Q1. Name

[Pastor Ralph]

Q1. (Acts 3:6, 16; 4:10) What kind power do we possess in the name of Jesus? Why do many believers conclude their prayers, “in Jesus’ name, Amen”? (John 14:14) How does praying in Jesus’ name relate to praying in God’s will? Can we misuse praying in Jesus’ name? If so, how?

[Francina]

 

It is the power that comes from God and that power will only work if you believe in Jesus.

Many believers conclude their prayers"in Jesus name,  Amen" because they believe that it is only by the power that is in the name of Jesus that they will receive what ever they have asked for. John 14:13  confirms this.

Praying in Jesus name relate to praying in God's will because by so doing God will be glorified. Jesus is the Son of God and if one believes in Him it means he also believes in God. If you pray in Jesus' name you acknowledge the power that is in God.

It is possible to misuse praying in Jesus' name if the motive for our prayer is wrong. For example asking for something for our own gratification and not for the glorification of God.If the motive for our prayer is selfish then we will be misusing Jesus' name in our prayer.

[kreilly]

In John 14:13, Jesus told us that whatever we asked in His Name, He would do it so that the Father would be glorified.  Therefore, we conclude our prayers in this way.  However, when it just becomes a habit, or ritual to conclude our prayers this way, rather than truly praying for the Father's will to be done so that He may be glorified through Jesus' name, then we misuse His name. 

[Kaleb]

The kind power we do possess in the name of Jesus is so remarkable, since this name has a huge impact in our faith that gives us the following;

Identity- power comes from one's identity, the name of Jesus identify us as believers with power inside us resulted from the name of Jesus we have given.

Renown- the name of Jesus is the only name that is famous above all names in all generations. For us having this name we possess power resulted from it being renown.

Person- we possess power through the name of Jesus because that name puts Godly personality inside us. When the enemy sees us, see God inside us, and hence we are untouchable.

Authority- Above all we have authority through this name, thus we possess power resulted from the authority the name of Jesus have.

Many believers conclude their prayers "in Jesus name, Amen" because of the authority that is in this name. It's like a seal over everything.

Praying in Jesus' name relates to pray in God's will because Jesus told His disciples that if they saw Him they have already saw the Father(God the Father.) Therefore the will of God is in the name of Jesus.

Yes we can misuse the name of Jesus, that's when we use it independently, for our own interests; outside God's will.

 

 

 

[Katy]

Q1.We have the power as followers of Christ to act on His behalf. We must first of all pray to find out His will and them we need to act on it. God will be with us and give us the power to do His bidding. We conclude our prayers “ In Jesus name” as a sign of our utter dependence on Jesus, to answer our prayers. We need Jesus to answer our prayers but they will only be answered in the way that God will’s it to be answered according to His purposes. If our prayers are only selfish prayers for our “wants” rather than needs, I think it would be a misuse of praying “ In Jesus name.” This kind of prayer gives absolutely no glory to God. 

[hanks]

Q1. (Acts 3:6, 16; 4:10) What kind power do we possess in the name of Jesus? Why do many believers conclude their prayers, "in Jesus' name, Amen"? (John 14:14) How does praying in Jesus' name relate to praying in God's will? Can we misuse praying in Jesus' name? If so, how? 
We possess the power of the Holy Spirit which is given to us by the authority of Jesus Christ. “In the name of Jesus Christ” means “by the authority of Jesus Christ.” The apostle Peter was given the power of healing by the authority of Jesus Christ, the healing was done through the Holy Spirit’s power, and not by his own power. It is because Jesus, our great High Priest, has made us acceptable to God, that we can approach God directly. Not because of any merit in us. But, when we pray in Jesus’ name, we must pray according to God’s character and will. The emphasis here is on God's will, not our will. It’s not about adding Jesus’ name at the end of our prayers, it’s to ask for those things that will glorify God, and be for our own spiritual good. We can easily misuse praying in Jesus’ name by making demands that are not at all in line with what God wants for us. Unless we are in a close relationship with our Lord Jesus, we will not know the things God wants for us - the things that are pleasing in God’s sight. So, we cannot use Jesus’ name as a magic formula to fulfil our selfish desires. We can be certain God hears our prayers if we ask what pleases Him, and we know that if God hears us we can be certain our prayers will be answered (1 John 5:14-15). 
 

[hanks]

Q2. (Acts 3:19-20) Why is repentance necessary to experience personal "times of refreshing," peace, and renewal? According to Acts 3:19-20, when does the ultimate "time of refreshing" come? 
Before the “times of refreshing” can come, sins have to be blotted out, and for this to happen there has to be repentance. John the Baptist had prepared the way for Jesus by preaching that people should repent, that is turn away from their sins. In the same way, Peter’s message of salvation also included the call to repent - acknowledging personal sin and turning to God by believing in Jesus the Messiah. Peter was saying that after Israel's repentance, God will bring the “final restoration of all things”, referring to the Second Coming, the Last Judgment, and the removal of sin from the world. In His grace and love, God gives Israel one more opportunity to acknowledge the Christ. If they reject Him a second time, they will not be able to come to repentance when Jesus eventually returns on the clouds of heaven. Peter mentions that their repentance will speed Christ’s return (2 Pet 3:12). 
 

[hanks]

Q3. (Acts 4:12) What are the implications of believing that Jesus Christ is the exclusive way to God? How does this conviction energize evangelism? Why does our culture resist this belief so adamantly? 
The implications are that each one of us must make a personal decision to put our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for our salvation. The gate of Christian discipleship is narrow and the way is difficult, but this leads to eternal life. On the other hand, there is the wide gate - the life of self-indulgence and pleasure, which leads to destruction. What we decide is a matter of life or death, it will determine where we spend eternity. The choice is ours – heaven or hell. This makes it even more urgent for us to evangelise and make disciples for our Lord. So many people don’t realise the magnitude of this decision; don’t understand that there is no other way; are misled by false teachings; are deceived by Satan, or are just plain stubborn, and need to understand the seriousness of what is involved here. Peter didn’t proclaim Jesus as a way of salvation, but as the only way of salvation. Many people don’t mind saying that Jesus is one legitimate way to God, and other religions and even individuals have their own ways to God. They don’t want to believe that Jesus is the only way. The world hates such statements and finds it hard to accept, rather believing that there are many roads to heaven, or that they can take a combination of faiths to get them to heaven, or even believing that all are saved and will spend eternity in heaven. Then there are the majority who think they can earn their way into heaven by works. Instead of putting their trust and faith in Jesus, they prefer to try and find a way to save themselves. They refuse to accept the truth that Jesus is the way and the truth and the life, and that no one comes to the Father except through Jesus (John 14:6). We might ask about the person who has never heard about Jesus, and the infant who dies – we can be sure God is a God of love and will deal with them fairly and justly. We need also to ask what about those who have heard and have rejected our Lord and Saviour? Remember our Heavenly Father is a God of love, mercy, and grace; not wishing any to perish but all to be saved. 
 

[hanks]

Q4. (Acts 4:19-20) We are told to submit to the civil authorities God has placed over us (Romans 13:1). How are we to balance submission to God with submission to parents and government? How can we be faithful to God and still be humble? 
All civil authorities that exist are appointed by God, and for this reason we are told to submit to them as this is part of His plan. The nation’s leaders are also appointed by God, but not always to bless the people, perhaps to judge the people or to prepare the nation for judgment. Therefore, if we resists civil authority, we resists the ordinance of God. And by doing this we will bring judgment upon ourselves. We are to be good citizens, honest in all our dealings with the state, but we are still loyal to God before we are loyal to the state. Since governments have authority from God, we are bound to obey them - unless, of course, they order us to do something in contradiction to God’s law. Then, we are commanded to obey God before man (Acts 4:19). The same argument applies to parents who obviously have been appointed by God. We can be faithful to God and still be humble by praying for the civil authorities, and leaders/parents God has placed over us. We pray for the good leaders who act as servants of God, who promote the good of the people - their security, peace, and general welfare. But we might be unfortunate to have ungodly leaders/parents, we are to pray for them as well, hoping they will come to their senses. 
 

[haar]

Q1. (Acts 3:6, 16; 4:10) What kind power do we possess in the name of Jesus? Why do many believers conclude their prayers, "in Jesus' name, Amen"? (John 14:14) How does praying in Jesus' name relate to praying in God's will? Can we misuse praying in Jesus' name? If so, how?
http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/topic/2044-q1-name/

In His name we have every type of power Jesus had/have- power to heal the sick, power to perform and task etc joining our faith in Him and using His power.

It is unfortunate that the use of “in Jesus Name” at the end of prayer just announces that the prayer has come to an end.

Praying in Jesus name can only relates to praying in Gods name when we by faith bear in mind that the power to achieve what we ask comes from God and is the same power Jesus has bestowed in us to use and achieve result.

[Old Jerry]

We can ask Jesus for everything in his name. We pray in his name. The bible tells us can do all things in his name. That is the reason we conclude our prayers “in the name of Jesus”. I think in praying in Jesus’ name and praying in God’s name is about the same thing. We are asking God for a favor and we are doing it in the name of Jesus. If we are not praying in will of God and we are praying in Jesus’ name then we are misusing the name of Jesus.

[Irmela]

Q1. (Acts 3:6, 16; 4:10)

What kind power do we possess in the name of Jesus?

Why do many believers conclude their prayers, "in Jesus' name, Amen"? (John 14:14)

How does praying in Jesus' name relate to praying in God's will?

Can we misuse praying in Jesus' name? If so, how?

The name of Jesus shows its power only where a man joins Jesus in faith and obedience, and does the will of God. Use of the name of Jesus for independent ends is a misuse and condemns to failure.  Asking in His Name is asking as His representative.

If and when we pray and ask for something or declare something "in Jesus Name", if meant sincerely, we are as though His Hand extended and His voice etc.  It is Jesus using us to voice that request and us having faith that He will indeed allow our request to be answered.  It is like acting in His Name.  Him performing through us.

[crissy464]

We have the same power and authority that Jesus has. We have the ability to aforgive sins , heal the sick and cast out demons. When we use the name of Jesus, we are tapping into the authority that He has given us.
        Ending their prayers in Jesus name, Amen it is a way of affirming their belief that Jesus is their Lord and Savior 
Amen means “so be it or let it be so”.  it is a way of affirming their belief that Jesus is their Lord and Savior.  “Amen” is a word that has been used for thousands of years to express agreement, affirmation, and belief in the truth of a statement. It is a powerful word that has been used in religious and secular contexts alike, and its meaning has evolved over time
 

[Nevardo]

Q1. (Acts 3:6, 16; 4:10) What kind power do we possess in the name of Jesus? Why do many believers conclude their prayers, "in Jesus' name, Amen"? (John 14:14) How does praying in Jesus' name relate to praying in God's will? Can we misuse praying in Jesus' name? If so, how?

1. We do not possess any spiritual power four ourselves but it is Jesus in us.

2. Many believers conclude their prayers, "in Jesus name" to give glory to the Lord, or to recognise that he is the only in charge of any situation in favor of his church.

3. When we pray in the name of Jesus, we pray in the name of our God too.

4. We can misuse praying in Jesus' name when the praying is for our glory, I mean when we just want to be recognise for people.