So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:18-19 ESV

So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 10:32-33 ESV

I remember the night I was saved and brought back to spiritual life through Jesus Christ. A month after 9/11 happened, I was invited to a local Christian rally to where many Christians were coming together to pray and to hear a pastor from overseas give his testimony of his persecution for the sake of Christ. That night, I heard the gospel preached, and I heard a call for salvation. Now, I understand there are mixed feelings about altar calls and having individuals walk the aisle and pray the prayer. To this day, I myself have mixed feelings about it and the misconceptions people could believe in a mere “decision” without any evidence of regeneration and the testimony of Christ.

However, that moment is etched into my memory because great conviction came over me that night, and I was broken by the level of sin I had committed against God. I remember a lady praying with me, and I repented of my sins and asked Jesus to forgive me and to cleanse me. I confessed Him as my Lord and Savior. There were many tears and the understanding that God had done what I was utterly incapable of doing.

When God found me wandering on another path years later, a path meandering off into beliefs stamped with His name but unfounded in the confines of His Word, I was comforted by one certainty alone. It was the assurance of my salvation that could only be found in Jesus Christ. At that time, it was the only certainty I had as God brought me back to the foundation of His Word and His gospel, this precious good news testifying of no other name but Christ Jesus.

It is hard to explain though I have tried on numerous occasions. From that foundation, rebuilding began, and God has been gracious in planting us in a pasture lush with sustenance, which is found without question in the confines of Scripture. Over the past few years, the desire to understand His Word more fully and properly has grown and in that my personal fellowship with the Lord has matured and continues to do so.

Recently, I was listening to an interview where a young lady told of being invited along with a group of people from church to a secular event with the intention of prophesying to people. Regardless of your thoughts on this, and I can tell you, I have some thoughts as well, she said a few things that brought a cause for concern. This group of individuals was said to have replaced the psychics at the event. During this interview, this young lady also stated that when going to these events, they do not do hard-core evangelism, and she does not use the name of Jesus. Rather, she refers to His other names, such unconditional love or the spirit of truth. The concern continued even more when the interviewer who had also participated in this event, stated that honoring the event hosts was important and when they are told not to say the name of Jesus, then they honor that, stating that the gospel can still be preached without saying the name of Jesus. But can it really?

I shared what I did at the beginning not to emphasize personal experience but to focus on the gospel and that salvation came by no other way than through faith in Jesus Christ. When I heard these statements, Scripture came to mind because it is Scripture which testifies of the Savior. What was said seemed to disagree with their conclusions. The account of Peter and John being used by God to heal the lame man at the beautiful gate (Acts 3) came to my remembrance. There was not simply a focus on a miraculous sign taking place, but the gospel accompanied this healing, the result being five thousand coming to saving faith in Jesus Christ. (Acts 3:11-4:4)

When you read through these cited passages, notice that Peter does not shy away from the name of Jesus. He does not find a substitute. Peter and John did not shy away from proclaiming His name even after the rulers and elders charged them not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. Their refusal to disobey God caused them to be imprisoned and beaten in another incident (Acts 5:40). There was no loophole provided. There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:20). Paul told the Corinthian church when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:1-2)

Is it possible to minister the gospel of Jesus Christ without saying His name? No. It is His good news. Without testifying of Jesus and why He came, there is no good news. People need to hear why they are in need of salvation. Without acknowledging Him before men, there is a warning from the Lord Himself of being denied before the Father in heaven. Getting the gospel right matters. The full gospel is centered upon God atoning for the sins of rebellious human beings who apart from Him are dead and under His wrath. That atoning, that satisfaction was found in the Lamb of God who was slain on a cross, washing us clean and giving us eternal life as He is alive and seated at the right hand of the Father. The greatest miracle is a dead man being brought to life by faith in Jesus Christ. This is the name that will not be denied.

Listen to this latest episode pertaining to this blog post- https://open.spotify.com/episode/2hmeYBHghyv2JqpcQldUeE