Bearing the Name of Jesus

Genesis 9:15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.”

Paul is predestined for a very important purpose which is to carry the Name of Jesus to the world. For the first apostles the Lord wanted them to be witnesses of Jesus in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and then the ends of the world. But Paul is expected to start outside first, then kings and after that to come and show the love to the children of Israel. This is a perfect example of the first being the last and the last being the first. The only condition and expectation for a person to start proclaiming the Lord’s Name is repentance and baptism.

In Acts 10:40,41 Peter explains that Jesus did not appear to everybody after resurrection but to chosen ones only.  Jesus could have appeared to everybody, but He appeared to specific people only because these people, with their lives would prove to the world that Jesus is alive. Without a proper exemplary life, it is impossible to preach resurrection to the world.

Let us see using some examples how Paul carried the Lord’s name:

Gentiles

In Acts 16:25 onwards, where Paul and Silas are in a Jail in Philippi, they were singing hymns by midnight praising God and all prisoners were listening to Paul and Silas. There was an earthquake and the chains were loosened and when the jailer wanted to kill himself, Paul shouts “we are all here”. This means hearing the songs of Paul and Silas the inmates were touched in their hearts and they did not go out of prison. A few hours of our life would carry the Lord to the gentiles. We read that the Jailer is asking Paul “What should I do to be saved?” He knew that the happiness and the goodness in the prisoners is salvation than the freedom and authority he enjoys outside prison.

In Acts 17:19-20, in Athens after Paul had been preaching Christ, the locals who were already looking for new things to learn heard newer and strange things for them to understand and asked them to explain. When we preach Jesus to brothers of other religions, we try to convince them that they would receive things that they expect and we just become in line with other ways. Our way is newer and strange to what the world expects. We have to preach salvation to them which they never did. Salvation is the Name of Jesus and that’s what Jesus wanted us to carry to the ends of the world.

In Acts 17:27, Paul explains how God is waiting for people to turn to Him. Paul promotes Jesus as a Lord who created the world and is eagerly expecting us to understand God is not very far from us.

Kings

Presenting the name of Jesus before Kings and authorities is a very important task we have to take. This action defends the gospel and makes way for others to come to Christ. In acts 24:14-15, Paul explains to Felix that Christianity is not a sect that creates confusion but it agrees with what the Jews already believed, which is resurrection. But the Jews had not experienced it yet. This is a progression to their original beliefs and not a cult. This way of presenting Christ requires training ourselves and eagerness to defend Christ and no matter what, do not forsake Him.

In Acts 26:22-23 we read Paul standing before Agrippa and Festus, Paul further explains that this Jesus is whom the Jews were expecting and Jesus suffered and by raising up, He proclaims light to all those in darkness. The way Paul proclaims Jesus before these men is very encouraging to us (till verse 29).

The Children of Israel

God uses the word Children of Israel instead of Israel because these are people who had settled outside Judea. In Romans 1:16, Paul writes that Salvation is to the Jews first. But Paul explains here that it is not something outside God and His will, but is the power of the same God the Jews worship. That’s why I am not ashamed to preach things that contradict with my knowledge but I am proud to speak these words.

In Acts 13:34-35, Paul preaches to the Jews in Antioch about the resurrection of Jesus which would help them never to return to corruption. This opportunity is great and wonderful to all the Children of Israel.

This call to preach to others is very important to all of us. Jesus says that Paul is a chosen instrument of Mine. We are His instruments.

Amen.