First Lesson: Acts 4:8-12

Theme: The name of Jesus, the power of God

Exegetical note
This third of Peter’s speeches after Pentecost recorded in Acts comes as a result of his having been questioned by Jewish leaders about the authority ("name") by which he had performed a healing. The question, like his response, points to the ancient view that one’s name was an integral and intimate part of his or her person, presence and power and the related notion that a name, particularly that of a deity, had powers to cure or curse, exorcise or extirpate.

Call to Worship
Leader: We are gathered here this day in the name of Jesus!
People: AND MEETING IN THAT NAME WE KNOW THE PERSON, THE POWER, THE PRESENCE OF GOD!
Leader: In the name of Jesus we find healing, and salvation, and freedom from all the …