Speak the name of Jesus!

Captain Andrew Hammond asks if we are ready to proclaim God’s plan of salvation.

Key text

• Acts 3:11–26

In an interview in Salvationist (10 June 2023), General Lyndon Buckingham passionately reminded us: ‘We are a people that love to talk about Jesus. We want people to know that God loves them and that Jesus is the ultimate proof of that love… That’s a big idea of this Movement. We want people to know the good news that there is a life, there is purpose and there is hope and there is eternity, through faith in Jesus Christ. And if we could get excited about that, around the globe, think about the impact of that.’

In an article in Others, General Brian Peddle (Retired) expressed: ‘Let us use every opportunity and every means possible to spread the word about who Jesus is.’

God’s plan through us includes proclaiming the good news of Jesus. Accordingly, it embraces The Salvation Army’s value of boldness in courageously and confidently sharing the good news. As we consider the importance of explaining God’s plan of salvation, our study passage explores the difference the Holy Spirit makes in carrying out this mission. The passage also provides helpful insights for courageously and confidently inviting people to turn in repentance and faith, so they may experience life in all its fullness and one day a home in Heaven.

Explaining the good news of God’s plan requires discernment to recognise opportunities. Peter identifies such an opportunity. Filled with the Holy Spirit, through the authority bestowed upon him by Christ, Peter healed a man. This caused a stir among the onlookers, who saw the man ‘walking and jumping, and praising God’ (Acts 3:8).

In astonishment, people came running to Peter seeking an explanation. Peter no doubt learnt from following Jesus that people usually come seeking relief from felt needs, rather than seeking God’s plan and truth.

However, once they have their need met – or witness such an occasion – people often become receptive to hearing God’s plan and truth (see Luke 5:12–26 and John 8:1–11).

Pause and reflect

• In your interactions with others, what opportunities could the Holy Spirit be presenting to enable receptive dialogue about the good news?

Peter exhorts us: ‘In your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have’ (1 Peter 3:15). The account in our study passage provides an example of Peter being ready and grasping the opportunity to do so.

Identifying a receptive opportunity, however, is only helpful provided we actually enter into dialogue. In Evangelism in the Early Church, Michael Green highlights that the early Church was ‘intensely sensitive to the felt needs of the listeners’ and that ‘their aim nevertheless remained both simple and direct: to introduce others to Jesus Christ’.

When you serve someone, they or onlookers may encourage you. ‘You’re a kind person! What prompted you to serve with The Salvation Army?’ Next time this happens, be ready to follow the example of Peter. Be eager to engage in dialogue. Like Peter, point to Jesus (see v16), respond to questions about Jesus (see v12), witness to the good news (see v15), explain the good news with reference to Scripture (see vv14–26), proclaim restoration through Jesus (see vv19 and 26), and invite them to turn in repentance and faith to Jesus (see v19).

Pause and reflect

• How could you prepare to dialogue about the good news?

Explaining God’s salvation plan requires us to be personally restored through Jesus and enabled by the Holy Spirit. Ajith Fernando reminds us: ‘We must never forget that all the work in the early Church was done in the power of the Spirit.’ It must be the same for us.

In Acts 3, Peter engages courageously and confidently in proclaiming the good news. In contrast, a few hours before Jesus’ crucifixion, Peter disowned Jesus on three occasions when challenged by three different people (see Luke 22:55–62).

What happened to Peter during that time? What changed? Peter encountered the resurrected Jesus. He was forgiven, restored and commissioned by Jesus (see John 21:15–19). Then, at Pentecost, Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit, enabling him to proclaim the good news of Jesus (see Acts 2).

Peter highlights the truth that the good news is for ‘all peoples on Earth’ (v25).

Pause and reflect

• In The Complete Evangelism Guidebook, Scott Dawson comments: ‘The desire to evangelise should not come out of duty or devotion but out of delight… How can we keep him from our conversations if he is truly in our hearts? We cannot! The reason we are able and energetic about sharing Christ is because of the place he holds in our hearts.’ To what extent do you agree with this?

Among the most recent delegation at the International College for Officers, the song ‘I Speak Jesus’ by Charity Gayle became a source of inspiration. As you continue to share the good news, prayerfully reflect upon the words of this song: ‘I just want to speak the name of Jesus/ Over ev’ry heart and ev’ry mind/ … Your name is power/ Your name is healing/ Your name is life/ Break ev’ry stronghold/ Shine through the shadows/ Burn like a fire.’

Let us be Holy Spirit-enabled believers who confidently and courageously share the good news of Jesus!