There is something powerful about the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Not only does that name provide deliverance, it is a name of power that forces every evil spiritual being to bow down and acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ. While the benefit to us confessing Jesus as Lord is eternal life, there is more; the Holy Spirit also comes to dwell within us. Yet Jesus said that people would come to him claiming that they used his name to prophesy, cast out demons, and do miracles, but he will tell them to go away from him. That seems strange. Is Jesus pointing out that people may use his name without knowing him? This leaves us in the place of having to determine whether people who are using the name of the Lord Jesus Christ are actually doing the Father’s will or their own will. We see how easily power can be distorted for personal gain. At the end of the tribulation Jesus will come for his people when people say ‘blessed is the one coming in the name of the Lord'. They will have to say it. There will be three locations where knees will bend and people will confess. Let’s explore.
Philippians 2:9 G1352 Therefore G2532 also G3588 G2316 God G1473 greatly exalted him, G5251 G2532 and G5483 granted G1473 to him G3686 the name G3588 G5228 above G3956 every G3686 name,
“On which account and the Elohim exalted him exceedingly and show him favor by name over all names.”
Philippians 2:10 G2443 that G1722 at G3588 the G3686 name G* of Jesus G3956 every G1119 knee G2578 should bend -- G2032 heavenly, G2532 and G1919 earthly, G2532 and G2709 underground;
“In order that in the name Jesus all knees bend, above the sky, upon the earth, under the earth.”
2032
ἐπουράνιος
epouranios ep-oo-ran'-ee-os From G1909 and G3772; above the sky
KJV Usage: celestial, (in) heaven (-ly), high.
1919
ἐπίγειος
epigeios ep-ig'-i-os From G1909 and G1093; worldly (physically or morally)
KJV Usage: earthly, in earth, terrestrial.
2709
καταχθόνιος
katachthonios kat-akh-thon'-ee-os From G2596 and χθών chthōn (the ground); subterranean, that is, infernal (belonging to the world of departed spirits) KJV Usage: under the earth.
There are three places where the name of Jesus takes supreme authority; in the celestial, the terrestrial, and the subterranean. The word kamptō means “to bend” or “bow”. Every knee will bend or bow in these three places. People kneel for many different things, but in this case there will be no choice. The unwilling participant does not have a choice. The celestial realm has both spiritual beings that are aligned with Jesus and those that are not aligned with Jesus, but it doesn’t matter because all will bow. The same is true for the terrestrial, every human will bow and all demons will bow. In the subterranean, every departed soul will bow, regardless of whether the souls are in Paradise or Hades. There is no escaping the bending of knees to Jesus. The satan will bow, the devil will bow, the fallen angels will bow, the demons will bow. The people who worship the satan, the devil, fallen angels, or fake deities will bow too.
Imagine everyone that you have ever met who hated Jesus or rejected his good news will one day take a knee before him. Imagine those who hated Christians will bow before Jesus. Imagine those who crucified him will bow before him. Imagine all spiritual beings, those who spiritually influenced humans and the elements, will bow. There is more.
Philippians 2:11 G2532 and G3956 every G1100 tongue G1843 should acknowledge G3754 that G2962 [3 is Lord G* 1Jesus G5547 2Christ] G1519 to G1391 the glory G2316 of God G3962 the father.
“And all tongues consent fully that Lord Jesus Christ to honor the Elohim Father.”
Not only is every knee bowing, but when those knees bow then every tongue will consent fully the Lord Jesus Christ. In other words, every being bows and speaks “Lord Jesus Christ”. It will probably be spoken in shock and surprise by those who rejected him. At this point we have to remember that people and spiritual beings choose to accept or reject Jesus. Jesus does not force people to believe on him. The people who rejected him will end up in Hades. They will bow and acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ. They will still be in Hades but they will bow and acknowledge him. This is to the honor of the Almighty Heavenly Father. Notice what took place after Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Some Greek speaking Jews (the ones who ascend the mountains) came to see Jesus
Joh 12:23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
Joh 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
Joh 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
Joh 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
Joh 12:27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
Joh 12:28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
Joh 12:29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.
Joh 12:30 Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
Joh 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
Joh 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
Jesus is speaking to the Essenes. They live in the mountains and deserts. They knew who he was because he had been in school with them just a few years before. Jesus answers what John did not record, which was the conversation that the Essenes had with Jesus. They came to tell him that he would die. Jesus gives this discourse about how his hour has come to be glorified and he would multiply believers upon his death. He also says that those hating this life will bring themselves eternal life, and that his servants will be honored by the Almighty Father. Jesus says to the Essenes that he is troubled, but this is why he came. Jesus is answering the Essenes, saying that he knows what is about to happen and this is why he came to earth.
In his conclusion with the Essenes, he says “Father Glorify Thy Name”. Then a voice came out of heaven. When voices come out of heaven people take note, just like when Jesus was baptized. Previously the Essenes had heard the Father’s voice at the river, now they heard it again near Jesus’ death. This was a confirmation to the Essenes that Jesus was indeed going to go through with his murder. This is how the Father glorifies his name, through the rescue mission of the son. Then Jesus says that this is the time of judgment of this cosmos. Also the ruler of the cosmos will be ejected outside. Men will no longer have to be enslaved to the devil and the satan any longer. The ruler of the cosmos is thrown out and when Jesus rises up on the third day then he will unsheathe all towards himself. Unsheathe is to take out of a case. Humans have been encased in a spiritual battle and Jesus is taking the sheathe off of everyone. He is drawing humans to him and the satan has no authority to keep you sheathed. If you love darkness you will stay sheathed, but if you love the light you will come out of the sheathe. This is your choice, you can be unsheathed or stay sheathed. This is again how the Almighty Father is glorified.
When we think of how many beings will say ‘Jesus Christ is Lord’, we recognize that the ones who knew him before he created the adam, those who defected and have actively worked against him, are rather unintelligent. How can they know the Creator and yet mutiny? It would seem the devil has a lot of tricks to use against the spiritual sons of God. He keeps people covered. But the Elohim had a few tricks too.
On the day of Pentecost Peter explained the coming of the Holy Spirit which surprised all the people in the temple courts because they heard them speaking their own languages. Peter told them how to be saved.
Act 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
People are saved unto eternal life though the name of Jesus. No one can be saved in my name, and I can’t be saved in your name. None of us can reach heaven on the name, character, or reputation, of someone other than Jesus. When people try to make the good news appealing to non-believers they often tell people that there are many ways to heaven. That is simply not true. In fact, shortly we will see people who use the name of Jesus but will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Peter continues.
Act 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
Act 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
Peter tells the crowd that Jesus is both Lord and Christ. Peter told those people in the courts that day that they crucified Jesus. Did they all crucify Jesus? Technically no. The crucifixion was fifty days prior and most of those people were from out of town. But technically yes. All our sins were nailed to the cross with Jesus. Our sins, as well as their sins, is what put Jesus on the cross. The people were convicted that Jesus was crucified for their sins so Peter told them to repent and be immersed in the name of Jesus Christ.
Acts 2:38 G* And Peter G1161 G5346 said G4314 to G1473 them, G3340 Repent, G2532 and G907 be immersed G1538 each G1473 of you G1909 in G3588 the G3686 name G* of Jesus G5547 Christ G1519 for G859 a release G266 of sins! G2532 and G2983 you shall receive G3588 the G1431 present G3588 of the G39 holy G4151 spirit.
There is only one thing to do, use the name, character, or reputation of Jesus for release of sins. There is only one way to receive pardon for our sins, it is through Jesus’ name. After the release of our sins we can receive the free gift of the Holy Spirit. We cannot receive the free gift of the Holy Spirit before confessing Jesus as Lord and Christ. John explains this to us as he records Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus.
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Joh 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Joh 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
Joh 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Jesus came for our rescue. Why did we need rescuing? Because a group of spiritual beings are attempting an overthrow of Creation, and without someone paying our ransom we are condemned to eternal death. However those who believe on Jesus Christ as Lord are not condemned to eternal death, but instead have eternal life. While the mutinous sons of God attempted to steal creation and enslave humans to their desires, Jesus destroyed their plan. Evil men love darkness.
Paul explains salvation to the Romans as well.
Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Rom 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Rom 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Paul told the Philippians that every tongue would confess the Lord Jesus Christ, but to those who confess willingly the confession is made unto salvation. To those who confess the Lord Jesus Christ unwillingly, who never believed unto righteousness, do not have salvation. Paul explains that there is no difference between Jews and non-Jews, everyone is on the same level playing field. Whoever means whoever. There is no longer a favoritism regarding one nation. There is simply one way for anyone and everyone.
John 14:26 G3588 But the G1161 G3875 comforter, G3588 the G4151 [2spirit G3588 G39 1holy], G3739 whom G3992 [3will send G3588 1the G3962 2father] G1722 in G3588 G3686 my name, G1473 G1565 that one G1473 will teach you G1321 G3956 all things, G2532 and G5279 will remind G1473 you G3956 all things G3739 which G2036 I said G1473 to you.
The Holy Spirit is called the Paraclete, paraklētos, which means “advocate, intercessor, or comforter”. The Father sends the Holy Spirit in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Why doesn’t the Father send the Holy Spirit in his own name? As we know, everything was created by Jesus, for Jesus, and through Jesus. Jesus is before all things and by him all things consist. Jesus is the head of the church, the one rescuing us, Colossians 1. The Holy Spirit was created the chief or principality of Jesus’ ways, Proverbs 8. Therefore we see Jesus working with the Holy Spirit closely and humanity is their project. Just a side note, it is Christ in humans the hope of glory, and it is the Holy Spirit in humans, not Christ or the Holy Spirit in angels, demons, cherubim, or seraphim. Jesus and the Holy Spirit are in us and here to rescue us.
Notice what else the name of Jesus Christ does.
Acts 3:6 G2036 [3said G1161 1But G* 2Peter], G694 Silver G2532 and G5553 gold G3756 does not G5224 exist G1473 to me; G3739 but what G1161 G2192 I have, G3778 this G1473 I give to you. G1325 G1722 In G3588 the G3686 name G* of Jesus G5547 Christ G3588 G* of Nazareth G1453 arise G2532 and G4043 walk!
Speaking the name of Jesus Christ brings strength to that which never had been walked on, legs. Healing, a man born lame is not beyond the scope and power of the name of Jesus. There is power in His name. Naturally Peter has to defend his actions of bringing healing to a lame man, because no one wants spontaneous healing unless it is sanctioned by the correct religious leaders.
Acts 4:10 G1110 let it be made known G1510.5 G3956 to you all, G1473 G2532 and G3956 to all G3588 the G2992 people G* of Israel, G3754 that G1722 in G3588 the G3686 name G* of Jesus G5547 Christ G3588 the G* Nazarene, G3739 whom G1473 you G4717 crucified, G3739 whom G3588 G2316 God G1453 raised G1537 from G3498 the dead, G1722 by G3778 this one G3778 this man G3936 stands G1799 before G1473 you G5199 in health.
Not mincing words, Peter mentions again that these people crucified Jesus Christ. However these religious leaders did crucify Jesus, or more specifically, they forced the Romans to crucify Jesus for them. After a conference, the religious leaders told Peter and John not to teach the name of Jesus Christ.
Acts 4:18 G2532 And G2564 having called G1473 them, G3853 they summoned G1473 them G3588 G2527 [3altogether G3361 1to not G5350 2utter a sound] G3366 nor G1321 to teach G1909 in G3588 the G3686 name G3588 G* of Jesus.
19 G3588 G1161 But G* Peter G2532 and G* John G611 answering G4314 to G1473 them G2036 said, G1487 If G1342 it is just G510.2.3 G1799 before G3588 G2316 God G1473 to hearken to you G191 G3123 rather G2228 than G3588 G2316 God, G2919 you judge!
Peter and John answer in a perfect way. In fact, we should memorize their response and use it when confronted by religious people. They say “whether just in the eyes of the Elohim in the presence of Elohim to hear you rather than Elohim, decide”. In other words Peter and John challenge the Sanhedrin to decide if people should listen to them rather than the Elohim while in the presence of the Elohim. This council of religious leaders were attempting to stop the name of Jesus from being used for healing and deliverance. That is in direct contrast to the will of the Elohim.
The chief priests and sadducees tried to imprison the apostles, but an angel of the Lord let them out and told them to preach in the temple.
Acts 5:27 G71 And having brought G1161 G1473 them, G2476 they stood them G1722 in G3588 the G4892 sanhedrin; G2532 and G1905 [3asked G1473 4them G3588 1the G749 2chief priest],
28 G3004 saying, G3756 Was it not G3852 with an exhortation G3853 we exhorted G1473 to you G3361 to not G1321 teach G1909 in G3588 G3686 this name? G3778 G2532 And G2400 behold, G4137 you have filled G3588 G* Jerusalem G3588 G1322 with your teaching, G1473 G2532 and G1014 you want G1863 to bring G1909 upon G1473 us G3588 the G129 blood G3588 G444 of this man. G3778
29 G611 And answering G1161 G* Peter G2532 and G3588 the G652 apostles G2036 said, G3980 [2to yield obedience G1163 1It is necessary] G2316 to God G3123 rather G2228 than G444 men.
Peter answers in the same way saying that it is necessary to obey the Elohim rather than men. This time the future apostle Paul’s teacher, Gamaliel, reasons with the religious leaders, pointing out that there were other people who rose up with crowds following them, but those movements came to nothing. Gamaliel suggests that they leave them alone, citing this movement will fall unless it is from God, and if it is from God then they can’t stop it.
Acts 5:40 G3982 And they were persuaded G1161 G1473 by him. G2532 And G4341 having called G3588 the G652 apostles, G1194 having flayed them, G3853 they exhorted them G3361 to not G2980 speak G1909 in G3588 the G3686 name G3588 G* of Jesus, G2532 and G630 they released G1473 them.
Once they let the apostles go (after beating them), the movement continued, as we know. They in fact could not stop it. It became to their own detriment that they continued to persecute the apostles.
Paul now has become a disciple in Damascus. Who lived in Damascus? The Damascus Community which had split away from Jerusalem in the days when Jonathan Apphus was made a High Priest. These were Essenes, Nazarenes, Therapeutaes, and Prophets. Paul is let down the city wall in a basket and goes to Jerusalem with Barnabas. The people of Damascus were not afraid of Paul, they helped him. But the Jews found out that he had converted and they wanted to do away with Paul. Barnabas brings him to the apostles.
Acts 9:27 G* But Barnabas, G1161 G1949 having taken G1473 him, G71 brought him G4314 to G3588 the G652 apostles, G2532 and G1334 he described G1473 to them G4459 how G1722 in G3588 the G3598 way G1492 he saw G3588 the G2962 Lord, G2532 and G3754 that G2980 he spoke G1473 to him, G2532 and G4459 how G1722 in G* Damascus G3955 he spoke openly G1722 in G3588 the G3686 name G3588 G* of Jesus.
28 G2532 And G1510.7.3 he was G3326 with G1473 them G1531 entering G1519 into G* Jerusalem,
29 G2532 and G3955 speaking openly G1722 in G3588 the G3686 name G3588 of the G2962 Lord G* Jesus. G2980 And he spoke G5037 G2532 and G4802 debated G4314 with G3588 the G* Hellenists; G3588 G1161 but G2021 they attempted G1473 to do away with him. G337
Of course the apostles in Jerusalem were afraid of Paul. Paul had the power from the name of the religious leaders to kill Christians. However, now the Jews were after Paul because he converted. What changed Paul? An encounter with Jesus. Now Paul uses Jesus’ name to teach and deliver people.
Something to keep in mind is that the power of the name and reputation of Jesus comes via the Holy Spirit. Notice what happens now, Paul is completely full of the Holy Spirit. Paul then calls out demons in the name of the Lord.
Acts 13:9 G* And Saul, G1161 G3588 the one G2532 also called G* Paul, G4130 being filled G4151 [2spirit G39 1of holy], G2532 and G816 having gazed G1519 at G1473 him,
10 G2036 said, G5599 O one G4134 full G3956 of all G1388 treachery, G2532 and G3956 all G4468 villainy, G5207 O son G1228 of the devil, G2190 O enemy G3956 of all G1343 righteousness, G3756 will you not cease G3973 G1294 turning aside G3588 the G3598 [2ways G2962 3of the Lord G3588 G2117 1straight]?
11 G2532 And G3568 now, G2400 behold, G5495 the hand G2962 of the Lord G1909 is upon G1473 you, G2532 and G1510.8.2 you will be G5185 blind, G3361 not G991 seeing G3588 the G2246 sun G891 for G2540 a time. G3916 And immediately G1161 G1968 there fell G1909 upon G1473 him G887 a mistiness G2532 and G4655 darkness; G2532 and G4013 leading about G2212 he sought G5497 ones to guide him by hand.
We want to understand that there are no magic words. We do not always have to say certain words in a certain order to receive a benefit. We do have to be filled with and led by the Holy Spirit. And if the Holy Spirit says to tell someone the hand of the Lord is upon them, or come forth in the name of Jesus Christ, it is up to the Holy Spirit to determine.
Acts 16:18 G3778 And this G1161 G4160 she did G1909 for G4183 many G2250 days. G1278 [3being worked up G1161 1And G3588 G* 2Paul], G2532 and G1994 having turned, G3588 [2to the G4151 3spirit G2036 1said], G3853 I summon G1473 to you G1722 in G3588 the G3686 name G* of Jesus G5547 Christ, G1831 to come forth G575 from G1473 her. G2532 And G1831 it came forth G1473 the same G3588 G5610 hour.
Casting out demons is available because the Holy Spirit dwells within the one casting them out. If we remember the seven sons of Sceva, the demon jumped them and overcame them and the men ran out of the house naked and wounded. Humans can cast out lower ranking demons, but without the Holy Spirit more powerful demons may fight back. Notice Paul’s situation, the lady was a fortuneteller, via spirits, who worked for others. Paul cast the Python, Puthōn, spirit out of her. Her clairvoyant abilities left her and her masters were angry that she could no longer earn them money. Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into the inner prison with their feet in stocks. At about midnight Paul and Silas were singing and praying and there was an earthquake, and all the doors opened and their stocks fell off. The jailer was about to fall on his sword, but Paul and Silas did not run away. Instead they told the jailer to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for deliverance. They then went to the jailer’s house and converted the whole family, baptizing them as well.
With these two examples, we see how the name, character, and reputation, of the Lord Jesus Christ is available to people filled with the Holy Spirit. This is a key for those who want to do the will of the Lord. But Jesus told us that there would be people claiming they used his name to cast out demons and heal the sick, but that Jesus himself never knew them. In context Jesus is explaining the difference between good fruit and rotten fruit.
Matthew 7:20 G686 Yes, it is so -- G1065 G575 from G3588 their fruits G2590 G1921 you shall recognize G1473 them.
21 G3756 Not G3956 all G3588 G3004 saying G1473 to me, G2962 O Lord, G2962 O Lord, G1525 shall enter G1519 into G3588 the G932 kingdom G3588 of the G3772 heavens; G235 but G3588 the one G4160 doing G3588 the G2307 will G3588 G3962 of my father, G1473 G3588 the one G1722 in the G3772 heavens.
“Not all call me Lord Lord enter into the realm the heavens however the doer the will my Father in the heavens”
Not all those who say “Jesus is Lord”, or call him “Lord Lord”, will enter the realm of the heavens. This seems contradictory at first as we have seen that those who confess the Lord Jesus Christ are delivered, however if we remember that every knee will bow and tongue confess the Lord Jesus Christ, we see that there are those who will call him Lord Lord under duress. But then we see another group of people, some who are casting out demons and healing others, yet they don’t enter heaven either.
Matthew 7:22 G4183 Many G2046 shall say G1473 to me G1722 in G1565 that G3588 G2250 day, G2962 O Lord, G2962 O Lord, G3756 [2not G3588 4 in G4674 5your G3686 6name G4395 1did we 3prophesy], G2532 and G3588 in G4674 your G3686 name G1140 [2demons G1544 1cast out], G2532 and G3588 in G4674 your G3686 name G1411 [3powerful works G4183 2many G4160 1do]?
“Many enquire me in that day Lord Lord not thy name prophesy, and thy name demon expel and thy name miraculous power often do”
We should consider the first word here, many. Why are many people asking Jesus about their works? Why are many outside the kingdom of heaven? People using the name, character, and reputation of Jesus seem to be prophesying, casting out demons, and performing miracles. What we clearly see here is that these works do not get one into heaven.
Doesn’t this remind us of Simon the Sorcerer? We will look at him shortly.
Matthew 7:23 G2532 And G5119 then G3670 I will acknowledge G1473 to them G3754 that, G3763 At no time G1097 I knew G1473 you. G672 Retreat G575 from G1473 me! G3588 O ones G2038 working G3588 G458 lawlessness.
“And at that time I speak together, since and not ever, I come to know them, go away from me the workers disobedience.”
Since Jesus never came to know them he will speak together with them and tell them to go away from him because they are workers of wickedness. What does this tell us? It tells us that there are many people who will use the name of the Lord Jesus Christ but that do not know him. This is not by accident. Many do not want to know him, they are using his character and reputation as if they do know him, but they are using it in wickedness. Are there people enriching themselves via the Body of Christ? Are there people seemingly working for the Lord, using His name and His fame, but in reality they do not want to know him? Is it possible that we have not learned to notice rotten fruit? Many, many, many. That in itself is scary. Many will enquire and question Jesus as to why they don’t get into heaven. Many. Jesus will say to many, go away.
Were the many doing the will of the Father? Were the many doing the will of Jesus and the Holy Spirit? Is it possible that the many were doing their own will? Did they want their own fame? Did they want their own reputation? Simon did.
Act 8:9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
Act 8:10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
Act 8:11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
People thought Simon had the great power of God, but he used sorcery and bewitched people. Mageuō means to “practice magic”. Existēmi means to “amaze”, “astound”, or “bewitch”. Simon found ways to manipulate people. He used tricks, and pretended to have great miracle working power. The people didn’t know any better. Remember the PT Barnum effect? Tell people something that is vague and general and many people will think it relates to them.
Act 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
The people believed Philip and the name of Jesus Christ. All of a sudden there was another power. Not the pretend power of card tricks and shell games but the power to bring people eternal life.
Act 8:13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
Simon gets baptized too, then sees the real miracle working power of the disciples. The disciples are overshadowing Simon.
Act 8:14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
Act 8:15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
Act 8:16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
Act 8:17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
Here comes the power for everyone. The people received Jesus as Lord and Savior, then they received the Holy Spirit. Think of the Samaritans who were considered half-breeds and dogs, yet they wanted the delivering power of Jesus. Matthew 12 tells us that in His name nations shall hope. The Samaritans are technically nations, ethnos.
The Holy Spirit doesn’t only come on a person by the laying on of hands, but in this case Peter and John came to usher in the Holy Spirit.
Act 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
Act 8:19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
Simon said the same things that many people have said over the years, ‘give me the power’. The motives that Simon had were not for the benefit of others, he enjoyed his position of being considered a great man with the power of God, but Philip came to town and changed Simon’s income and power. People wanted Jesus, not magic tricks. Remember that the Samaritans loved Jesus. Jesus traveled through their region, not around it like other Jews. Jesus spoke to the people and they believed on him when he was alive. They also did not want Jesus to go to Jerusalem to be killed. However Simon was making a good living on his tricks, so he was willing to spend money to have magic hands to impart the Holy Spirit on others.
Act 8:20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
Act 8:21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
Act 8:22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
Act 8:23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
Act 8:24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
Simon was like other people who look at the ways to make money in the world. Peter tells him that his heart is not right and his proposition was wicked. Simon was in the gall of bitterness, meaning his wickedness was very deep inside him. He was jointly tied to unrighteousness, meaning he hadn’t actually separated himself from his old moral wickedness.
Let’s think about this, the Holy Spirit resided alongside great defilement in the temple for over three hundred years. Sacrificing babies to Moloch and Baal, worshipping the stars, idols, and demon gods, the booths for male and female prostitution where priests practiced sexual rituals. We are told not to grieve the Holy Spirit. We also know that there is no forgiveness for blaspheming the Holy Spirit. But it seems that it is possible for people who once received the Holy Spirit could then change their heart to use the Holy Spirit for profit and not do the will of the Father. Then when they cry “Lord Lord”, Jesus will tell them to get away from him.
2 Timothy 2:19 G3588 G3305 However G4731 [4solid G2310 1 the foundation G3588 G2316 2of God G2476 3stands], G2192 having G3588 G4973 this seal, G3778 G1097 The Lord knows G2962 G3588 the ones G1510.6 being G1473 his, G2532 and, G868 Let [6abstain G575 7from G93 8iniquity G3956 1every one G3588 G3687 2naming G3588 3the G3686 4name G5547 5of Christ]!
The seal, sphragis, means “fencing in” or “protecting from misappropriation”. The seal is a protection from misappropriation, because the Lord knows the people who are His. Those who mention the name of Christ remove themselves away from unrighteousness. While we may not know the inner intentions of another person, the Lord does, and the seal guarantees that there is no misappropriation among those calling on the name of Christ. The seal is sphragizō, the seal of the Holy Spirit. 2 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians 1:13.
Ephesians 4:30 G2532 And G3361 do not G3076 fret G3588 the G4151 [2spirit G3588 G39 1holy] G3588 G2316 of God, G1722 in G3739 which G4972 you were sealed G1519 for G2250 the day G629 of release by ransom!
Do not distress the Holy Spirit because you are sealed for the day of release by ransom. It would then seem that those calling Lord Lord were never sealed for the day of release by ransom. This is why they ask and question him. While it may sound cold and callus, we understand that if there were innocent people who really believed in someone like Simon the sorcerer and that honestly didn’t know he was a fraud, those people would still be delivered but they would not have lived to the full potential that they could have. Now we can recognize why many people are asking Jesus why they are not going to the kingdom of heaven. Many people. Many people.
Jesus will not come back to rescue Jerusalem until they speak out.
Matthew 23:39 G3004 For I say G1063 G1473 to you, G3766.2 In no way G1473 should you behold me G1492 G575 from G737 now, G2193 until G302 whenever G2036 you should say, G2127 Being blessed G3588 is the one G2064 coming G1722 in G3686 the name G2962 of the Lord.
They must say praise and honor, and speak well of the coming in the name of the Lord. They have to say it, out loud. At the time of the tribulation, those who did not enter the kingdom of heaven, meaning the Lord Lord people and the Jesus rejecters, may in fact change their minds. Those will be the people who claim that the one coming is blessed in the name of the Lord. They will want to see him, they will be glad to see him. But ask yourself, is it worth going through the tribulation to hold onto your distrust and disdain for Jesus? Is it worth going through the tribulation to make money and live well off the tithes of the Body of Christ? Isn’t it worth knowing the Lord Jesus Christ now?
Every knee will bow and every tongue confess. This means that those who reject Jesus will bow and confess. It also means that those who never did the will of the Father but used the name of Jesus for personal gain will bow and confess. The many that do not enter the kingdom of heaven will also say “blessed is he whose coming is in the name of the Lord”. The name of the Lord Jesus Christ has power and authority and when inspired by the Holy Spirit regular humans will cast out demons, and bring eternal life and deliverance to the lost in the name of Jesus. Regular humans will speak the name of Jesus and the lame will walk. The religious leaders will demand that we not speak in that name or teach in that name, but the sealed who abstain from evil will speak the Lord Jesus Christ everywhere. The regular humans without buildings, without hierarchal structures, without pensions or salaries approved by elders, will speak out the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the time to come to know him and to learn his will and the will of the Almighty Father.
