“The Power In The Name!”

“The Power In The Name!”(Acts 3:1-21).
Back in the days, – in missionary times – there was this young pastor from an interior enclaved African village. He gained a scholarship, went and studied abroad and bagged a PhD. Upon his return to the village, the community fixed a day to welcome him home and celebrate his achievement and the prestige he brought to the village.
As the celebration was going on, his elder sister collapsed. All first aid effort to revive her was to no avail. The nearest health facility to that village was about fifty kilometers away.
Seeing the futility of the situation the chief called the young PhD holder and told him, “Your sister’s hope of recovery is in your hands. She is suffering from a demonic attack. With your ‘Big book’ in theology only you can save her.”
The young man rushed and took out all the books of renowned theologians, but the books had no answer to the spiritual attack on his sister.
The Protestant theology which this young man did in Europe did not take into consideration the African context where he will operate. Worst still his learning dwelt mostly with topics related to the Bible, but with less absorption of the content of the Bible itself.
A typical African Christianity as reflected through African pentecostalism and the charismatic movements is a pointer to the correlation between Christianity and African Traditional religions. If we eliminate the charlatans who have monetized the gospel for selfish ends, we will comfortably feel at home with the gospel.
This is particularly true within the domain of healing. Spiritual healing is not for sale, and those who are endowed with the power to heal do so for no reason whatsoever.
We Christians have our priorities and we often expect God to stoop and condescend to our expectations. Winning souls for the kingdom cannot be “the carrot and stick” strategy anymore! We give out only what we have received; and we do so in the name of one person alone. “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth…” be healed!
My friend, like the crippled beggar at the temple gate, we look up to the Peters and Johns, begging for money. But money is not all that matters.
Our help is still in the LORD who made heaven and earth. He intends to give you precious things than that which you ask for. He has given us a name in whom we heal the sick.
When we heal the sick or do whatever thing in that name, it is not to seek glory for ourselves. Rather it is a means by which we direct the people’s attention to listen to us so that we can tell them, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord…”
Oh yes my friend, cheer up! Your healer is here; ready to give you more than you ask for!
Sunday prayer: Holy Spirit help me to strengthen my faith through the testimony of others. Amen!
Have a blessed Sunday! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.