JESUS IS THE NAME OF GOD
The Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit is Jesus
Volumes of books have been written about the names given to God and more than a few series of sermons have been preached about the names given to him. These few are notable—Elohim, Yahweh, Adonai, El Shaddai, and Jehovah. Although these are names we may often hear as names of God, the ESV version of the Bible does not mention any of these names. Jehovah is mentioned seven times in the King James Version; but none of the others that are listed are mentioned.
I lack access to the resources that have recorded the many names that have been ascribed to God. And I cannot explain many of their meanings. To do that correctly would require a knowledge of those languages in which those names were first written. I do not discount any of the names given to God, nor to the literature written about them. I do feel that most fall short in determining a name common to the Father, his Son and the Holy Spirit! So my focus will be on those scriptures that give to us the name of God, that seems to be missed by many in a study of scripture!
The first place in the Bible that God gives himself a name is in response to a question by Moses. “‘Then Moses said to God, ‘If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' what shall I say to them?’ God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ And he said, ‘Say this to the people of Israel: 'I AM has sent me to you.’ God also said to Moses, ‘Say this to the people of Israel: 'The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.’” EXODUS 3:13-14
An amazing scripture is found in John, chapter eight. Jesus says, “…Truly, truly, I say unto you, before Abraham was, I am.” JOHN 8:58 Although those that formatted most versions of the Bible did not treat this instance of “I AM” the same way they did in Exodus, the NKJV does: Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” JOHN 8:58 I believe that Jesus is saying that he is The “I AM!’ Further, in at least seven instances he proclaims who the “I AM” is: “…I am the bread of life…” John 6:35 “…I am the light of the world…” John 8:12 “…I am the door…” John 10:9 “…I am the good shepherd…” John10:11 “…I am the resurrection and the life…” John 11:25 “…I am the way, and the truth, and the life…” John 14:6 “…I am the vine…” John 15:5 Only the omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnicompetent “I AM” could be all of these things!
God said that “I AM” is his name forever; yet this name is rarely mentioned as a name for God. When a sermon or a series of sermons are preached about the names of God, these often are about the many ways that Jehovah, and another word used to form a compound word, can be used as a name for God. The suffix is about something that he does or has done—an attribute of God. Examples include these: Jehovah Elohim—“God is Creator” or Jehovah Jireh—“The Lord Who Provides.” According to some scholars, there are ten different variations of Jehovah in the Bible. Often these are presented as his names; but these are not his name! Some declare that YAHWEH/JEHOVAH is the only name for God; for the translation is “I AM WHO I AM.”
Again, God was called by many different names in ancient scrolls and documents; but in the New Testament, Jesus simply called him “My Father.” And most of the apostles, in their epistles, acknowledged him as “God the Father;” and they recognized the Son of God as “Christ Jesus;” but there are very few scriptures that mention the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit in the same verse. Jesus in the “Great Commission” says “…in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” MATTHEW 28:19 This statement caused a disputation within a century after he spoke these words. It continues today!
Questions about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit arose in the Catholic Church a few decades after the resurrection of Jesus; but it was about three hundred years [325 AD] before those questions began to be considered at the Council of Nicaea. The Nicene Creed was developed at this first Council. It settled a dispute within the Church by affirming the equality of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit within the Godhead; but that creed did not include a “One God” explanation.
Never resolved in any Council was a name that is common to the Father, his Son, and the Holy Spirit. More than a hundred years before the Council of Nicaea, the Catholic Church had started using the words Father, Son and Holy Spirit in their baptismal practices. They decided to repeat the commandment of Jesus, that is found in Matthew, chapter twenty-eight and verse nineteen, rather than obey his command. The Council of Nicene helped to solidify this baptismal practice; but it took another three hundred years before there was common agreement among their Churches about those important questions.
During the Reformation many of the movements, that eventually became the denominations of today, adopted most of the doctrines of the Catholic Church. It seems that they did not challenged any of their triune doctrines. While the courage of the Reformers is admirable, all of tenets of the Catholic Church should have been questioned; for the reasons the Reformation happened was because of the corruption and false doctrines of the Catholic Church. They have been busy changing doctrines and liturgies for centuries in their various councils. They have admitted that “The Church does not draw her certainty for all revealed truths from scripture alone.” The blood of those martyred by the Catholic Church cry out for the truth found in Scripture; and not for doctrines formed in the councils of men! We too must seek for the truth found in his Holy Word.
At some time in the second century, the Catholic Church started using “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” to conclude their prayers. Once again they found a way to remove the name of Jesus from another liturgy. When people end their prayers with the quote “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,” they are in violation of Jesus’ commands.
Jesus taught us that when we pray we should pray like this, … “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” MATTHEW 6:9 We should pray to our heavenly Father and hallow his name, [His name is Jesus.]; but when we ask him for anything, we must ask in the name of Jesus. JOHN 14:13-14 Although Jesus never exalted himself above the Father, in numerous places he tells us that we should ask for our petitions in his name, in the name of Jesus, a name that the Father recognizes as having all authority! When a person ends a prayer with a quote from Matthew, chapter twenty-eight and verse nineteen, he is following a doctrine of men rather than doing as Jesus commanded; for he says, “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” MATTHEW 14:13-14
Peter was there when Jesus gave the “Great Commission” to his disciples. “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” MATTHEW 28:18-20
Since Peter had previously been given the keys to the kingdom of heaven, it was he that took the position of authority on the day of Pentecost when the disciples were asked “Men and brethren what shall we do?” “‘And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” ACTS 2:38 Peter did not seem to have a problem knowing that Jesus was and is the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit nor did the early church; for all of their recorded baptisms were in the name of Jesus Christ.
Peter was confident in his declaration; for he had not only received the Holy Spirit, he had the keys to the kingdom of heaven, MATTHEW 16:19 and he knew the secrets of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus had told him and the other disciples, “…To you [the disciples] it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven…” MATTHEW 13:11 And in case Peter and the disciples needed any additional teaching or they forgot any of the teachings of Jesus, he told them, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” JOHN 14:26 I believe that we must trust the doctrine of the apostles; for it is the gospel and doctrine of Jesus Christ. Doctrines created by men in their councils, that differs from the apostles doctrine, is not truth!
Further, when one takes the position that Peter was wrong in his Acts chapter two and verse thirty-eight declaration and adopts a differing doctrine based on man’s interpretation of Matthew chapter twenty-eight and verse nineteen, that opens the supposition that all of Peter’s declarations and actions are subject to question. I cannot and will not question the holder of the keys to the kingdom of heaven, MATTHEW 16:19 who also knew the secrets of the kingdom of heaven. MATTHEW 13:11
Peter was given access to, authority within, and insight into the kingdom of heaven. He was the disciple that answered Jesus’ question, “…But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” MATTHEW 16:15-16 Further, the disciples were given commands through the Holy Spirit before Jesus was taken up. ACTS 1:1-2 Peter got his doctrine from Jesus Christ! And then Jesus told the disciples that they would be “His” witnesses after they received the Holy Spirit. ACTS 1:8 That is exactly what Peter was doing on the day of Pentecost. True Biblical beliefs cannot be based on conjecture and man’s faulted interpretations; but rather they must have a scriptural foundation and scripture witness. It must be noted that there did not seem to be a problem with baptizing in Jesus’ name nor with ending a prayer in Jesus’ name until after all of the apostles had died. I could now rest my case for Jesus as the name of God without further scripture; but there is more!
Matthew chapter twenty-eight and verse nineteen and Acts chapter two and verse thirty-eight are each unique in that each—in their own declaration context—is only mentioned once in the Bible, although some of those in the early church that were baptized in Jesus’ name are also mentioned. To me, it is little wonder that those who chose to quote Jesus’ words from the “Great Commission,” rather than obeying his command, would claim this baptismal liturgy as their own.
This tension about the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit started in the first century. Soon thereafter it became a mission of the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church claims that baptism belongs to them; for they say “…common baptism itself impels those [Christians and Particular Churches or ecclesial communities] toward greater unity, since Baptism is a gift which ‘belongs' to the Catholic Church as one of the Sacraments which Christ endowed it with.” I believe the only claim to exclusiveness that the Catholic Church can make on baptism is that they were instrumental in changing Acts chapter two and verse thirty-eight baptism to a baptism based on man’s interpretation of Matthew chapter twenty-eight and verse nineteen. They have worked for centuries to prefect a baptismal liturgy that would be universal. To them ‘belongs’ the ritual of quoting “…in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” at baptisms instead of obeying its command.
I have searched scripture witness for a name [a single name] for the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. [Two or three witnesses is a precept that God has given man for establishing truth and for the understanding of scripture.] My search was specifically for scriptures that give us the “name” of the Father. In my search for that name, [one name] of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I used only the Bible as my authority! [ESV version, except where noted.]
While some say it makes no difference how baptism is performed—“baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” MATTHEW 28:19 or “… be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ…” ACTS 2:38 others are adamant about which baptismal ritual is correct. [Martin Luther dismissed the controversy as a pedantry.] It is not a pedantry! Matthew chapter twenty-eight and verse nineteen was and is a command of Jesus Christ.
I believe that the “Great Commission” should be followed to the letter. First, in verse eighteen, Jesus makes it clear that He has the authority to give the commands that follow verse eighteen. “…All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” MATTHEW 28:18 Then he commands “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” MATTHEW 28:19 This first part of His command is still being fulfilled today. Most, if not all, Christian Churches have a foreign mission that they support. Foreign missions started with the early church and the diaspora and with Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles. This part of Jesus’ command is being followed, not simply repeated.
However, the second part of His command is simply quoted today as a part of most baptismal sacraments and is not being obeyed. Repeating a command is not the same as obeying or following a command. Again, Jesus never meant for the last part of Matthew chapter twenty-eight and verse nineteen to be quoted as a part of the baptismal [liturgy, ritual] sacrament; but rather that we should obey his command. The key to understanding his command lies in a careful reading of this scripture. It says, in part, “…baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” MATTHEW 28:19
Christians can differentiate between the references to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit when reading scripture and studying the word. Most recognize that these are not names. This scripture says ‘name,’ singular. MATTHEW 28:19 And there is an important significance to a singular denotation. Paul makes the distinction between the singular and plural when he was discussing the ‘offspring’ [singular] of Abraham. Although Abraham had more than one son, there was only one son of promise, Issac; but the covenant promise of an “offspring” was not fulfilled until the birth of Jesus Christ. GALATIANS 3:16 In order to obey Jesus’ command about baptism in Matthew chapter twenty-eight and verse nineteen, we must have scriptural support for a single name that is the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Before I look into the New Testament for my scripture witness, there is some Old Testament prophecy I want to share. “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” ISAIAH 7:14 Most recognize this prophecy as foretelling the birth of Jesus. Further, we know he was named Jesus and that Immanuel means God with us! “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” ISAIAH 9:6 This scripture says “his name shall be called,” Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace—these are not his names; but rather these are titles that his name is called! Especially interesting in this group is “Everlasting Father.” The Name of Jesus shall be called “Everlasting Father!” That is who he is; for Jesus is the Everlasting Father!
The New Testament is witness that this prophecy has been fulfilled. “‘All of this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’ (which means, God with us)’”. MATTHEW 1:22-23 The Son of God was given the name Jesus by his heavenly Father. The name Jesus was a commandment of the Father that was a part of the message delivered by the angel Gabriel to Joseph and to Mary. It is not by chance that all sons born on earth are traditionally given the name of their father. So that there could be no confusion about what the Son of God should be named, both Mary and her betrothed, Joseph, were told his name!
Matthew 1:21— 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. [ESV]
Luke 1:31— 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. [ESV]
Luke 2:21— 21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. [ESV]
The above scriptures are from the ESV version of the Bible and are given for comparison to NIV version given below. They show, in the ESV version, that the same “phrasing” that is used in identifying his name is often used to identify his titles also—“his name shall be called or you shall call his name.” I especially love the verses in Matthew, chapter one and Luke, chapter two, NIV version; for they leave no doubt as to what he is to be named! He was given the name Jesus “before he was conceived!”
Matthew 1:21— 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” [NIV] [This message was to Joseph—Mary’s betrothed.]
Luke 1:31— 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. [NIV] [This message was to Mary.]
Luke 2:21— 21 On the eighth day when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived. [NIV] [He was named Jesus!]
The previous scriptures, from the NIV version of the Bible, more clearly state that “he was named Jesus.” Although it is without dispute among Christians that the name of the Son of God is Jesus, it could become confusing with an objective reading of the Bible; for several scriptures say in part, “his name shall be called.” Anytime that this phrase is followed by any word or words other than Jesus, they are titles linked to the name of Jesus.
Again, Isaiah says, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” ISAIAH 9:6 “…in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” MATTHEW 28:19 “On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.” REVELATION 19:16 All of these instances of the use of the words, his name shall be called or in the name of or he has a name written, from the preceding scripture references are to introduce titles! We should not pray in the name of these titles nor should we ever baptize in these titles. Although titles are noted as “names” throughout the Bible, Jesus is the “name” of the Son of God—all titles ascribed to him are “who he is or his attributes.” To conclude a prayer or to baptize in any of the “names” that are titles that tell “who he is,” is to exclude the name of Jesus. Excluding Jesus in any way is the path to being antichrist!
During Jesus ministry he proclaimed, “ I have come in my Father's name…” John 5:43 The only name that Jesus has, is Jesus. Jesus is his name—Christ is who He is, Son of God is who he is, Prince of Peace is who he is, and King of kings and Lord of lords is who he is! Scripture Witness proves the following: (1) Jesus inherited his name. (2) Jesus’ name is above every name! (3) Jesus came in His Father’s name.
Jesus Inherited His Name
Hebrews 1:3-4— 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
An especially interesting statement in verse four of the preceding scripture is “…the name he has inherited…” Jesus inherited his name from the Father! Since Jesus inherited his name from the Father, the name of the Father has to be Jesus!
The Preeminence of Christ
Colossians 1:15-19— 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.
Jesus Was Given a Name That is Above Every Name.
Philippians 2:9-11— 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Ephesians 1:20-21— 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
Jesus is preeminent. Some other words for preeminent are greatest, supreme, and transcendent. All can be used to describe Jesus; for he is the image of God, Creator, and head of the Church. “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.” COLOSSIANS 1:19 And “…God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name.” Still Jesus did not equate himself to the Father. “… I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.” JOHN 14:28 Yet he was given a name that was above every name. The name of the Father is above every name! Jesus was given the name of the Father—Jesus—the name that is above every name!
Jesus said, “I have come in my Father’s name…”
John 5:43— 43 I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him.
It should be acknowledged by all that Jesus’ disciples had an insight into Jesus’ teachings that those assembled at the Council of Nicaea, and other councils, did not and do not have. For the disciples sat under Jesus’ teaching, they knew the secrets of the kingdom and the Father sent the Holy Spirit to bring to their remembrance what they may have forgotten. In every way possible Jesus declared that he had made the name of the Father known to them! “I have come in my Father's name…” The name that he came in was and is Jesus, the name of the Father!
Jesus said, “I have manifested your name to the people…” [manifested: revealed, shown, presented]
John 17:6— 6 “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.”
Further, He said, “…I have declared unto them thy name…”
John 17:26— 26 “And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.” [KJV]
And He said, “While I was with them I kept them in your name, which you have given me…”
John 17:12— 12 “While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.”
While he was here on this earth he kept the disciples in his name, the Father’s name. It was the same name that the Father had given him. He had given him a name—not the Son of God; for that is who he was and is. He named him Jesus!
Jesus Knew the Name of God!
While Jesus called him “My Father,” Jesus knew the name of his Father! The disciples also knew the name of the Father; for Jesus had told them “I have come in my Father's name…” then he declared unto his Father “I have manifested your name to the people…” and “And I have declared unto them thy name…” and “While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me…” It seems that Jesus was constantly telling the disciples the name of my Father is Jesus. It was so important to Jesus that his disciples knew the name of the Father that he told his Father in more than one way—I have told them your name is Jesus! Jesus knew the name of his Father. The disciples knew the name of Jesus’ Father. The name of the Father is Jesus!
We know that the Holy Spirit was sent in Jesus’ name:
John 14:26— 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
From the teachings of Jesus, Peter understood Jesus’ command in Matthew chapter twenty-eight and verse nineteen and gave the correct instructions on how to follow Jesus’ command on the day of Pentecost, instead of just repeating Jesus’ words!
Acts 2:38— 38 And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Both Joseph and Mary were told by the angel Gabriel to name the Son of God—Jesus—The Father’s name. Jesus said, “I have come in my Father's name…” Jesus is the only name of the Son of God. Jesus declared to his disciples in every way possible that the Name of the Father was Jesus. We are told in differing places in scripture what “his name will be called” [“… his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”] ISAIAH 9:6 The name of Jesus shall be called the Everlasting Father. And in other places we are told “who he is” [“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God;”] MATTHEW 16:16 and “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” LUKE 2:11 That is who he is, a Savior and Christ the Lord, and Son of God! Gabriel, from the throne of God, made sure that he was named after his Father before he was conceived in the womb. LUKE 2:21 Then, later, Jesus himself declared that he had his Father’ name! JOHN 5:43 Jesus is the Name of the Father! When you speak Jesus’ name, you proclaim the name of the Father—you proclaim the Name of God!
Written in December 2024
by Mallard E. Guy Jr.
Edited in January 2025
Last Edited in March 2025