Lesson 1 The Power Of His Name

     Philippians 2:9-11 (Amplified) says ,"Therefore (because He stooped so low) God has highly exalted Him and has freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name."  Verse 10 goes on, "that in (at) the name of Jesus every knee should (must) bow; in heaven and on earth and under the earth."  Verse 11 , "and every tongue (frankly and openly) confess and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
     This name that was conferred upon Him by the Father, is the Power of our Salvation.  Not just the part of salvation that brings you to heaven when we leave this planet, but the power of our salvation now also.  This is the authority of the believer while we are still here in the flesh and blood body.  We've been given the power of attorney to use His name against the enemy in every realm of our Christian walk.  At the use of this name (and understanding of this name) we have, now, complete authority over everything here.
     Mostly, we have never stepped into the knowledge of this as believers.  In the book of Acts 3:6 (Amplified) we read, "But Peter said, silver and gold (money) I do not have; but what I do have, that I give to you; in (the use of) the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."  Verse 8 goes on, "And leaping forth he stood and began to walk, and he went into the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God."
     Peter didn't pray over this man, nor did he ask God to heal him.  Peter simply spoke to him in the name of Jesus and commanded him to rise up and walk.
     There's a big difference between using the authority of His name in prayer and using the authority of His name in a command.  Mostly, we've used His name in our prayer life and we must do so to reach results.  But, using His name in a command of power is something that many Christians don't seem to understand yet.  We're granted the privilege of the use of His name and all of the power of that name in everything we do.  At the sound of that name in the lips of a believer, the enemy has to loose his hold and leave.  When a believer uses that name in faith, it's just as though Jesus Himself spoke it.
     In John 16:26 (Amplified) "Jesus said, at that time (Jesus talking about after His resurrection) you will ask (pray) in My name, and I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf (for it will be unnecessary)."  Verse 27 goes on, "for the Father Himself (tenderly) loves you because you have loved Me and have believed that I came out from the Father." 
     This is Jesus' name in the power of prayer.  John 14:12-14 (Amplified) says, "I assure you, most solemnly I tell you; If anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to My Father."  Verse 13 continues, "and I will do (I Myself will grant) whatever you ask in My name (as presenting all that I am) so that the Father may be glorified and extolled in (through) the Son." Verse 14 ,"(Yes) I will grant (I Myself will do for you) whatever you shall ask in My Name (as presenting all that I Am)."
     John 16 is His name in prayer and John 14 is His name by demand.  You're not demanding Jesus to do something, but you are demanding (by the power of His name) the enemy (in sickness,in bondage, in torment) to loose the captive in whatever he's holding the people, to let them go.  This is what Peter and John did in Acts 3 at the gates of the Temple.  Did you notice that Peter didn't pray for God to heal the man?  He demanded (or commanded) the man to rise and walk at the power of the Name of Jesus.  There's a difference in the Name in prayer and His name in the authority of the believer to use His name.
     As you watch (especially in the book of Acts), the difference in the use of the Name of Jesus, you will see a stark contrast.  In Acts 4:24-31 (Amplified) you see the tremendous power of His name used in prayer.  You find also in Acts 12 when Peter was thrown in jail, as the people prayed, an angel came (as the result of the people praying) and set Peter free.  In Acts 13 you find the Apostle Paul "being confronted by a false prophet named Bar-Jesus."  Acts 13:6 says,"as he opposed those who preached, Paul (by command or demand in the name of Jesus) spoke blindness on this man (Elymas) ."  Verse 11, "and the man needed someone to lead him by the hand."
     One scripture is the power of His name in prayer, the other is the power of attorney to use His ability against the enemy upon the command.  Some things you pray about and some things you take authority over.  Both are a direct result of the Power of His name.
     In Acts 16:16-18 (Amplified) you see the Apostle Paul in verse 18 use the name of Jesus by demanding the unclean spirit to come out of a slave girl being used by satan.  The power of His name being used by command, in this same chapter in verse 25 you see Paul and Silas pray and praise and the jail fell open by an earthquake from on High.
     Paul knew the power of the name in prayer, and Paul knew the power of His name in command over the enemy.  He knew when to pray and he knew when to speak in the authority of His name.  Even when Paul was bitten by the poisonous snake in Acts 28:1-5 (Amplified).  Paul, knowing what the power of the indwelling of the Spirit, and the authority of the Jesus (and His name) that indwelled him, didn't pray and didn't panic.  He simply stood in the power of the name of Jesus and walked on in his faith.
     The difference between the name of Jesus in prayer and the name on the lips of the believer in authority is something the Church needs to study and learn more about especially in this present day of evil.