01/09/10

Importance of names in the Bible

Matthew 1:4 [ASV]
4 and Ram begat Amminadab; and Amminadab begat Nahshon; and Nahshon begat Salmon;
Matthew 1:4 [AV]
4 And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;


Just a few minutes back I was answering a mail of a bro. from a group about names and which I prayed for today's message I got this scripture. When I saw it I thought the Lord wants me to write about genealogy but then when I saw closer it was to do with names.

Here we see that one of the ancestors of man Jesus was a person name Aram in Greek and RAM in Hebrew, similarly were Aminadab (Greek) / Amminadab (Hebrew) and Naasson (Greek) / Nahshon (Hebrew) but we see in the case of the person Salmon the Greek and Hebrew name is the given the same.

This was the same case with Jesus. The name Jesus / lesuos (pronounced ee-ay-sooce') is a Greek name but the Hebrew name is Yehosua / Joshua.

When we write our name we cannot change even an alphabet in the name because it may refer to another individual. In the Bible we see people had varying names according to the language but what was common is the meaning of the name.

All Bible names have meanings, even the name of places do. God has purpose in orchestrating names in the Bible. No person or place important to our faith building in the Bible has a name without purpose. When we put the meaning of the names we understand another perspective of scriptures.

The name 'Jesus' by which all knees, in all levels of creation bow is not the word but the understanding of the name. It is only when we know who Jesus is, and have authority in Him that there is power in that name. All the so called 'names' associated with the Lord also have meanings, they describe who He is.

Satan knowing the power of names tries to deceive people from understanding it, so misleads them with things like numerology or codes with names (understand the difference between Hebrew and other languages, during that time there were no numerical so Hebrew alphabets were used as numbers; therefore writing the word for Satan or writing 666 was the same, similarly was Jesus / Joshua or 888).

Like there is power IN the Name of Jesus, similarly there is power in being a Christian not calling one by that name.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord, we thank You for the Name of Jesus. The Name that is has power because it has your Name in it. Lord, You have our names written on the palm of your Hand. Open our minds and help us understand the beauty of the name You have given us...

We make this prayer in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scripture ]
Matthew 1:20-25
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Acts 2:38
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 3:6-8
6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

1 Corinthians 6:11
11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

John 17:12
12 While I was with them, I kept them in thy name which thou hast given me: and I guarded them, and not one of them perished, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)