What's in a Name? Pt. 2

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What's in a Name?  Part II
Written by: Kirk Van Ooteghem

        Before the foundation of the earth, God set into operation a plan
to progressively reveal the fullness of His nature to man through the use
of various names.  This celestial plan was fulfilled almost 2,000 years ago
when the Almighty God of the universe robed Himself in human flesh and
revealed Himself by the "name that is above every name"-- JESUS.  It is
true that God had given certain of those whom He had chosen glimpses into
His complete nature in the past, including such aspects as mercy and grace.
But, it was not until God came to earth in the form of a man, revealing
His new name that these qualities could be adequately understood or
appreciated by man.  In order to fully understand the progressive
revelation of the Lord's name, it is necessary to review the names of God
in the Old Testament and what they meant.
        As discussed in Part One of this article, the original Hebrew
language includes many titles or designations that were ascribed to the God
of Israel (e.g. El, Elohim Adonai, etc.).  These designations are somewhat
generic in that they are improper nouns and are simply translated "lord" or
"god."  Furthermore, these titles were not reserved specifically for the
God of Israel, but, are often used in reference to pagan gods, such as Baal
and Dagon.  However, there was one unique proper name that God chose for
Himself to distinguish Himself from all pagan gods.  This name, of course,
is Yahweh (or Jehovah in the English language).  This name was highly
revered among all Jews, as the Law required.
        Although the translation of the name Yahweh, "I AM," has deep
theological meaning, it has little to do with the relationship between God
and man.  For this cause, throughout the Old Testament historical record,
holy men, under divine inspiration of the Spirit of God, attached various
words to the name Yahweh, forming compound names, that emphasized important
aspects of God's character.  These compound names always accompanied the
completion of a new level in the evolution of the relationship between God
and Israel.
        Throughout the history of Israel, beginning with Abraham and ending
with the prophet Ezekiel, various aspects of God's nature and character
were revealed using a total of eleven compound names.  With the unveiling
of each compound name, God's people were allowed a little more insight into
God's nature, deity and greatness.  As a result, God's people were afforded
the opportunity to reach a new level of their relationship with Him.
        This expanding relationship between God and His people filled every
righteous, God-fearing Jew with great joy.  For, as they indeed understood,
God was preparing His people for the coming of the Messiah, the Anointed
One, the King of the Jews, the Savior.  Well-educated Jews knew that the
Messiah, according to Jewish Scriptures and teaching, could only be God
Himself come to earth.  There were many points of debate among various
sects of Judaism concerning the Messiah, but this fact was undisputable.
The Messiah, they believed, was coming to fulfill many things, including
the deliverance of Israel from her enemies, the removal of the necessary
division between holy God and sinful man, and the ushering in of a new
kingdom in which God Himself would reign as King over His people.
        Jesus is this Messiah.  He is Emmanuel, "God with us," in the form
of a man.  When the birth of the Savior was being announced by the
archangel Gabriel, the messenger of God, he (Gabriel) commanded both Joseph
and Mary to name the child Jesus (Mt. 1.21, Lk. 1.31).  Therefore, when
they named the child, they did so under the divine influence of God.
        The name Jesus is actually the Greek pronunciation of a Hebrew
name, Jehoshuah (more commonly pronounced Joshua).  Jehoshuah is actually
two Hebrew words combined (a compound name) which can be simply translated:
"Yahweh our Savior."  This is why the messenger of God boldly commanded,
"...and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from
their sins" (Mt. 1.21b).  Therefore, in the Hebrew, the language of ancient
Israel which was used in all sacred writings before the time of Christ, the
name of Jesus Christ actually identifies Him as Yahweh in the same manner
as all other compound names for God in the Old Testament.  This
understanding is paramount in order to correctly comprehend the Godhead.
        We, as Oneness Pentecostals, should feel proud and honored to
possess the only unadulterated, purely monotheistic doctrine of the
Godhead.  This doctrine is true, strong and eternal.  Other doctrines and
philosophies concerning the Godhead have reared their ugly heads throughout
the ages; such as, Arianism, Dual Dynamicism, Nestorianism, Trinitarianism,
Tritheism and Subordinationism.  All of these have been duly exposed as
false under the microscopes of sound logic, history, lingual interpretation
and Hebrew and Apostolic teachings.  But, the truth of ONE everlasting,
loving, delivering, redeeming, saving God encapsulated in the name of JESUS
will forever stand.  "To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and
majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever.  Amen"  (Jude 25).



Bibliography:
Bernard, David K.  The Oneness of God.  Hazelwood, MO: Word Aflame Press, 1992.

Fuller, Russell.  "Names and Name Giving."  The Oxford Companion to the
Bible.  Ed. Metzger,    Bruce M. and Coogan, Michael D.  New York: Oxford
University Press, 1993.

Rose, Martin.  "Names of God in the Old Testament."  The Anchor Bible
Dictionary.  v. 4  Ed. Freedman, David N. New York: Doubleday Press, 1992.
Stone, Nathan J.  Names of God in the Old Testament.  Chicago: Moody Press,
1993.

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*                                    *
*        Kirk Van Ooteghem           *
*        University Libraries        *
*        Ball State University       *
*        00kmvanooteg@bsu.edu        *
*        vanoo@ecicnet.org           *
*                                    *
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