THE NAME OF JESUS
God has many titles and names by which He is known in the Old Testament. God's official name was Jehovah (the self-existent One). "That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth." (Psalms 83:18) But by the name of Jesus has God revealed the saving name for all mankind to be saved. "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21)
Let us see the importance of that Name:
"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 verse says that 'His name and not names'. He has only one name which points to what He is - Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. It is the same as Emmanuel which means God with us. All the titles in the Bible are used to describe His Name - JESUS. Jesus is everything to us.
Acts 4:12 let us know that salvation is only in the name of Jesus which is the name that is above every name. (Phillipians 2:9-11). And one day every knee shall bow at the name of Jesus and very tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. It is very interesting to note that Isaiah 45:21-25 tells us that unto Jehovah shall every knee bow and every tongue confess. The name Jesus in Hebrew means Jehovah has become my salvation (Jehoshua). Jesus and Jehovah are both one and the same. Jesus himself said in John 8:58, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am." Jesus is that great I AM.
In Amos 9:11-12, the Lord Jehovah says that He will raise up the tabernacle of David and gather the heathen who shall be called by His name. This prophecy was fulfilled in Acts 15:14-17 when James proclaimed, Simeon (Peter) hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. Today God has a people (Church), the Gentiles who are called by His name (JESUS). In speaking of Jesus, Matthew 12:21 says, "And in his name shall the Gentiles trust." What name is that? It is none other than Jesus Christ.
Jesus said, "Go ye therefore , and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (Matthew 28:19). What is the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost? There is only one name not names. The name is important and the name of all three is JESUS. That is the reason as to why the apostles baptized all the converts in the name of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Book of Acts and the Epistles. They simply obeyed the command of Jesus.
There is power and authority in the name of Jesus (Mark 16:17-18). The name of Jesus is to be exalted, praised, proclaimed and mentioned. His name is holy and not to be taken in vain. It is important to remember the name of the Lord. Oh! How good it is to praise the name of the Lord. There is safety in the name of Jesus.
The apostles were persecuted for preaching and teaching in the name of Jesus. They were not forbidden to heal, to do miracles or to speak in tongues. They were threatened and commanded not to preach or teach in the name of Jesus. (Acts 4:16-18). They were counted worthy to suffer for His Name. (Acts 5:40-42)
We, the Church have inherited this name that carries authority and power. Demons tremble at the mention of the name of Jesus. Let us stand for this name, let us proclaim this wonderful name, let us love this name, let us lift up this magnificent and marvelous name of Jesus.
"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
When we call His name in faith, Jesus manifests His presence, performs the work and meets the need. The name represents God's power and work and presence. We shall keep on praising, exalting and magnifying the NAME OF JESUS.