Pastor Mills Blog

The Foundation Series – DOCTRINE - Lesson 3

There are three things that define the true Church:
1. Apostolic Doctrine
2. Pentecostal Experience
3. Christian Lifestyle


“The Names and Titles of God”

(Acts 4:12/ KJV) says, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

Even though man cannot fully comprehend God, God has employed several methods to reveal Himself to mankind. One of these methods is the use of different names or titles to identify Himself.

“The Significance of a Name”

The use of names in Bible times, especially in Old Testament times, carried much more significance than it does in our day. People often used names to reveal something about the characteristics, history, or nature of individuals, and God did too. For example, God changed the name of Abram (meaning high father) to Abraham (father of a multitude), and the name of Jacob (heel catcher, supplanter) to Israel (he will rule as God). Even in the New Testament, Jesus changed the name of Simon (hearing) to Peter (a rock).

God used names as a means of progressive revelation!

For example, in (Exodus 6:3/ KJV) God said, “And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.” However (Verses 4-8) says, “And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers. 5 And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant.

6 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments: 7 And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. 8 And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I am the LORD.”

We know that Abraham used the name Jehovah in (Genesis 22:14); however, God did NOT make known to him the full significance of this name in its redemptive aspect. So, in (Exodus 6:3) God promised to reveal Himself to His people in a new way. When you read (verses 4-8) you see that he revealed Himself as their Deliverer and Redeemer (Salvation) He began to associate His name with a new understanding of His character and presence.

In addition to using names to manifest His character, God used His name to manifest His presence. At the dedication of the Temple in (1 Kings 8), Solomon acknowledged that God was omnipresent and that no temple could contain Him (verse 27). Since God fills the universe (omnipresent), Solomon asked how the Temple, a man-made structure, could contain God. Then he answered his own question by reminding God of His promise: “My name shall be there” (verse 29). Although God’s omnipresence could not be confined to the Temple, the fullness of His character as represented by His NAME could dwell there.

Solomon went on to pray in (verse 43) “that all people of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee, as do thy people Israel; and that they may know that this house, which I have builded, is called by thy name.”

God also used the concept of his name to represent the revelation of His nature and power. He told Pharoah in (Exodus 9:16), “And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.” The name of God represents His authority as well as His power.

So God’s NAME represents the following:
1. God’s presence
2. the revelation of His character
3. His power
4. His authority


Names and Titles of God in the Old Testament

Throughout the Old Testament God was known by many names or titles, each expressing a different aspect of God.

Some of the names used include:

1. Elohim (e-lo-heem) – a name often used for God in the Old Testament, expressing His greatness, glory, and divine majesty
2. Jehovah (je-ho’-vah) – used 6,823 times in the Old Testament, embracing the concept of a Deity which is self-existent (eternal) and self-sustaining; it is the redemptive name of God in the Old Testament and the unique name by which the one true God distinguished Himself from all other gods
3. El-Shaddai (el shad-di’) – emphasizing God’s almightiness
4. Adonai (a-do-ni’) – signifying God’s ownership of all of his creation



Compound Names of Jehovah:

1. Jehovah-jireh – (Genesis 22:14) – The Lord will see; will provide
2. Jehovah-rapha – (Exodus 15:26) – The Lord that heals
3. Jehovah-nissi – (Exodus 17:15) – The Lord our banner; victory
4. Jehovah-m’kaddesh – (Exodus 31:13) – The Lord that sanctifies
5. Jehovah-shalom – (Judges 6:24) – The Lord our peace
6. Jehovah-saboath – (1 Samuel 1:3) – The Lord of hosts; almighty
7. Jehovah-elyon – (Psalm 7:17) – The Lord most high
8. Jehovah-raah – (Psalm 23:1) – The Lord my shepherd
9. Jehovah-hoseenu – (Psalm 95:6) – The Lord our maker
10. Jehovah-tsidkenu – (Jeremiah 23:6) – The Lord our righteousness
11. Jehovah-shammah – (Ezekiel 48:35) – The Lord is present


The Progressive Revelation of the Name

We find that in the Old Testament God progressively revealed more about Himself as various needs arose in the lives of man, and He used names to express this self-revelation. When Abraham needed a lamb to sacrifice, God revealed Himself as Jehovah-jireh, the Lord that provides. When Israel needed deliverance, God revealed that His name Jehovah had a previously unknown significance with respect to deliverance and salvation (Exodus 6:3-8). When Israel needed protection from disease and sickness, God revealed Himself as Jehovah-rapha, the Lord that heals. When Israel needed victory over enemies, God revealed Himself as Jehovah-nissi, the Lord our banner (victory). So the names and titles described all reveal important aspects about the nature of God. However, none of them is a complete revelation of God’s nature.


The Name Jesus

But when the fullness of time had come, God revealed Himself in all His power and glory through the name Jesus! Jesus means Jehovah-Savior, Jehovah our Salvation, or Jehovah is Salvation.

(Matthew 1:21/ KJV) says, “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

Jesus is the culmination of all the Old Testament names of God. It is the highest, most exalted name ever revealed to mankind. The name of Jesus is the name of God He promised to reveal in (Isaiah 52:6) when He said, “Therefore my people shall know my name.” It is the one name of (Zechariah 14:9) that includes all the other names of God within its meaning.

The New Testament church is identified by the name of Jesus! The early church was persecuted for the name of Jesus (Acts 5:28; 9:21; 15:26), and they considered it a privilege to be counted worthy to suffer for His name (Acts 5:41). Peter stated that the lame man at the gate Beautiful was healed “by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth” (Acts 4:10). He then explained two verses later the supremacy and necessity of this name in receiving salvation when he said, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” The Apostle Paul wrote in (Philippians 2:9-11/ KJV), “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord…”

Because of the exalted position of this name, we are exhorted to rely upon the name of Jesus in all we do or say. (Colossians 3:17/ KJV) says, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus…” We teach and preach in the name of Jesus (Acts 4:17-18; 5:28). We cast our devils, speak in tongues, receive supernatural power and protection, and pray for the sick—all in the name of Jesus (Mark 16:17-18; James 5:14). Signs and wonders are done by the name of Jesus (Acts 4:30). We pray and make requests know to God in the name of Jesus (John 14:13-14; 16:23). We gather together in the name of Jesus (Matthew 18:20). We baptize in the name of Jesus (Acts 2:38).

The name of Jesus represents God’s presence, power, and work. When we speak the name of Jesus in faith, Jesus Himself is actually present and begins to work! When we call His name in faith, Jesus manifests His presence, performs the work, and meets the need!

Through the name JESUS, therefore, God reveals Himself fully. Just as God in the Old Testament progressively revealed more about His nature and His name by responding to the needs of His people, so Jesus in the New Testament fully revealed the nature and name of God through miracles, healings, casting out devils, and forgiveness of sins.

Why is the name of Jesus the full revelation of God? Simply because Jesus is Jehovah and in Jesus dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9).

Names and Titles applied by scripture to Jesus Christ include:
The Christ
The Messiah
Saviour
Redeemer
Wonderful Counselor
Fatihful Witness
The Word of God
The Truth
The Light of the World
The Way
The Good Shepherd
Mediator
Deliverer
The Great High Priest
The Author and Perfector of our Faith
The Captain of our Salvation
Our Advocate
The Son of God
The Son of Man
God
The Holy One of God
Only Begotten Son
Mighty God
The Image of God
Everlasting Father
Lord
Lord of All
Lord of Glory
Lord of Lords
King of Israel
King of Kings
Ruler of the Kings of the Earth
Prince of Life
Prince of Peace
The Branch
Root and Offspring of David
The Bright and Morning Star
Immanuel
The Second Adam
The Lamb of God
The Lion of the Tribe of Judah
The Alpha and Omega
The first and the Last
The Beginning and the End
The Amen

But after all of the names and titles of both the Old and New Testaments, ONE NAME says it all—JESUS!