Family Name

If you want a clear explanation of the original names of the heavenly father, Yahweh, and his son, Yahshua, read on and find it simply ‘runs in the family’.

This article explores the name we use for the Creator, our heavenly Father, and His Son Who died for us at Calvary. There are so many things we could say on this subject, but I will try to make it simple. First of all, I have a name, Heather, which my parents gave me when I was born, and I have always been called by that name. It is the name to which I will answer. If anyone calls out my name there is an immediate reaction and I look up, even if they have called to someone else with the same name. I rejoice that my name is written in heaven and my heavenly Father knows it, and, until He sees fit to give me a new name, I shall be happy to continue using this one. There are a few titles to which I answer as well, and a good deal of information can be gleaned about me from them. I am called “Auntie” and “Sister” (which shows a natural or spiritual relationship to the person speaking). I am addressed as “Miss Anderson” (which indicates that family name passed on to me by my father, and also that I am not married). I could also be identified by my job. “Could I speak to the Research Editor?” If I go to Japan or Peru, Norway or America I will still be “Heather”, although I will understand if there is difficulty in pronouncing my name in just the way to which I have been accustomed!

Name or Title?

In the scriptures we read, “… arise and be baptised…calling on the name of the Lord.” (Acts 22:16 KJV) Also, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19) Baptism is one of the basic tenets of the faith once delivered to the saints, and in both these verses of scripture the word ‘name’ is mentioned in connection with this fundamental step in the walk of discipleship, indicating that it is to be performed in a ‘name’. What is the name of ‘the Lord’? What is the name of ‘the Father, the Son, and the holy Spirit’? ‘Lord’ is not a name - it is a title. We could equally well use another title in this scripture and say, “…calling on the name of the Mighty One” or “…calling on the name of the Holy One of Israel”. In the other scripture we see the words ‘Father and Son’ but these are not names, they are titles indicating relationship to each other; ‘holy Spirit’ is likewise not a name but a description of the Spirit who is holy. We could just as well say, “…baptising them in the name of the Creator, the Saviour and the holy Spirit.”

Halleluyah!

From the Old Testament scriptures we see the translators have either used the word ‘LORD’ when translating the tetragrammaton (the four letters composing the Almighty’s name), or they have erroneously translated it as ‘Jehovah’. In the New Testament the Saviour’s name has been rendered as ‘Jesus’. So now we get, “…baptising them in the name of Jehovah, Jesus and the holy Spirit.” (There has been no attempt to give the Third Person of the Godhead a personal name.) However, there is a problem here for it says, “…in the name” – singular, not “…in the names” – plural. There has to be a ‘family’ name common to ‘Elohim’ (Hebrew word denoting plurality of deity). That family name is YAH – the same as in hallelu-jah (or more correctly hallelu-yah), which means ‘Praise Yah’. Just look in a concordance. It may give the meaning of hallelu-yah as ‘Praise the Lord’ but it is actually a compound word – ‘halal’ (meaning ‘praise’) and ‘Yah’ (the One to be praised). So now we get, “…baptising them in the name of Yah, (the Father…)”.

Yah Saves!

What about the name ‘Jesus’? In the Encyclopaedia Britannica Volume XIII Ninth Edition page 656 we read, “The word Jesus is the form assumed in Latin by the Greek Iesous which is the transliterated form of the Hebrew Jehoshua, Jeshua, or Joshua…” The Hebrew name of the Saviour is Yahshua (see Numbers 13:16 where this name is rendered as Jehoshua and note the margin reference ‘He shall save’). The name ‘Yahshua’ means ‘Yah saves’, and it is perfectly logical to use this name for the One Who died for our sins. ‘Yah the Saviour’ – Yahshua. He came to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). So now we have arrived at the ‘family’ name, “…baptising them in the name of Yah (the Father), Yahshua (the Son) and the holy Spirit “…whom the Father will send in my name…” The Person we know as ‘the Lord’ really does have a name – it is YAH or more fully Yahweh. He has a Son who bears His name, Yahshua. The Son said, “I am come in my Father’s name…” (John 5:43) When praying to His Father about His disciples He said, “I have declared unto them thy name…” (John 17:26) which indicates that in His day the name of Yahweh was not commonly used. He says, “I will declare thy name unto my brethren…” (Hebrews 2:12) and we are His brethren. If you are one of His disciples, He will declare (Greek: gnorizo ‘Make known’) that name to you for, like as in His day, it is not commonly used, even among believers. He will do this so that, “…the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.” (John 17:26) We, having had the name of Yahweh declared to us by His Son, Yahshua, desire to continue in that name so that the love spoken of by Yahshua may be in us. I have a personal and a family name to which I answer and, as occasion demands, in which I can delegate authority to others. Yahweh the Father and Yahshua the Son have a name and in that name we have salvation (Acts 4:12) and authority over principalities and powers (Phil. 2:9-11). We love the One Who died for us, and we love His name – YAHSHUA. The blessings of Yahweh be upon you: we bless you in the name of Yahweh. (Psalm 129:8)

• SEARCH ARTICLES & THOUGHTS
  SEARCH

  RESET FORM

Read our latest thought for the week...The Living Word

New Audio Devotional

Audio Devotional Moments - April 2024
The Burning Light

Faith Mail - A Monthly Encouragement

Faith Mail April 2024
Behold Our Advocates