"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."

                                                                          Colossians :17

       I remember back in April 1978, while attending Rhema Bible Training Center, that I had the privilege of sitting under a week of teachings by Brother Hagin on the subject, "The Name of Jesus." Those messages were later put into a book. I still have several first edition copies that were published back in 1979 in my library. This book was out of circulation for several years, but is once again available through Kenneth Hagin Ministries. I would encourage you, if you do not have a copy to go ahead and purchase one.

       Over the years, since first attending that seminar, I have fed off of these teachings, both from my sermon notes and the book, again and again. They continually stir my spirit with expectancy and inspire my faith. To discover all that this Name holds is so far reaching that we would do well to examine the scriptures until we master them--until we are entrenched in the revelation contained in the Name!

       All through the Old Testament, God was particular about declaring his name, especially his redemptive names to his people. In every way that he revealed himself, it was the Name of Jesus that he chose and qualified to be the "one" name that became the sum total of the expression of all that redemption holds. Every name that God spoke as a revelation of his nature to Israel, he now reveals to us in the Name of Jesus! God took the risk of laying everything on the line by investing everything into that Name! There is no way that Name can fail anymore than heaven could fail or God could fail!

       That Name has been so honored by heaven that all the wealth of heaven--God's character, his nature, his power, his glory, even his essence stands behind that Name! Paul's prayer in Ephesians declares it so. For in this prayer he tells us that when Christ was raised from the dead, God set him at his own right hand in heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come (Eph. 1: 20-21). There is no higher Name. There is no greater Name than the Name of Jesus!

       In the passage of scripture we call the "Great Commission," Jesus himself told his disciples, "And these signs shall follow them that believe in my Name...they shall cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover" (Mark 16:17-18). It was here that Jesus authorized his disciples to the right to use his Name. If we were to define these words from a Post-Pentecostal experience, especially understanding redemption as it was unfolded through the teachings of the Apostle Paul, it might read like this: "I make a decree that as truly as I live, this Name, in all of its greatness, will unlock every door and undo every stronghold that the enemy will stand against you with, because heaven itself is now backing my Name. If you will follow me, I will empower you with my Name to such an extent that demons will tremble and hell will shutter at the mention of that Name! So now, go forth and preach everywhere in this Name and demonstrate Satan's defeat!"

       I remember a time when I was teaching along these lines that the Holy Spirit spoke up in my spirit and said, "When you honor and reverence that Name and all that it stands for, you will create an atmosphere for my presence to manifest." [He reminded me of the scripture in John fourteen where Jesus said, "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name..." Also in Matthew eighteen: "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (John 14:26; Matt. 18:20)].  He also said: "And when you stand believing and apply your faith in that Name that you will create an atmosphere for my power to manifest." [He pointed out the passage in Acts where Peter and John saw the crippled man healed through the power of that Name (Acts 3:16)].

       There is a place where God's presence will manifest in all its glory and majesty. It resides in the sacred chambers of those who will dare hallow that precious Name...the Name of Jesus! And there is a place where God's mighty power will manifest in all its strength and splendor. It resides in the deep, abiding, trust and faith in those who will dare stand up and declare his exalted Name...the Name of Jesus!

       May you take your place in that Name today, and see God's awesome presence and power unfold before you!*