What’s In A Name?

There used to be a great deal of value placed on someone’s name.  For instance, how many sons have wanted to live in such ways as to uphold their dad’s good name?  The Bible records, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold” (Prov. 22:1).  Because of one’s “good” name, people can feel confident and secure when dealing with others.  Likewise, when one’s name has been marred, it can lead to difficulties in trust.  If this happens, it becomes extremely difficult to earn back the reputation that was lost.

            Some might say that there is really nothing in a name.  Perhaps you have heard the old saying, “a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet”.  Well, that might be the case for roses, but is that the way it is for men?  Let us try that theory.  How many men do you know that are named Judas?  Probably not a great number.  Many parents shy away from naming their sons such due to the reputation of Judas Iscariot.  In another example, how many women do you know that are named Jezebel?  Again, probably not a great number due to the name’s reputation.  That is evidence that we place value on name’s.  Also, take for example the importance of the name of a married woman.  My wife honored me years ago by taking my last name as her own.  How do you think I would feel if she decided one day that she wanted to take another man’s name?  Rightfully so, it would hurt and upset me.  She is my wife, not another man’s.  Thus, we can see that names matter.

            With all of that being said, there is one name that deserves our study.  While writing what we call the book of Acts, Luke stated, “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).  This shows us the spiritual importance of a name.  There is one particular name that is of supreme value when it comes to our salvation.  To identify this name, one needs to read the previous two verses in Acts chapter four.  “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.  This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner” (Acts 4:10-11).  The name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth is the only name by which we “must be saved”.  Please notice the word, “must”.  Salvation cannot be obtained through any other than Jesus.  The Lord Himself proclaimed, “I am the way, the truth, and the life:  no man cometh unto the Father , but by me” (John 14:6).  Therefore, the name of Jesus is a great value.

            Some first century Jews understood the importance of the name of Jesus.  As such, they wanted the apostles to stop teaching in this name.  Luke wrote, “But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.  And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus” (Acts 4:17-18).  These Jewish leaders tried to suppress the name of Jesus, but such was folly.  In a noble declaration, Peter and John said, “…Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.  For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20).  It is that attitude and conviction that must still be present today.  There are many today who want the name of Jesus to be subdued.  Some want Christians to compromise in saying that there are other names/ways to God than Jesus.  We must never be ashamed to declare His name.  In fact, Jesus warned about those who would refuse to do such.  “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.  But whosoever shall deny me before me, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 10:32-33).

            In closing, let us reiterate the value of a name.  Do not let modern teachings and philosophies deceive you into believing that a name does not matter.  In fact, when it comes to salvation, the only name that matters is Jesus.  Either we will acknowledge that now, or we will acknowledge that then.  “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; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:9-11).
~ Corey Barnette