Shaky Pillar #7
Distraction over Names
“Likewise, it is proper to use God’s name, which is revealed in the Bible, whether we pronounce it ‘Yah-weh,’ ‘Jehovah,’ or in some other way common in our language. What is wrong is to fail to use that name” (You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth, Copyright 1982 by Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, Page 44).
When God commissioned Moses to deliver the Hebrews from Egyptian oppression and to lead them to the land of promise, the man had a reasonable question, and God provided a revealing answer. “Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? What shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, Jehovah, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name forever, and this is my memorial unto all generations” (Exodus 3:13-15). The name “Jehovah,” derived from the Hebrew expression “I AM,” refers to the Lord’s self-existence. It is a name expressing eternality and power. It is certainly good to know this name and hold Him whose name it is in the highest awe and deepest reverence.
Even so, many righteous men never heard that name. “God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am Jehovah: and I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, as God Almighty; but by my name Jehovah I was not known to them” (Exodus 6:2-3). When Moses took up the courage to inquire about God’s personal name, he showed interest in information that had never before been revealed. Moses lived more than twenty-five centuries after creation, so in all that time, no one knew the name Jehovah, not even the patriarchs to whom He spoke directly. For that matter, observe that the name is altogether absent from the twenty-seven books comprising the New Testament. Since the name has been revealed, it should not be ignored, but considering how many godly men lived righteously before it was ever known and that it never appears in the holy writ of the present covenant, neither should its importance be exaggerated.
Jehovah is an excellent name, worthy of the highest esteem, but it’s not His only name. “Thou shalt worship no other god: for Jehovah, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God” (Exodus 34:14). He has many names and titles. Most people have a first name and a last name, and many, especially in America, have a middle name in between. Some might even have more than one middle name. Certain folks may have titles besides their names, like “Doctor,” “Officer,” “Your Honor,” “Captain,” or “Sensei.” There are nicknames that often get used even more often than given names. It should come as no surprise, then, that the Lord God Almighty Jehovah is known by many epithets and that He has revealed these throughout Scripture. “Jehovah” is special, to be sure, but it is not exclusive.
What is exclusive is the name whereby salvation is obtained, and that name is not “Jehovah.” Referring to “the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead” (Acts 4:10), the apostle Peter declared, “In none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). “Jehovah” is a good name, but the name that brings salvation is “Jesus Christ.” Let the focus settle here.
All that is done must be done in the name of Jesus Christ (Colossians 3:17). It is faith in this name that brings salvation (John 20:30-31; I John 3:23). It is the confession of this name that saves (Romans 10:9-10) and which glorifies God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11). And it is baptism in this name (Acts 19:5) that affords remission of sins (Acts 2:38).
Through Isaiah the prophet, God foretold, “The nations shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory, and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of Jehovah shall name” (Isaiah 62:2). Insomuch as the name “Jehovah” never appears in the pages of the New Testament, “Jehovah’s Witnesses” cannot possibly be the name of prophecy. Rather, the people of God, through the gospel, are called by the name of the Savior Jesus Christ. “The disciples were called Christians” (Acts 11:26). This name, revealed plainly by inspiration, is one that honors Him who shed His blood so that sinners might be saved.
