What role does "His name" play in the proclamation of repentance in Luke 24:47? Setting the Scene “and in His name repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:47) What “His Name” Signifies • Identity – Jesus is explicitly identified as the promised Messiah (Luke 24:46). • Authority – A name in Scripture carries legal power; acting “in His name” means acting under His commissioned authority (Matthew 28:18–19). • Character – His sinless life, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection back every call to repent (Romans 1:4). • Exclusivity – No other name carries saving power (Acts 4:12). How “His Name” Shapes the Call to Repentance • Makes the Message Christ-Centered – Repentance is not generic moral reform; it is a turning specifically to Jesus (Acts 20:21). • Supplies the Basis for Forgiveness – Only His atoning blood satisfies divine justice (Hebrews 9:22). • Imparts Divine Authority to the Messenger – Disciples speak on His behalf, just as ambassadors carry a king’s seal (2 Corinthians 5:20). • Invites Personal Trust – Believing in His name brings life (John 20:31). Practical Outcomes for Proclamation • Boldness – Knowing His authority emboldens witness (Acts 4:13). • Clarity – The message stays focused: repent and believe in Jesus, not in human merit. • Universality – “All nations” are offered the same Savior, eliminating ethnic or cultural barriers (Galatians 3:28). • Assurance – Forgiveness is guaranteed because it rests on His accomplished work, not ours (1 John 2:12). Supporting Snapshots from Acts • Acts 2:38 – “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” • Acts 3:16 – Healing and salvation credit “faith in His name.” • Acts 10:43 – “Everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.” Take-Home Summary His name is the banner under which repentance is preached, the authority behind the command, the guarantee of forgiveness, and the sole object of saving faith. Remove His name, and the call loses its power, purpose, and promise. |
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