During Jesus Christ’s time on earth, two characteristics marked his ministry: first, he taught God’s Word to the people, and second, he brought deliverance. As he ministered, he declared God by making known the Scriptures, and he healed every sickness and disease among the people. He had a very powerful ministry.
Now that Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead and ascended to heaven, does that mean that healing and deliverance are no longer possible? If that was the case, it would mean that all the work that he has accomplished has made less available to mankind and that is not the case. Note what God did because Jesus Christ humbled himself and walked obediently,
Philippians 2:9, 10
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth. [KJV]
God exalted Jesus Christ and gave him a name that is above every name. Everything must bow when the name of Jesus Christ is made known. This includes every type of sickness and disease. There is none greater than the name of Jesus Christ.
Peter and John were on their way to the Temple one day and they encountered a man who had been lame from birth: the man had not walked in 40 years and sat by the street begging. When Peter saw the man, he said,
Acts 3:6
Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. [KJV]
Peter spoke to the lame man and used the powerful name of Jesus Christ. The following verses tell us what happened.
Acts 3:7, 8
And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. [KJV]
The man who had not walked in 40 years was now walking, leaping, and praising God. And how did this happen? Peter used the name of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ had a powerful ministry of deliverance while on earth; now that he is seated at God’s right hand, would that ministry be less powerful than before? Of course not! The difference is that now every Christian believer in any part of the world can use the name of Jesus Christ. As part of the redemption and salvation that Jesus Christ’s walk made possible, we have been given the right and privilege to use his name.
Have you called on the name of Jesus Christ? If you are a Christian, you certainly have. That is how you became a Christian. Since you became a Christian, have you called on that name for healing and deliverance? If you have not, you are missing out on the authority over sickness and disease that is resident in the highly exalted name of Jesus Christ.
When questioned by the religious leaders as to how they had been able to heal this lame man, this is what they said,
Acts 4:10
Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. [KJV]
How was the man healed? Peter said, by the name of Jesus Christ, this man had been made whole. Isn’t that a remarkable truth? Did you know you could use the name of Jesus Christ?
Well, you certainly can because God has highly exalted His son and given him a name that is above every name. It is that name that brings salvation, and it is that name that brings deliverance from sickness, disease, and every other force of darkness in this world. Jesus Christ has purchased you, and now you belong to him. Why not walk in the authority that you’ve been given?