Only in the Name of the Jesus Christ

Reading Scripture: Philippians 2:11 

Scripture to Memorize: John 14:6 Reference: Acts 3:6, 16:18; Ephesians 5:20 Goal: to let believers know the spiritual authority included in the name of 'Jesus Christ' and help them receive answers and blessings and enjoy powerful lives through His name Those who have faith in God experience the works of answers and blessings through prayer. 

Some believers end their prayer, saying "In the name of Jesus, I pray" whereas others say "In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray". Is one any more correct than the other? You might say, "Do we have to pay attention even to something like that?" But you must not think that way. The name, 'Jesus Christ' has a more important meaning and greater authority than you think.  

• 1. Our Only Savior, Jesus Christ

The Bible tells us that Jesus is our only Savior. John 14:6 says, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." Acts 4:12 also reads, "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." In Romans 6:23 it says, "The wages of sin is death." From the time the first man Adam sinned all mankind has been destined to eternal punishment in Hell. 

The only way mankind can enter Heaven now is the destroying of the wall of sin against God. To solve this, Jesus came to the earth and shed His blood on the cross. By His precious blood He came to redeem us from sins and opened the way of salvation. Then, at exactly what point did Jesus fully accomplish the duty of the Savior? When He overcame death and resurrected on the third day of being crucified on the wooden cross and buried, He became the Savior. 

So, when we refer to Jesus who resurrected, we must call His name 'Jesus' with His title 'Christ' because the word 'Christ' means 'the Anointed One' and Jesus Christ means 'Jesus the anointed One as the Savior' (Ref: Philippians 2:6-11). Reading the Bible, we can see that Jesus' disciples and apostles knew the spiritual meaning of the name and the title because they prayed or preached not just in the name of Jesus but they added 'Lord' or 'Christ' to the name 'Jesus'. Apostle Paul didn't just say 'Jesus Christ' but said 'our Lord Jesus Christ' for an emphasis on its meaning and importance. Ephesians 5:20 reads, "Always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father." 

Romans 7:25 says, "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" Galatians 6:14 states, "But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." Additionally, the name 'Our Lord Jesus Christ' appears in the Bible many times.

• 2. The Meanings Contained in 'Jesus' and 'Jesus Christ'

Even though we cannot see it with our eyes, in the spiritual realm there is a fierce battle between men who belong to God and the enemy devil and Satan. The enemy devil tries to tempt men of faith to commit sins by all means and prowls around like a roaring lion to find someone to devour. That is why 1 Peter 5:8 says, "Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." To win in such spiritual warfare we need to grasp the exact meanings contained in 'Jesus' and 'Jesus Christ'. 

Also, we must realize that there is a great difference in authority and power between praying in the name of Jesus and in the name of Jesus Christ. 'Jesus' is His name before He completed the providence of salvation. But, 'Jesus Christ' indicates that He shed redeeming blood and He is the resurrected Savior. So, when we pray in the name of Jesus Christ, the enemy devil and Satan can't help but tremble. And we can also receive answers by the power of God though what you want seems to be impossible to make happen with human power. But there are still many who just pray in the name of Jesus without realizing the spiritual meaning. We must pray in the name of 'Jesus Christ' by understanding the difference between the names of Jesus and Jesus Christ and the providence of salvation. 

I hope you will not just gain the right to become God's child by accepting Jesus Christ but also enjoy a powerful Christian life by understanding the difference between the names of 'Jesus' and 'Jesus Christ'.

• 3. The authority we gain when we pray in the name of Jesus Christ

In the following verses from Acts 3:6, Peter let a man that had been lame from his birth be healed in the name of 'Jesus Christ the Nazarene'. Peter 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!" and he seized the man by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. With a leap he stood upright and began to walk and praised God. 

Also, as recorded in Acts 16:18, when the apostle Paul said to a demon-possessed woman, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!" the spirit came out at that very moment. In this way, when we pray in the name of Jesus Christ, amazing works can take place. Now then, let me give you an allegory so that you can better understand why we ought to pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Let's say a thief stands next to a policeman. But the policeman doesn't recognize he is a thief. So the thief doesn't feel afraid of the policeman and he doesn't run away, either. But if he thought the policeman recognized him, what would he do? He would feel fear and anxiety and quickly run away. The same applies to the enemy devil and Satan. The authority of prayer is different when you pray in the name of Jesus Christ and when you pray, without knowledge of the meaning, simply in the name of Jesus. 

Praying in the name of Jesus Christ, however, means that you believe that an impossible thing with your own power will be made possible in Jesus Christ the Savior. When you pray with such faith, the prayer becomes a bold and powerful one. Also, in order to drive away evil spirits with prayer, you have to pray with knowledge that Jesus Christ has already overcome death and command in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ who has already achieved the victory. 

Then, the evil spirits will tremble and go away. I hope that by keeping this fact in mind you will pray not in the name of Jesus, but in the name of Jesus Christ or in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. But some people pray in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene. The reason why 'the Nazarene' appears with the name of Jesus Christ in the Bible is that Jesus grew up in Nazareth. So, people who are not from Israel don't have to add 'Nazarene' to the name of Jesus Christ. It is totally acceptable for us to pray in just the name of Jesus Christ.

• 4. The cases where no work happens although we pray in the name of Jesus Christ

No matter how long we have attended church saying we believe in God and no matter what title we have been given, if we live in sins, we have no spiritual power. In this case, tests and afflictions won't be driven away even when we pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Just as maggots and bugs gather on dirty things, the enemy devil and Satan continue to work on those who live in sins, and bother them. However, on the other hand even if you are a child, if you love God and live by His Word, you have spiritual power. 

When you command the enemy devil in the name of Jesus Christ to go away, the devil will obey and be driven away. Anyone who lives in the truth and achieves a holy heart is able to drive away darkness in their life and even when they pray for others the work of God will be manifested. But no matter how much a person is recognized by others, if they don't accept Jesus Christ and don't cast away evil, no spiritual power is given to them. The spiritual power is given only to those who believe the Lord and become holy throwing away every form of evil. Through them the works of God unfolds. 

I hope you will become such sanctified children of God and receive answers to whatever you pray in the name of Jesus Christ and amazing blessings, and then give glory to God.

Ni kwa Jina la Yesu Kristo Pekee

Soma: Wafilipi 2:11

Mstari wa kukariri: Yohana 14:6

Marejeo: Matendo 3:6; 16:18; Waefeso 5:20. Lengo: kuwafundisha waumini mamlaka ya kiroho yaliyomo katika jina “Yesu Kristo,” ili wapokee majibu na baraka na kuishi maisha yenye nguvu kwa jina lake.

Wenye imani katika Mungu hupokea majibu na baraka kupitia maombi. Baadhi ya waumini huhitimisha maombi yao wakisema, “Naomba katika jina la Yesu,” na wengine husema, “Katika jina la Yesu Kristo.” Je, moja ni sahihi zaidi? Huenda ukafikiri si lazima kujali jambo hilo, lakini jina “Yesu Kristo” lina maana na mamlaka muhimu zaidi kuliko unavyodhani.

• 1. Yesu Kristo, Mwokozi wetu pekee

Biblia hufundisha kwamba Yesu ndiye Mwokozi wetu pekee. Yohana 14:6 husema, “Mimi ndimi njia, na kweli, na uzima; mtu haji kwa Baba, ila kwa njia ya mimi.” Matendo 4:12 husema hakuna wokovu katika mwingine awaye yote. Warumi 6:23 husema mshahara wa dhambi ni mauti. Tangu Adamu wa kwanza alipofanya dhambi, wanadamu wote walielekea adhabu ya milele jehanamu.

Njia pekee ya kuingia mbinguni ni kuondoa ukuta wa dhambi kati yetu na Mungu. Yesu alikuja duniani, akamwaga damu yake msalabani ili atukomboe na kufungua njia ya wokovu. Yesu alitimiza kikamilifu wajibu wa Mwokozi aliposhinda mauti na kufufuka siku ya tatu baada ya kusulubiwa na kuzikwa. Kwa hiyo, tunapomtaja Yesu aliyefufuka, tunapaswa kutumia cheo “Kristo”; Kristo humaanisha “aliyetiwa mafuta,” na Yesu Kristo ni Yesu, Mwokozi aliyetiwa mafuta (Wafilipi 2:6-11). Wanafunzi na mitume wake walijua maana ya kiroho ya jina hilo; walitaja “Bwana” au “Kristo” pamoja na “Yesu.” Paulo alisema “Bwana wetu Yesu Kristo” ili kusisitiza maana na umuhimu wake. Waefeso 5:20 husema tumshukuru Mungu Baba kwa mambo yote katika jina la Bwana wetu Yesu Kristo; Warumi 7:25 na Wagalatia 6:14 pia hutaja Bwana Yesu Kristo.

• 2. Maana iliyomo katika “Yesu” na “Yesu Kristo”

Ingawa hatuoni kwa macho, katika ulimwengu wa roho kuna vita kali kati ya watu wa Mungu na adui ibilisi na shetani. Adui hujaribu kuwashawishi waumini watende dhambi na huzunguka kama simba angurumaye akitafuta mtu wa kummeza (1 Petro 5:8). Ili kushinda vita hivyo, tunahitaji kuelewa maana ya majina “Yesu” na “Yesu Kristo.”

Katika ulimwengu wa roho kuna tofauti kubwa ya mamlaka na nguvu kati ya kuomba kwa jina la Yesu na kwa jina la Yesu Kristo. “Yesu” ni jina lake kabla hajakamilisha mpango wa wokovu. “Yesu Kristo” huonyesha kwamba alimwaga damu ya ukombozi na ni Mwokozi aliyefufuka. Tunapoomba kwa jina la Yesu Kristo, adui ibilisi na shetani hutetemeka; kwa nguvu za Mungu tunaweza pia kupokea majibu hata jambo lionekanapo haliwezekani kwa uwezo wa kibinadamu. Wengi bado huomba kwa jina la Yesu bila kutambua maana hiyo. Tuelewe tofauti kati ya Yesu na Yesu Kristo na mpango wa wokovu, kisha tuombe kwa jina la Yesu Kristo.

Usipokee tu haki ya kuwa mtoto wa Mungu kwa kumkubali Yesu Kristo; elewa pia tofauti kati ya majina haya ili uishi maisha ya Kikristo yenye nguvu.

• 3. Mamlaka tunayopokea tunapoomba kwa jina la Yesu Kristo

Katika Matendo 3:6, Petro alimponya mtu aliyekuwa kilema tangu kuzaliwa kwa jina la “Yesu Kristo wa Nazareti.” Alisema, “Sina fedha wala dhahabu, lakini nilicho nacho, ndicho nikupacho: Kwa jina la Yesu Kristo wa Nazareti, simama uende!” Akamshika mkono wa kuume na kumwinua; mara miguu na vifundo vyake vikatiwa nguvu. Akasimama na kutembea huku akimtukuza Mungu.

Katika Matendo 16:18, Paulo alimwambia mwanamke aliyekuwa na pepo, “Nakuamuru kwa jina la Yesu Kristo, mtoke huyu,” naye pepo akatoka mara moja. Ili kuelewa kwa nini tunapaswa kutumia jina hili, fikiria mwizi aliyesimama karibu na polisi asiyetambua kuwa yeye ni mwizi. Haogopi polisi wala kukimbia. Lakini polisi akimtambua, mwizi huogopa na kukimbia. Vivyo hivyo adui ibilisi na shetani. Mamlaka ya maombi hutofautiana tunapoomba kwa jina la Yesu Kristo kwa ufahamu na tunapotaja tu jina la Yesu bila kuelewa maana yake.

Kuomba kwa jina la Yesu Kristo kunamaanisha kuamini kwamba Yesu Mwokozi atafanya liwezekanalo jambo ambalo hatuwezi kufanya kwa nguvu zetu. Kwa imani hiyo maombi huwa ya ujasiri na yenye nguvu. Ili kufukuza roho waovu, kumbuka kwamba Yesu Kristo tayari amelishinda mauti, kisha uwaamuru kwa jina lake la ushindi. Roho waovu watatetemeka na kuondoka. Basi omba kwa jina la Yesu Kristo au Bwana Yesu Kristo, si kwa jina la Yesu pekee. Biblia hutaja “Yesu Kristo wa Nazareti” kwa sababu Yesu alikulia Nazareti. Watu wasiotoka Israeli hawahitaji kuongeza “wa Nazareti”; inatosha kuomba kwa jina la Yesu Kristo.

• 4. Wakati hakuna kazi inayotokea ingawa tunaomba kwa jina la Yesu Kristo

Hata mtu awe amehudhuria kanisa kwa miaka mingi na kuwa na cheo gani, akiishi katika dhambi hana nguvu za kiroho. Katika hali hiyo, majaribu na mateso hayaondoki hata akiomba kwa jina la Yesu Kristo. Kama funza na wadudu wanavyokusanyika kwenye uchafu, adui ibilisi na shetani huendelea kuwashambulia wanaoishi katika dhambi. Lakini hata mtoto akiwa mtoto wa Mungu, akimpenda Mungu na kuishi kwa Neno lake, ana nguvu za kiroho.

Unapomwamuru adui kwa jina la Yesu Kristo aondoke, atatii na kuondoka. Anayeishi katika kweli na kuufanya moyo wake mtakatifu anaweza kuondoa giza maishani mwake na Mungu anaweza kutenda anapowaombea wengine. Hata mtu akitambuliwa na watu, asipompokea Yesu Kristo na kuacha uovu, hatapewa nguvu za kiroho. Nguvu hizo hupewa wanaomwamini Bwana, wanaotakaswa na kutupa kila aina ya uovu. Uwe mtoto wa Mungu aliyetakaswa, pokea majibu na baraka za ajabu unapoomba kwa jina la Yesu Kristo, kisha umtukuze Mungu.