In the Name of Jesus

 

The first time I noticed this meaning of the word “name” was when I doing a study on the name of Christ and coming across the following the scriptures I realized what appeared to be a contradiction. Knowing that the “Word of God” shouldn’t have contradictions I proceeded to dig a little deeper:

 

Matthew 1:23, "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."

 

Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Matthew 1:25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS

 

Right away I noticed that the name given Christ was Joshua (Jesus) and there was a problem. Why wasn’t he called Emmanuel as was prophesied?

It was in trying to reconcile these two scriptures (the second witness rule) that I realized that the word “name” also actually meant something else. All of a sudden many more scriptures came into harmony. The Bible says that Christ came in the name of the Father and Christ himself said that it was in the Father’s name he did the things he did.

When Christ prayed to the Father or when he cast out demons or commanded the storm, what did he say? If we used the accepted method that people use to pray today it would sound like “In the name of Jehovah, come out”! or “In the name of Jehovah, by made whole”

Christ came in the name of the Father kind of like a Policeman comes to your door in the name of the agency they are hired to work for. They don’t say to a criminal “halt in the name of Las Angeles Metropolitan Police Department Station 43” even though that is the authority they represent. They say “freeze or I’ll shoot”, Knowing that the authority they represent is obvious because they are members of a law enforcement agency easily identifiable by their badge and uniform. We have a uniform as Christians.

And in the battle against spiritual forces our enemies know instantly who is or isn’t their foe.

 

Galatians 3:27, "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."

 

Ephesians 6:11-13, "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."

 

Romans 12:5, "So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another."

 

Romans 16:7, "Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me."

 

1 Corinthians 1:2, "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:"

 

1 Corinthians 1:30, "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:"

 

2 Corinthians 1:21, "Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;"

 

This position of “authority” and “power”, is what  the Scriptures call “in Christ”. When Christ referred to this he said:

John 14:10-11, "Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.  Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake."

 

John 17:22-23, "And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:  I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one;"

 

Christ didn’t have to invoke the name of God because he was “in The Father”. If a person is not “in Christ” invoking the name of Christ does nothing. Here is an example:

Acts 19:13-16, "Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.  And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.  And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?  And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded."

 

These fellows had no spiritual covering (no uniform or badge). They were not believers in Christ, They thought they could invoke authority were none existed. It again is like one of us walking up to a criminal and saying “stop you are under arrest” and not wearing a uniform or badge, and no gun at the ready, the criminal would either run away, beat us up or shoot us. Christ is our uniform; the whole armor of God is our bulletproof vest and the Holy Spirit is our peacemaker on our side. In the following scripture when the “seventy” commanded devils to come out, they had the authority from Christ and the devils had to obey because they recognized that authority.

 

Luke 10:17, "And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name."

 

As you read the scriptures try replacing the word “name” with the word “authority” and see if it doesn’t make more sense. Here is how this verse would read: Luke 10:17, "And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through your authority.”

 

Matthew 1:23, "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."

…and they shall call his authority, “God with us."

 

Matthew 21:9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he that cometh in the authority of King and Lord .

 

Matthew 23:39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Blessed is he that cometh in the authority of King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

 

Mark 11:9 And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord:

Blessed is he that cometh in the authority of King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

 

Luke 13:35 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until [the time] come when ye shall say, Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

 Blessed is he that cometh in the authority of King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

 

John 14:26, "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."

…whom the Father will send in my authority,

 

John 17:11, "And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are."

…keep through thine own authority those whom thou hast given me

 

Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

baptizing them in the authority of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

 

Matthew 10:41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.

He that receiveth a prophet as having the authority of a prophet

 

Matthew 10:42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold [water] only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold [water] only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

 

Acts 2:38 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.

in the authority of Jesus Christ

 

Acts 3:6 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.

in the authority of Jesus Christ

 

Acts 4:18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

in the authority of Jesus

 

Acts 5:40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten [them], they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

in the authority of Jesus Christ  (It doesn’t say speak the name)

 

Acts 9:27 But Barnabas took him, and brought [him] to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

in the authority of Jesus

 

Acts 9:29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.

in the authority of his master Jesus

 

Acts 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

in the authority of The Master

 

Acts 16:18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

in the authority of Jesus Christ

 

James 5:10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken {in the name} of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.

in the authority of God

 

Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Matthew 1:25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

The name that is translated into “Jesus” in the Bible is really the name “Joshua” and that name means "Jehovah is salvation" or “The Salvation of Jehovah”. In spite of popular opinion his last name is not Christ. Where we see the words Jesus Christ in translations, what was really written there was “Joshua the Messiah” or “God’s salvation, the Messiah” or “God’s Anointed Savior the Messiah”. These terms speak more of position and authority than any other meaning that can be given them.

 

Unfortunately in these times many think of these words as if they were some kind of magic poultice or incantation that has the power to grant the utterer whatever they are asking. They think all they have to do is slap a resounding “In Jesus’ name” on it and the magic formula is complete. It could be no further from the truth. 

 

 

Luke 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

…and shall call his authority “the Salvation of Jehovah”.

John 10:25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.

…I do in my Father's authority,

 

John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

… through his authority.

Acts 3:6 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.

In the authority of the Anointed Savior of God, Joshua of Nazareth

 

Acts 4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, [even] by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

…by the authority of the Anointed Savior of God, Joshua of Nazareth

 

Acts 4:30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

…by the authority of thy holy servant, “God’s savior”,( Joshua)

 

Acts 8:16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

…they were only baptized in the authority of the Lord Jesus.

Acts 26:9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

…contrary to the authority of…

 

I guess you get the point. Here are some more if you care to try it yourself.

 

1 Corinthians 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called [to be] saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and [that] there be no divisions among you; but [that] ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

1 Corinthians 5:4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,

1 Corinthians 6:11 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.

Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth;

Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

2 Thessalonians 1:12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

1 John 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

Zechariah 10:12 And I will strengthen them in the LORD; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the LORD.

Matthew 12:21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

John 2:23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast [day], many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.

Acts 3:16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

Acts 19:13-17 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of [one] Sceva, a Jew, [and] chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

 

Acts 4:7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.


 

Excerpt from Easton’s Dictionary - Jesus

  Je'sus, the proper, as Christ is the official, name of our Lord. To distinguish him from others so called, he is spoken of as "Jesus of Nazareth" (John 18:7), and "Jesus the son of Joseph" (John 6:42).

 

  This is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua, which was originally Hoshea (Num. 13:8, 16), but changed by Moses into Jehoshua (Num. 13:16; 1 Chr. 7:27), or Joshua. After the Exile it assumed the form Jeshua, whence the Greek form Jesus. It was given to our Lord to denote the object of his mission, to save (Matt. 1:21).