What is His Name?

 

I suppose being called by the wrong name could become a little annoying. If it happened all the time you might even be inclined just to tune them out. A noticeable thing while reading the Scriptures is how important names are to GOD. Names have been called fossils of thought. It was GOD himself who called the first of our species Adam, which meant man or mankind. Adam then himself named others.

GENESIS 2:20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field;

GENESIS 3:20 And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.

When GOD made promise to Abram that HE had made him a father of many nations, HE changed his name from Abram to Abraham, saying "Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee" (GENESIS 17:5). When GOD appeared unto Jacob to bless him, he changed his name, saying, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel. And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins (GENESIS 35:10-11). Even Abraham's wife Sarai had her name changed by GOD to Sarah (GENESIS 17:15).

GOD also has a name, Yahweh. When the Scriptures tell us to not take the name of GOD in vain, it isn't referring to the word GOD, as in "God damn" something. GOD is not HIS name. Yahweh is, or something close to it. Originally only the consonants were written, as YHWH. The exact pronunciation was lost but the best consensus is Yahweh.

EXODUS 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

Likewise, John the Baptist, the forerunner of our Lord and Savior was so named by GOD.

LUKE 1:13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

The Lord Himself lent great weight to one's name, having renamed several of His disciples.

MARK 3:16-17 And Simon he surnamed Peter; And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:

One's name in the Scripture is not just a casual thing. Is it therefore any wonder that when HIS only begotten Son was to be born, GOD determined His name also?

MATTHEW 1:20-21 ...behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Of all the names of men, His name is the most wonderful, for in His name is power. In His name is salvation. In His name is life. In His name is the forgiveness of sins.

MATTHEW 12:21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

JOHN 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

ACTS 3:16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

ACTS 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Therefore, though we can get other men's names wrong without much loss, we would do well to make sure we have His name right. Some think it matters not, or little, if we have His name right. But then what is the purpose of a name, if it doesn't matter what that name is? Why would GOD send an angel to tell Joseph what His name was to be, if it didn't matter to GOD what His name was? Of course it matters. It matters a great deal.

Our modern Bibles have His name as Jesus. I would encourage you to study for yourself if Jesus is indeed the correct name we should call on. I expect our prayers if not our very salvation hinges upon our correct understanding of the things of GOD.

PHILIPPIANS 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

For a comprehensive analysis of His true name, see The Sacred Name or the True Name.