. Its truth is too divine, its evidence is too strong, its effect is too widespread, and its witnesses are too dedicated for the name of Jesus to be a fraud.
2. They cannot deny the power of Jesus name, so they seek to oppress it by intimidation and manipulation.
a. The Sanhedrin determined, "But so that it will not spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no longer to any man in this name.”
b. The enemies of Jesus still attempt to silence those who preach the offensive message. Of course, this doesn't change the truth, but it at least keeps the message from spreading to others. If they can contain the message within church buildings and homes only, then they hope to keep it from the general public.
3. They are offended because the name of Jesus calls on them to be accountable for their own deeds.
a. The Sanhedrin said to the apostles, "[Y]ou have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.” "This man's blood” was already upon them by their own doing and request (Matt. 27:25), but the preaching of Jesus' name reminded them of this painful truth.
b. Today, the enemies of Jesus are offended at the message of the gospel because it declares to them that God "has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:31).
4. Their attempts to silence Christians fail, so they often turn to punitive measures to enforce their will against Christians.
a. The Sanhedrin's first threat against Peter and John had no effect, so the second time "they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus.” When this did not stop the preaching of Jesus, the Sanhedrin put Stephen to death (Acts 6:9-7:60).
b. We can now see the enemies of our Lord among us moving from the tactics of threats and intimidation to the enforcement of penalties and persecution. Today, men are being terminated from jobs or even imprisoned for using the name of Jesus in certain unapproved situations. How long might it be before more severe tactics might be employed to stop the use of the name of Jesus?
III. CONCLUSION
A. Let us remember the words of Peter about Jesus as he quoted Psalm 118:22 and answered the Sanhedrin: "He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone” (Acts 5:11; see also 1Pet. 2:7).
1. The very cornerstone and foundation of our faith, Christ Jesus, has been rejected by those who do not believe in Him.
2. Therefore, any use of His name will be offensive to them as well.
B. Rather than being discouraged by those who demand that we stop using the name of the Lord, let us rejoice like the early Christians, for it is further proof of what we already know. Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God, and "there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”