What's In A Name?

Is name your important? Of course it is! It sets you apart from other members of your family. It points you out as a special person. You learn as a baby to respond to your name. It’s yours and you don’t want anyone else using it. Your name represents you wherever you go. If you go to school, seek a job or buy a home, the first question that is asked is, “What is your name?” Your name is more important to you than any other name on record. It is important because it belongs to you. You can make it good or you can make it bad. It becomes whatever you are.

Your name is important to your and God’s name is important to Him. God’s name represent everything He is. What is God’s name? Abraham knew God as Jehovah-Jireh, meaning The Lord will Provide. Moses knew God Jehovah-Nissi or The Lord my Banner. Gideon knew God as Jehovah-Shalom or The Lord send Peace. Read Genesis 22:14, Exodus 17:15 and Judges 6:24 in the Bible. If you read these words carefully you will notice they are descriptive titles. But what is His name?

An angel announced to the young girl, Mary, “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in they womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS ,” Luke 1:31. The heavenly announcement was also given to Joseph: “ And she shalt bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins,” Matthew 1:21. God Himself spoke this name.

This was in fulfillment of the prophet Isaiah’s words, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace,” Isaiah 9:6. This wonderful child was to be known as the mighty God and the everlasting Father but His name is Jesus. The name of Jesus can save us from. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved,” Acts 4:12.

The name of Jesus can give us eternal life. “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,” John 20:31. The name of Jesus can bring healing to our bodies. “And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong ...," Acts 3:16. The name of Jesus can deliver from demons.

“… But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour,” Acts 16:18. Everything in heaven and earth is subject to that name. “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; “ Phil 2:9-10. When Jesus Christ ascended into heaven He gave His disciples the right to do His business in His name. His last instructions were: “ And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high,” Luke 24:49.

The Book of Acts, chapter 2, records the outpouring of this power Holy Spirit upon the believers. These men received the Spirit of Christ in them and by this life-bearing Spirit were made the sons of God. After the day of Pentecost the disciples preached in the name of Jesus (Luke 24:47 and Acts 4:12), healed the sick and cast out demons in the name of Jesus (Acts 3:6 and Acts16:18), and baptized in the name of Jesus (Acts 8:16, 10:48, 19:5). Who has the authority to use the name of Jesus Christ today? God has sons in the world today and the authority to use His name still rests with His sons. “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together,” Romans 8:16-17.

Because we believe the message of Jesus Christ we repent of our sins. Because we want to bury our past and become identified with Christ, we are baptized in His name. Because He wants to give us His life and make us His sons, He fills us with His Holy Spirit. God want to place His name upon you. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” John 1:12 .

You too can be an heir of His wonderful name!

Copied from: FDS Tract No. 6156 World Aflame Press

by: United Pentecostal Church, Baguio City Philippines

e-mail: upcbc@mozcom.com