Why is God’s Name so important and how is it used in salvation?

To understand the importance of God’s name, one would have to have some knowledge of how God used his name in the Old Testament. God’s highest power, majesty, and glory is in his name. In addition, the right hand of the power of God and the whole essence of God is in the power of his name.

First, let’s take a look at some of the ways that God has used the power of his name in the Old Testament. Then we will go to the New Testament to show you how God used the power of his name for the salvation of men through the born again experience.

In Genesis 32:29. Jacob knew the power and importance of a name according to his Hebrew training and traditions. The name of an individual is the whole essence of that person. It was understood that if you knew God’s name, you would be able to call on God’s power and build a relationship with the Almighty God. God’s power is in his name. Therefore, when God, in the form of a man, wrestled with Jacob, Jacob wanted to know his name. Jacob not only wanted to build a relationship with God, he wanted to know God’s name so that he would remember this event because he perceived that he had seen God face to face. God didn’t give him his name, neither did he give Moses his highest name because God’s power and the whole essence of his being is in his name. Let’s take a look at Exodus 2:13-14, 6:2-3, 9:16, 20:24, 23:21

When we look at Moses and his relationship with God, we can see how God communicated with Moses and his prophets. We can also see the importance of God’s name as it relates to his actions in a particular dispensation. Moses wanted to know God’s name but God told Moses to tell Pharaoh his name is “I AM.” This was not God’s highest name but Moses and the Pharaoh would recognize him by this name. God’s sustaining power is in the majesty and essence of his highest name.

God did not reveal his highest name to the prophets in the Old Testament. God’s highest name would be used in the plan of salvation and his name would be identified in the New Testament as Jesus Christ - Acts 4:12.

First, let me give you a number of scriptures for your research so that you can get an understanding of the power, majesty and sacredness of God’s name in the Old Testament.

Leviticus 18:21, 19:12, Numbers 6:27, Deuteronomy 18:19, Judges 13:18, II Samuel 7:13, 12:28, I Kings 5:5, 8:16-29, 9:3-7, 11:36, II Kings 21:4,7, 23:27, I Chronicles 22:8, 10, 28:3, II Chronicles 6:5-9, 7:14-20, Nehemiah 1:9, Psalms 89:24-26, *91:14-16, Isaiah 9:6, 29:23, 41:25, 42:8, 43:7, 48:9, 11, *52:6, *65:1-2, *66:5, Jeremiah 7:9-14,30, 12:16, 14:14-16, *16:21, *23:2527, 25:29, 27:14-19, 29:9, 21, 23, 32:34, 34:15-16, 44:26, Ezekiel 20:9, 14, 22, 44, *Zechariah 13:9, Malachi 1:6, 11, 14, 2:1-5, 4:2.

God gives us warnings that we should not profane his name. God’s name is sacred and we should reverence the name of God. Once we understand that God’s power is in his name, then we can understand how his name is used in the born again experience.

Now let me give you some scriptures so that you can understand the revelation of God’s name and how it was and is used in the New Testament.

Matthew 10:22, 18:5, 20, 19:29, 24:9, Mark 9:37, 39, 41, 13:13, 16:17, Luke 9:48, John 14:13, 14, 26, 15:16, 21, 16:23-26, Acts 2:38, 4:12, 8:12, 16, 9:15-16, 10:48, 15:17, 19:5, 22:16, Romans 6:3-4, 9:17, Galatians 3:27, Colossians 2:12, Revelation 2:3, 13.

If we would do our due diligence, we will understand that God’s ultimate power is in his name. Let me ask you a question? If God used the power of his name to save the Jews from their calamities in the Old Testament, why wouldn’t he use his name to save his people in the New Testament? Now, the next question is this; what is his name and how is it used in salvation? Let’s take a look at the following scriptures.

Deuteronomy 10:17, Psalms 136:3, Acts 4:12, 20:28, Colossians 1:14-19, 2:9, 10, 12, I Timothy 3:16, 6:15, Revelation 1:8, 17:14, Revelation 19:16.

Now, let’s put it all together. We know that God is Lord of lords and King of kings and he has a name. We know that God is the everlasting Father and he has a name. We know that God is the first and last and he has a name. We know that the lamb is God and he has a name. We know that God is our Saviour and he has a name. We know that God was manifested in the flesh and he has a name. We know that we are complete in him and he has a name. We know that the Godhead is in him and he has a name. We know that God shed his blood and he has a name. We know that we were buried with him using his name. We know that salvation is in God’s name. And We know that we receive God’s Spirit in his name. We know that there is only one Almighty God and he has a name. And we know that God uses the power of his name.

Now, what is God’s name and how are we saved by his name? Based on all of the scriptures, we find that God’s highest, glorious and most majestic name is Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12).

If we would look at Matthew 28:19 and Acts 2:38, we will find that we are not to be baptized in God’s titles. We are to be baptized in his name. Why? Because according to the whole Bible, God’s power is in his name. God used the power of his name in the Old Testament and the New Testament.

The salvation of God and the power of his name is used in one baptism. By using the baptism in Jesus name, we can see how we are buried with him by baptism and we can see how we are washed in his blood by the power of his name. God uses the miraculous cleansing power of his name to perform the born again experience. We now have the name of the only God of heaven and earth applied to our hearts by the Holy Spirit. The name of God has the power to wash our souls so that we can receive the complete born again experience. The titles Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are titles of God and not his name. We must be baptized in the name of God for salvation to be effective (Acts 19:1-5, Romans 6:3-4, Colossians 2:12).

God has always used his name for the salvation of his people. Why would he change? If we could understand the synergy of the scriptures, then we would see how God continues to use the power of his name for the salvation of his people throughout the New Testament.

If we search the scriptures, we will find that Matthew 28:19 is one of the most misunderstood scriptures in the Bible concerning God’s name. Unbelievers will never see the true meaning and power of God’s name in this scripture. Why? Because in this scripture, God is speaking directly to his saints not to unbelievers.

Unbelievers will never get it. They will try to use philosophy to explain this scripture according to their own traditions. The whole gospel message is based on salvation and the understanding that we are saved by and through the Holy name of one God whom we have found out to be our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (Isaiah 43:11, Luke 2:11).

This is an edited excerpt from my book, "Understanding the Trinity, Three Persons vs Three Manifestations. To order call 1-888-280-7715