Are You Living Your Life Contrary to the Name of Jesus of Nazareth?
As Apostle Paul stood before King Agrippa, he revealed a diabolical thought that he had. He had pondered on doing “many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth” (Acts 26:9).
In Paul’s case, it wasn’t just a thought that he had but it was his passion and the purpose of his life.
Therefore, the question is, are your words, actions, and passions, in this life, contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth?
In our world today, as Christians, we experience many people doing many things contrary to the name of Jesus almost every day.
But these persons ignorantly or knowingly they are opposing God.
If we stop to ponder this, our discovery would amaze us.
Christians Are Your Behaviors Conforming or Confronting the Name of Jesus?
Before I examine this, let’s bear in mind that here, Apostle Paul was referring to the time before his conversion to Christianity.
At that time, he was called Saul of Tarsus the persecutor of the Church of Jesus Christ.
He was the tormentor of Jesus!
Then, he was a zealously practicing Pharisee. He was a Pharisee of the Pharisees! Prominent and passionate! Educated and cocky!
As a result, he opposed and persecuted everything and everyone remotely connected to the name, Jesus of Nazareth.
Therefore, this is his reflection on his motivation before his conversion.
Here are some of the things that Saul of Tarsus did which were contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
Paul’s Behavior Contrary to the Name of Jesus of Nazareth
- He imprisoned many of the saints.
- When they were put to death, he testified against them.
- He punished them often in every synagogue.
- He compelled them to blaspheme.
- Saul was exceedingly mad against them.
- Saul of Tarsus pursued and persecuted many saints to strange cities, (Acts 26:10-11).
Similarly, today, people whose behaviors are contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth are equally persecutors of Christ.
They speak against the name of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, or Jesus of Nazareth.
But why doing many things opposite to the name of Jesus of Nazareth is considered devilish?
Because everything we do, in this life, has no relevance or significant impact unless it’s associated with a name.
How this Man Blasphemes God?
Listen as the Anti-Christ blasphemes God and heaven. Subsequently, as you do, observe that he employs a name to accomplish his diabolical achievement.
“And there was given unto [The Beast] a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months” (Revelation 13:5).
[The Beast] “opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven” (Revelation 13:6).
If we speak and never use a name our words are empty. They are meaningless and powerless.
In today’s nomenclature, the name is the “Brand”!
Therefore, if we oppose the name, say Apple, then we oppose the brand and everything it stands for.
It’s a similar thing with Jesus of Nazareth!
The Name of Jesus is the Brand
However, in the case of Jesus, he is super-special. He’s the Only Begotten Son of God.
He’s from God. He gave him his name. The Lord God became Jesus Christ and died for all humanity.
There’s nobody else in any place in this world (or any other world) who could genuinely claim to be the only begotten Son of God.
However, there are many sons of God. We are all sons of God. But we are not begotten.
Adam was also a son of God but he was not begotten. Jesus of Nazareth is the only person who truly has that title.
Additionally, the genealogy, circumstances, activities, prophecies and actions of Jesus Christ proved beyond a doubt the he is whom the Scriptures claim him to be.
Further, the countless testimonies of people who came in contact with him are irrefutable evidence of this.
They declared him to be the only Son of God.
Could so many thousands of people be lying?
How is This Brand Unique?
Because the name Jesus means Savior and coupled with his heavenly origin, anything or person who opposes it is fighting against the Lord God, (Matthew 1:21).
They are opposing the Heavenly Brand: Jesus of Nazareth!
They are conflicting the Lord God!
“Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself” (Acts 26:1).
Governor Festus told his guest, King Agrippa, about Apostle Paul. He was in bonds. Consequently, the king agreed to hear him.
So, now Paul has audience with the king and he was defending himself.
“I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews” (Acts 26:2).
How Words Contrary to the Name of Jesus Works?
Persons who speak against or make disparaging comments about Jesus Christ are fighting against God.
In order to do this, they must utilize a name. Without a name their efforts are futile and wasted.
The Devil knows this! Therefore, he uses people to speak often against the name, Jesus Christ or Jesus of Nazareth.
There is no blasphemy against God and heaven if no name is involved.
The usage of the Trinity emerged for this very purpose.
How do we worship or express distaste at someone or something?
We utilize its name! Or we fail to use it!
Deception Concerning “The Name” of Jesus of Nazareth!
The usage of the Trinity does just that. It diverts the worship of the Lord God to a none-entity.
The name is Jesus Christ. Jesus of Nazareth or any other combinations or permutations which describes him as the Only Begotten Son of God.
For example, Christ Jesus. Or Jesus Christ the Lord. Lord Jesus is also appropriate.
But invoking “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”, never mentions “the name” (Matthew 28:19).
Therefore, saying this statement only hints at “the name”!
Most definitely, we know that “Father”, “Son”, or “Holy Ghost”, is not a name.
These are titles! For every person or god who functions in any role must possess a name.
Only “Christians” Have Problems With the Name of Jesus of Nazareth
However, it’s only in Christianity that people have problems with this.
Christianity is the only true religion! It alone is the sole route to the Lord God.
In every other “faith” all their gods have names.
But concerning the name that is the greatest name in the universe, Satan tries to deflect worship of it.
The name, Jesus Christ of Nazareth is the greatest name in heaven and in earth. There’s none like it!
Since no other name surpasses it, should not we worship it? Because in worshiping the name of Jesus Christ we are indeed worshipping the Lord God almighty!
This is what nonbelievers and the Jewish nation fail to perceive!
The way to the Lord God is Jesus Christ!
Apostle Paul continues his exposition to King Agrippa.
Apostle Paul Explains the Hope of the Name of Jesus to King Agrippa
He says, “Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently” (Acts 26:3).
Then he gives a summary of his life from his youth to that encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus.
“My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews” (Acts 26:4).
Folks, observe that even though Apostle Paul still considers himself a Pharisee, now he was not living as one.
At this time, his lifestyle conforms to that of a Christian; a Believer in Jesus Christ.
Below you will find a foundational doctrine of the Pharisees, the resurrection.
What Pharisees and Christians Have in Common?
However, it’s also a cornerstone teaching of Christianity and of Christ.
“Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?” (Acts 26:8).
“Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee” (Acts 26:5).
Apostle Paul had “lived a Pharisee” but “now” he lives a Christian.
“And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God, unto our fathers” (Acts 26:6).
And if we didn’t know better, we would think that Apostle Paul wasn’t a Jew.
Listen, as he speaks!
“Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope’s sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews” (Acts 26:7).
Conclusion
It’s aim is to divert worship from the one true God to Satan.
Nevertheless, many people intentionally oppose the brand, Jesus of Nazareth. They accomplish this by saying and doing things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
However, many more do this in ignorance. It’s this latter group I desire to appeal to.
If your words and actions don’t agree that Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten Son of the Lord God, change today.
One of the ways that many Christians are deceived by the Devil is via water baptism.
How Water Baptism is Important for the Name of Jesus of Nazareth?
As Christians, our water baptism is by immersion. And it’s done “in the name of Jesus Christ”.
As the baptizer buries us in water, he is simultaneously calling on the name, Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
He invokes the superior name to spiritually align our authority in him with that of the Lord God and with heaven.
Our authority is in the name, Jesus Christ.
That’s why those who have not taken on his name are so powerless. They are spiritually weak. They possess no spiritual authority!
These “Christians” own no authority and ultimately no might against the kingdom of darkness!
But when we take on the name of Jesus Christ, we are representatives of him and of heaven.
Why the Name of Jesus Christ is Important in Heaven?
Consequently, he supports what we say and do on earth. Heaven backs-up our words and actions!
He is the Almighty God who became the Only Begotten Son of God.
God became man. He became Jesus Christ!
Finally, determine that your speech, and actions including your water baptism, don’t confront the name Jesus Christ.
Get baptized while the baptizer is saying in the name of Jesus Christ rather that Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
And allow all your actions and words to establish worship and praise of the name, Jesus Christ!
He is king of Kings and lord of Lords. He’s the almighty God! Amen!!
