"For whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13)
"And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the Name of the Lord shall be saved." (Acts 2:21)
"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the Name of the Lord." (Acts 22:16)
But what is the Name of the Lord wherein we shall be saved? To avoid confusion, we should first acknowledge that the Name referred to in these scriptures is singular, and not plural. Name -- not names. We also know from our own personal experience that we too are identified by a name -- for purposes of I.D. and legal documents. We are not dependent on titles or particular roles to validate who we are, or our name. For the record, neither is the Lord our God.
Throughout both the old and new testament scriptures, the Spirit of the Lord God has always identified Himself to His people through a Name. And in Revelation, we understand that when His enemies have once and for all been put under His feet, He fully intends to give us a new name wherein we can worship Him in s/Spirit and in truth.
In the New Testament side, the scriptures also speak of a specific Name. A Name given to us by the angel of the Lord. (Matthew 1:21-25) A Name which we specifically allude to when we pray the Lord's Prayer, confirming -- "Hallowed be Thy Name!" (Matthew 6:9) Jesus also said "many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy Name? and in Thy Name have cast out devils? and in Thy Name done many wonderful works?" (Matthew 7:22) And, as Jesus said, that we "shall be hated of all [men] for My name’s sake: but he that endures to the end shall be saved." (Matthew 10:22; Matthew 24:9; Mark 13:13)
Jesus said, "... he that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My Name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." (Mark 15:15-18)
"In His Name shall the Gentiles trust." (Matthew 12:21)
Moreover, Jesus said, "... where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:20)
Jesus said, "And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My Name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life." (Matthew 19:29)
Jesus also said, "For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in My Name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward." (Mark 9:41)
The one commonality in these scriptures is the One Name -- singular -- wherein we can have everlasting life. Let's review the scriptures so that we become clear on His Name -- in this current dispensation of grace.
Beginning in Matthew, we learn that the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, telling him that he shalt call His Name JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins.
"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. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, "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." Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called His Name JESUS." (Matthew 1:21- 25)
Indeed, Jesus was the one and only Name whereby the apostles were forbidden to preach. Jesus is the only Name given whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12) Jesus is THE NAME above every other name. (Philippians 2:9)
So then, why do we settle for titles (including in water baptism) when the Name given by the angel of the Lord is so very clear? That question is for you to respond, but I will say this. Scripturally, there is only One Lord God our Saviour and His Name is JESUS -- for He shall save His people from their sins. More to come ...
In the interim, stand in the offering plate.
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