When we call a person by their name, we are, in a sense, proclaiming the meaning behind that name as well. Perhaps this is why God renamed several of His children throughout the Bible to one that was more fitting for the way He viewed them and their calling on earth. So what is it that we proclaim when we speak the name of Jesus? And do we, as Christians, have power in the name of Jesus?

What Does the Bible Say about the Power in the Name of Jesus?

God chose to assign His Son a name that represented who He is and what He was coming on earth to do. The name Jesus means “Jesus Saves” or “The Lord of Salvation.”

Matthew 1:21 says, “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

According to Philippians 2:9, Jesus is the “name that is above every name.” We need to remember, though, that it is not merely the word “Jesus” that possesses the powerful authority; rather, it is the One behind that name.

The reason for this power rests solely in the finished work of the cross. Acts 4:12 says, “There is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Because of the blood that was shed for us on Calvary, it is through Jesus that mankind can attain salvation, become a “new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17), become clothed in righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21), and be restored into a right relationship with their Creator.

Romans 10:13 says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” The Greek word for salvation used in this verse is “sozo,” which denotes a process of being saved, healed, delivered, rescued, set free, protected, and becoming completely whole and preserved.

What is it that we are saved from? To state it simply, we are saved from our selves. We are set free from the sin of our flesh, which has distanced us from our Heavenly Father. We are rescued from the punishment—God’s wrath—that we deserve because of this filth.

It is only in Jesus’ name that we receive salvation and redemption.

John 14:6 says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Jesus alone has paved the way to bring us back to the Heavenly Father. This means that we do not attain salvation by our works alone (see Galatians 2:21), nor do we receive this power because we follow a certain denomination or pastor. Rather, it is only in the name of Jesus that we are cleansed, renewed, transformed, and redeemed.

It is only in Jesus’ name that we have access, a passageway, to God the Father.

This is made evident in the above Scripture (John 14:6), as well as John 14:12-14;

“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”

This is why Christ came to earth, after all; to vanquish the sting of death and destruction. This death-defeating power is still at work amongst His followers when we, by faith, decree the name of Jesus. Luke 10:17 says, “The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!’”

Matthew 16:19 tells us that, because of Jesus, “whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

It is only in Jesus’ name that genuine signs and wonders are performed—all for the sake of bringing God the glory and expanding His Kingdom on earth.

Acts 4:30 says, “While you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

Lastly, it is only in Jesus’ name that we inherit the costly gift of eternal life. 1 John 5:13 says, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

Why Does Jesus’ Name Have Power?

Since the beginning of time, God has longed to enjoy a close relationship with His children. This is why, in the Old Testament, the Israelites were instructed to build the Tabernacle; God wanted a dwelling place amongst His people. A place where they could meet with Him and receive a portion of His power and presence.

However, because our sin created a separation between us and God, there were certain regulations and restrictions involved upon entering the Tabernacle—and only the High Priests were allowed access into the Holy Place. Even still, it was only through the blood sacrifice of animals that High Priests could receive God’s pardon for their sins and the sins of their nation.

This was merely a symbolic representation, a foreshadowing, of what was to come. 

Hebrews 9:11-12 says, “But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here,he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.”

Jesus poured Himself out as our blood offering to pay for our eternal salvation, to restore mankind back to the Father, and to grant us access into God’s powerful and cleansing presence. When He died, the veil was torn. Thus, it is only in Jesus’ name that we inherit the gift of salvation.

Hebrews 9:22-24 says, “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence.”

I thank God for the finished work of the cross! It is because of that great demonstration of love that we now have this immense privilege of communing with God—at any place and any time. Because of this sacrifice, we can trust that Jesus’ name alone ushers us into God’s presence and empowers us with these precious benefits of our salvation.

5 Ways You Can Have Power in the Name of Jesus

When Jesus uttered the words “it is finished” on the cross (see John 19:28-30), He was speaking on behalf of us all. Those who have accepted Christ as their Savior are victorious through the blood of the Lamb.

Galatians 1:4 says that Jesus “gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age.” Therefore, the sting of death and suffering do not have ultimate authority over us. We can retreat to these five ways in which we can obtain victorious power in the name of Jesus:

Pray in the name of Jesus

Trust that, as you place these requests in God’s hands, His power will be released in the situation. John 14:13-14 reminds us of the power of our prayers in Jesus’ name: “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”

When facing any form of darkness, speak the name of Jesus

Believe for God’s light to pierce through because Christ is the Light of the World, the “true light that gives light to everyone” (John 1:9). As a Child of God, you do not need to remain in darkness because you have “the light of life” (see John 8:12). In addition, Luke 10:19 says, “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” Jesus has already released us from the stronghold of sin and destruction. We are no longer slaves to darkness; therefore, we do not need to live in bondage because “if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).

In Jesus’ name, we can finish the Kingdom work He began on earth

Because of the grave-defeating power of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 10:7-8 says, “As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.’”

When speaking Jesus’ name, trust in faith that He is your Savior, deliverer, healer, and redeemer.

Remind yourself of the many names and titles of Jesus Christ. Trust that, in Him, you have a Good Shepherd who will guide you (John 10:11-18). You have a High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16) who has made atonement for your sins. You have Immanuel, who is “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). You have a provider of your needs (Philippians 4:19). You have peace, because “he himself is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14) and He is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

Speak His name when faced with temptation

Acknowledge that, without Him, you can do nothing (John 15:5)—but in your weakness, His strength is made perfect (2 Corinthians 12:9-11). When facing temptation, let’s follow the principle addressed in Hebrews 4:14-16: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Not only did Jesus conquer the grave, but it was also through Christ that God breathed this entire world into existence.

John 1:1-3 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” 

“The Word” in this passage refers to Jesus. Later in this chapter, we read that “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14).

How incredible is it to know that the same power that created life and then defeated death resides within us?

There is no higher power, and no greater name, than Jesus—and there will soon come a day when the entire world will bow to this wonderful name, according to Philippians 2:10-11: “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Let’s rejoice that we have the true light and life taking residence within us. Let’s rise up as those who are covered by the blood of the Lamb, claim our authority in Christ, and release the divine power of His love.

The only power strong enough to dispel the evil of this world.

Author T E Hall