Can Christians Really “Name It and Claim It”? (Acts 3)

Have you ever heard of the “name it and claim it” movement? It encourages people to “speak into existence” whatever they want, and if they really believe it, it will happen. Some of you have probably listened to some of these teachers, and maybe you've learned some helpful things. That's great! But at least a part of their teaching is very dangerous, and that's what we want to address in today's podcast.

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Before we get to Acts chapter 3 to answer the question, let's look at 

A Brief History of the Word of Faith Movement:

The Word of Faith movement, also known as the "prosperity gospel" or "health and wealth gospel," has its roots in the early 20th century, with influences from several theological streams and key figures. Here is a brief history of its development:

Early Influences

• New Thought Movement: The New Thought movement, which began in the late 19th century, emphasized the power of the mind, positive thinking, and the belief that thoughts could influence material reality. Phineas Quimby (1802–1866) was an American spiritual healer, mesmerist, and the founder of the movement. (Not a Christian.)
• Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, was one of Quimby’s patients. Although Eddy later developed her own theological system, elements of Quimby’s teachings can be seen in the early foundations of Christian Science.
• E.W. Kenyon: Often considered a foundational figure in the development of the Word of Faith theology, E.W. Kenyon (1867-1948) blended elements of New Thought with traditional Christian beliefs. Kenyon's teachings emphasized the power of words and the concept of "positive confession."

Core Teachings

• God-like Nature: Copeland has controversially suggested that Adam had a god-like status before the Fall, reflecting the idea of humans being little gods or having divine attributes. Jesus' redemptive work aims to restore what was lost in the Fall, allowing believers to reclaim their authority and dominion through faith. 
• Positive Confession: Copeland teaches that Adam had the power to speak things into existence, similar to how God created the world with His words. Believers can have this same power:
• “Words are spiritual containers, and your words create your future.”
• "Our words create our destiny."
• The faith-force: Copeland portrays faith as a tangible, powerful force that believers can harness to influence their circumstances and manifest God's promises in their lives.
• “Faith is a spiritual force. It is substance. Faith has the ability to effect natural substance.”
• This concept is often summarized by phrases like "speak it into existence" or "name it and claim it," emphasizing the power of positive confession.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NLT) 3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.

Today we’re going to study a chapter that the Word of Faith guys love… but misinterpret. We’re going to show you what it’s really saying, not what our itching ears want it to say. 

The Healing

Acts 3:1-2 (NLT) 1 Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. 2 As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple.

• (Pillar New Testament Commentary) Even though Jesus had implied that he would replace the temple in the plan and purpose of God (cf. Mt. 12:6; Jn. 2:19-22; 4:21-4), his disciples did not immediately disengage themselves from the temple and separate themselves from the traditional practices of their religion…. The temple area remained an important context for that witness until they were excluded from it by mounting opposition to the gospel. 

Acts 3:3-6 (NLT) 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money. 4 Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. 6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”

• Expecting some money: major problem with name it and claim it theology: they're the ones expecting some money! So many of them exploit the poor, needy, and desperate
• Examples?
• Takeaway: be careful which ministries you support 
• Get up and walk: But what about physical healing? the beggar would get that for sure. is it something that we can claim in the name of Jesus whenever we need it? Not exactly.
• Miracles still happen today, but we do not have the power to demand them. Related: https://www.pursuegod.org/should-we-believe-in-miracles-today/ 
• The purpose of miracles in scripture was to authenticate God’s message. That’s why we often see miracles tapering off after God’s messenger has been validated. John 20:31
• Even in Jesus’ ministry on earth, his miracles tapered off after a while. He said sign-seekers were wicked and perverse. Matthew 16:4
• God can still do whatever he wants, even signs and wonders. But the ongoing miracle in the church today – the thing that validates our message – is love. Galatians 5:22-23
• In the name of Jesus: The power is in Jesus’ name, not in Peter’s words. The problem with the “name it and claim it” mindset is that it minimizes Jesus and maximizes us. Only God has the power to speak things into existence.

Acts 3:7-8 (NLT) 7 Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. 8 He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.

• Sounds more like a Name It Claim It passage, right?!
• But let’s read on…

The Opportunity

Acts 3:12-13 (NLT) 12 Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd. “People of Israel,” he said, “what is so surprising about this? And why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness? 13 For it is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God of all our ancestors—who has brought glory to his servant Jesus by doing this.

• Peter saw his opportunity - interesting choice of words
• Name it claim it teachers “see their opportunity” to
• Ask for money, often exploiting the poor
• Elevate themselves
• But pay attention to Peter’s “opportunity”...

Acts 3:16 (NLT) 16 “Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed—and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ name has healed him before your very eyes.”

• Faith in Jesus' name. He says it twice. 
• The point: the power is in Jesus’ name
• Not our faith! In fact, our faith is weak
• It’s not about the size of your faith, it’s about the object of your faith
• Not our words! We have no power to speak things into existence - we are not “little gods”
• Notice which prayers are answered:
• John 15:7 (NLT) But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!
• 1 John 5:14-15 (NLT) And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. 15 And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.
• Matthew 6:10 (NLT) May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
• Peter was aligned with God’s will when he spoke words of healing over the crippled man. 
• We can’t just order God around. The more we are aligned with Jesus, the more we can pray according to his will. 
• Name it claim it objection: “But it’s always God’s will that we have health and wealth.” No!
• Paul's Thorn in the Flesh: In 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, Paul speaks about a "thorn in the flesh" that he pleaded with the Lord three times to remove. However, God responded, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 
• Trophimus: In 2 Timothy 4:20, Paul mentions that he left Trophimus sick in Miletus. This implies that despite being a close associate of Paul, Trophimus was not healed at that time.
• Timothy's Frequent Illnesses: In 1 Timothy 5:23, Paul advises Timothy to take a little wine for his stomach and his frequent illnesses. This indicates that Timothy had ongoing health issues that were not miraculously healed.
• Jesus himself: Acts 3:18 (NLT) 18 But God was fulfilling what all the prophets had foretold about the Messiah—that he must suffer these things.
• Even Jesus suffered! So must YOU.
• The point: God never promises health and wealth to his followers. So what does he promise?

The Promise

Acts 3:19-20 (NLT) 19 Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. 20 Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah.

• If we can’t just “name and claim” whatever we want as followers of Jesus, which promises can we expect to receive from Jesus? Acts 3 answers the question:
• Forgiveness of sins. 
• Spiritual promise
• Past, present and future.
• Times of refreshment.
• Earthly promise.
• Spirit-filled life
• John 7:38-39 (NLT) 38 Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” 39 (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him….)

Acts 3:26 (NLT) 26 “When God raised up his servant, Jesus, he sent him first to you people of Israel, to bless you by turning each of you back from your sinful ways.”

• Notice the real “blessing”...
• We can’t name and claim health and wealth. But here’s what God does promise: forgiveness and refreshment. That’s a better blessing!