As I watched the news the other night, before going to a commercial, they showed the title of the next segment, "What's in a Name?" Of course, to spark the interest of the audience, they mentioned just a tidbit--a father in Germany wanted to give his son a name that the government would not allow. My first thought was "Adolph Hitler." (Of course I stayed tuned.) Following the commercials, the following story aired.
A father in Germany wanted to name his son Osama Bin Laden, because he believed him to be a great person. However, the German government has in place a law that prevents a parent from giving a child a name that would be detrimental to the child's upbringing and development. Obviously, the German authorities realize that indeed, there is something in a name.
It is written, "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold." (Proverbs 22:1) "A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth." (Ecclesiastes 7:1)
The name a person wears throughout life reflects who that person is. A name carries a reputation; good or bad, a name means something. If not, how do we explain Genesis 17:5? "Neither shall thy name anymore be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee." And of Abraham, we read in the New Testament, "And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the friend of God." (James 2:23)
So, What is in a name? Most people give careful consideration to what they name their children, or even their places of business. I don't believe I've ever met a child, or an adult, whose name was Judas or Jezebel. These names mean something. I have, however, met many Davids and Marys. Nor do I know of any business called "Judas's Tree Farm," or "Jezebel's Kennel." Most people are aware of what a name says; but how sad it is that the same cannot be said when it comes to religion!
"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)
"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; that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11)
When it comes to man's salvation, every other name has been outlawed by the supreme authority of God the Father! Yet, how many seek "salvation" in the names of Allah, or Buddha, or Krishna? How many call themselves Roman Catholics, Baptists, Lutherans, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Methodists, and a host of other names that originated with men.
"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, all power (authority) is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:18-20) Because many reject Christ's authority, they follow instead their own ways. They belong to churches that are foreign to God's Word, and wear names not given by the Father. Of these, Jesus declared: "Every plant, which my Heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up." (Matthew 15:13) If Jesus has all authority and power, where is man's authority to exchange His name for another?
The only "seed" commanded to be sown is the Gospel of Christ. "Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever." (1 Peter 1:22,23) Only ONE "seed" produces the "plant," the church of Christ, that God ordained before creation (cf. Ephesians 3:1-11; Romans 16:16). Only ONE "seed" grows in men's hearts and minds, and therefore, gives them a new name--Christian! "And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name." (Isaiah 62:2) "And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." (Acts 11:26) From what "seed" do all the other religions originate? "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)
From the beginning, God named His children. Why then would one who claims to love God and believe in Jesus wear another name? Jesus asked: "And why call ye Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46) "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him." (Colossians 3:17)
Where are the thanks and the glory to God in the name Methodist, Calvinist, Jehovah's Witness, Mormon, or any name other than the one God gave? There isn't any, and there never will be! Only IN Christ are we acceptable to God. Only IN Christ can we correctly wear His name. And we can be IN Christ only if we obey the pure Gospel of Christ. "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For-as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:26-27) True faith can only come from hearing the pure gospel. (cf. Romans 10:17) Have you considered His word and its divine message concerning Jesus?
So then, "What's in a Name?" SALVATION! "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) True faith was exemplified in Abraham's life and actions. (cf. Hebrews 11:8-19) True belief in Jesus Christ was exemplified in Paul's life, (cf. Acts 9:1-30; also note 13:9). True salvation is being a Christian and ONLY a Christian--in name and in deed. True love for the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit is exhibited by wearing the name of Christ. What is your "religious name?" "If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf." (1 Peter 4:14-16)
Brother Ross has done a masterful job of discussing the value of a name. How sad it is that many today are ashamed to wear the name of the one who died for them. This is not a new problem-it has been around for a long time. "For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, "I am of Paul," or "I am of Apollos," or "I am of Cephas," or "I am of Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?" {1 Corinthians 1:11-13} Even in the first century, men sought to wear other men's names. Why can't men see that the only name worth wearing, spiritually speaking, is the name of the Lord Jesus Christ! (KMG)