Blog: Gary Scott
November 18, 2015
We have developed a tradition of using a phrase, “in Jesus’ name,” when we are closing our public prayers. I do this. I have noticed of late that some have developed variations of this that express the same idea. There are traditions of divine origin which some were commanded to keep. “Now I praise you that ye remember me in all things, and hold fast the traditions, even as I delivered them to you.” 1 Corinthians 11:2. And, there are traditions of human origin which place one in jeopardy.
“Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God because of your traditions…And ye have made void the word of God because of traditions… But in vain do they worship me, teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men.” Matthew 15:3, 6, 9.
“In Jesus’ name” simply means authorized by Jesus. Because we have been, in times past, aliens from god, we needed to be reconciled. “And you, being in time past alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and with blemish and unreprovable before him.” Colossians 1:21-22. “But all things are of God, who reconciled to himself through Christ,… to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself.” 2 Corinthians 5:18-19. To use the phrase properly, we must have been reconciled to God in Christ.
Christians are told, “And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17. Thus the Christian is authorized to act. We have no other one providing access or mediation to God. “For there is one God, one mediator also between God and men, himself man, Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 2:5