What's In a Name?

by Hallie Gipson

Merriam Webster defines the word 'Name' when used as a noun, a verb and an adjective. Definitions include:

Noun

• a word or phrase that constitutes the distinctive designation of a person or thing
• a word or symbol used in logic to designate an entity

in the name of

• by authority of
• for the reason of

Verb

named; naming

transitive verb

• to give a name to
• to mention or identify by name
• to mention explicitly

Adjective

• of, or relating to, or bearing a name
• having an established reputation

 

In A.W. Tozer's book, “The Knowledge of the Holy”, he tell us that “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” 

So what do we think about the Triune God? Do we honor Him as high and Holy? Is our worship of Him fitting because He is the ‘name above all names’? And do we exalt Him as the only Name through which we can be saved?

God’s names and attributes as we know them are the sum of who He is as described in His Word. Of course, we can never completely know Him, or adequately describe Him. Our descriptions of who He is are feeble at best. Why? Because we are finite and He is infinite. He is high and holy, we are not. He is God of all creation, the Potter, and we are the clay. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9) So whatever we can say or think about God is but a drop in the bottomless ocean of who He is.

When God speaks to man, He identifies Himself as he did to the prophet Isaiah. “I am the Lord, that is my name.” (Isaiah 42:8)

Scripture also tells us that God acts, or is entreated to act, “For His name’s sake.”

·       Psalm 23:3 “He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”

·         Psalm 25:11 “For your name’s sake, O Lord, Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.”

·         Psalm 31:3 “. . . For Your name’s sake You will lead me and guide me.”

·         Psalm 79:9 “Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name.”

·         Psalm 106:8 “Nevertheless He saved them for the sake of His name”.

·         Psalm 143:11 “For the sake of Your name, O Lord, revive.”

·         Isaiah 48:11 “For my own sake, for My own sake, I will act; For how can my name be profaned.”

 

Men of the Bible who had an encounter with God wanted to know “What is His name?” (Exodus 3:13)

This was Moses’ question when he was speaking with God at the burning bush. God had given him a mission to free His people from bondage to Pharaoh in Egypt. “Therefore, come now, and I will send you to Pharaoh, so that you may bring My people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt.” (Exodus 3:10) . . . “Then Moses said to God, “Behold, I am going to the sons of Israel, and I will say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you.’ Now they may say to me, ‘What is His name?’ What shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; (Exodus 3:14) God, furthermore, said to Moses . . . This is My name forever, and this is My memorial-name to all generations.”  (Exodus 3:15)

When Saul was converted on the way to Damascus he “fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting . . .” (Acts 9:4-5)

Jesus prayed to the Father for His disciples – that they would be ‘kept’ in His name:

“. . . Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are.”  (John 17:11)

In the book of John written by the Apostle John, who was a disciple of Christ and an eye witness to Jesus’ ministry, we are given the main reason John wrote his account:

“Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.”  John 20:30-31

In the account of the arrest of Peter and John in Acts 2, Peter is giving a Spirit-filled answer about healing a sick man. His audience is the rulers, elders, and scribes who asked “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?” The last statement of Peter’s reply leaves no doubt about the name that saves:

“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”  Acts 4:12

Why is Jesus’ name so high and exalted and who bestowed this title of honor on Him?

“. . . God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow . . . and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  Philippians 2:9-11

 

In Revelation 21 and 22 we are given a glimpse of the New Heaven and Earth: There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.”  Rev. 22:3-5

“The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.”  Revelation 22:17

Come to Jesus today!! He is the only Name that can save and the Name worthy of all our praise!