GOD'S

NAME

IS

NOT

JEHOVAH

Pastor Harold BallewCopyright1979

Printed in the U.S.A.All rights reserved

"Not unto us, 0 Lord , Not unto us, but unto thy name give glory . . ."

Psalms 115:1A

CHAPTER I

DO YOU KNOW HIS STORY OR HIS NAME?

His father gave him only one name. But history changed all that. While his father was a King, the son distinguished himself in other ways. He never lost a bat tle. History records no retreats. His armies were destined to rule the world. And they did; from the coast of Africa to India. In fact through his efforts the east merged with the west for the first time in history. His influence was so great that an era of history, Hellenism, began because of his many conquests. Tragedy struck at the age of 33. He became sick with a fever. In two short weeks he lay dead. For the next fifty years his generals fought among them selves to control the empire he left behind. All the while he lay wrapped in gold in a glass coffin on display in the city that was named after him . The city is called Al Iskandarijah in Arabic but you know the city as Alexandria. and the man as Alexander the Great.

All of this took place over 1600 years ago and yet had I first revealed his name you would have known about him. Why? Because names, not merely facts and history, are important.

NAMES ARE IMPORTANT

When Jesus prayed, the disciples asked him to teach them to pray. He began his prayer this way, "After this manner therefore, pray ye, Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name," (Matthew 6:9). Notice the importance Jesus placed on God's Name. It is a holy name, a sanctified name, a name that you must not use lightly. The Name of God is hallowed, "Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name." Our names are very important too. I have tried over the years to learn the meanings of certain names. Why? Because they are important to us. Parents today are not as conscious of the importance of a child's name as they were years ago. However, in the Bible, names were given to reflect a certain characteristic. There was so much meaning attached to a name, that sometimes God would even change a name to reveal the character that he was going to build in that person's life. As an example: One time a man wrestled with an angel of God. His name was Jacob, whose name means "to supplant" or follow after". Jacob prevailed and asked the angel for a blessing. What blessing did God give to him? God changed his name? God changed his name to Israel". That was the blessing! Israel means "ruling with God". Better than "sup planter", isn't it? Another name that God changed was Saul's. Saul means “longed for", and I believe that God longed for Saul to stop persecuting his church and start serving Him. And so when He called Saul to serve Him, God changed his name to "Paul" which means "little". Paul called himself "the least of the Apostles", although he wrote most of the New Testament. Names are very

significant, aren't they? My first and only son is named David. I didn't know what I was doing at the time, but that name means "beloved son". I have tried since then, without success, to have another son; I now have five daughters. To me, David's name is now very appropriate. Everyone's name is very important. If you want to get someone's attention, you call their name. Salesmen use your name, especially your first name, in order to get your attention. Have you noticed that? I want to keep my sales resistance up, so I ask them to call me "Mr. Ballew". When I want my wife's attention I say, "Christine", and whatever she's doing she stops and looks. If someone called your name right now, you would stop and look. Yes, you would. Try it . . . Call someone's name out and they will stop and look at you. No matter what they are thinking they will stop and look. Why do people respond so quickly to their name? Because your name is the single most important word to you. Do you want to impress someone? Simply remember their name.

GOD'S NAME IS NOT JEHOVAH

So, we have talked about the importance of names. There is one name, however, that is more important than any other name in the world and that is the Name of God. The prophet Isaiah said that "God's people shall know His Name". The Name of God plays a significant part throughout the Bible. Before we dig too deeply into the true Name of God let me point out a danger that exists today! The danger is this: many people of God have become complacent. They are not using God's true Name! They have shortened, abbreviated or altogether ignored God's revealed Name today.

This, I realize, is a sweeping statement, but the facts bear me out. To begin with, God's Name is not Jehovah"! Sincere Christians the world over have carelessly, perhaps thoughtlessly, embraced this man-made name. The name "Jehovah" conveys none of the majesty and awe that the Name of God should convey. Just where did this name come from? How did the Christian community come to embrace this name? To discover the answer to this question, let's go back in time when Israel had just escaped the slavery of Egypt. God gave 10 commandments to the people of Israel to govern their lives by. One of the 10 commandments of God was, thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain," (Exodus 20: 7). The Hebrews began to fear using God's name "in vain". Instead of speaking or writing it, they replaced it with the word Adonai (Hebrew) which is "Lord" in English. Only the High Priest was allowed to use the Name, and he only once a year. Every time the true Name of God appeared, the translators and writers put the word Adonai in its place in the scriptures. This practice went on so long that they simply forgot how to Pronounce God's Name! It is important for you to see and capture this thought. Can you imagine the Hebrew people not using God's Name for such a long time? And losing the ability to pronounce it? They did! They had forgotten! We do know how the Name was spelled, that wasn't lost. But because the Name consists of all consonants, we don't

know how to pronounce it. God's Name is now called the "Nomen Tetragrammaton", or the ..Name of Four Letters", ..JHVH". Those were the letters in the Hebrew language that spell the Name of God. It is interesting to note that Jesus even upheld the practice of not speaking the "Name of Four Letters". When Jesus spoke of God, while he was here on planet earth, he used the same word that the Jews used, Adonai or Lord. So now the moment of truth . . . Where did the name "Jehovah" come from? Man took the four letters from the Hebrew, which are consonants, and took the vowels of the word Adonai, and together they make the name "Jehovah".

JH V H (Nomen Tetragrammaton)

A D 0 N A I (lnt'l. Bible Ency.)

J A H O V A H

It is significant to note, however, this is not God's true Name. May I ask you a question? If I walked up to you and your name was Dave and I called you Tom, would you respond to me? I doubt it. You wouldn't even look at me if I called you by the wrong name. What makes you think that God listens and responds to a name that is not His? God's Name never was, never has been, and never will be “Jehovah"! It is by all accounts a man-made word. Let's stop here for a moment and reflect on the two ways a person can read the Bible (1) He can read into the Word of God what he wants to, or (2) he can read out of the Word of God what God has placed in there. God wants us to do the latter, namely, read out of the Word of God what is there. Although the word "Jehovah" appears in many translations, you will not find “Jehovah" in any of the original manuscripts! Sadly, today this word "Jehovah" has been so successfully planted in the literature, minds, theology and the study of the Word among Christians, that it is now popularly accepted as the Name of God. So much so, that the Jehovah Witnesses have even published a new bible, and in the Jehovah Wit nesses' bible many places in the New Testament where the word Lord appears, they put the word "Jehovah". Notice the subtlety here. It begins to make a person think that there are two gods as they read this "translation"; one whose name is Jesus Christ and one whose name is "Jehovah". I personally believe that's exactly what some men want to do. They want to put forth the idea that there is more than one God. An idea that is abhorrent to God. Let the scriptures speak for themselves on this vital point: "Hear 0 Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord", (Deut. 6:4). This problem began because the Hebrews did not want to speak the Name of God fearing that they might profane it, so the pronunciation was lost. However, I don't think it poses a problem. I believe that God planned it that way! I believe that there was a reason for allowing the pronunciation of that wonderful name to be lost in antiquity. Why? Because God had a better name to give to His people.

IN SEARCH OF GOD'S TRUE NAME

As we continue to search the scriptures for the Name of God, we find the following conversation by a man named Agur. This man came to his friends and complained about the problem of discovering the Name of God. Agur makes this statement: "Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man. I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy." Then he goes into a series of questions, which he knows the answers to, except the last one: "Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? (God) Who hath gathered the wind in his fists? (God) Who hath bound the waters in a garment? (God) Who hath established all the ends of the earth? (God) What is his name and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell" (Proverbs 30:1-4). Agur knew the answers to all the questions except one! Agur didn't know the Name of God or the Name of the Son of God! Of interest to us is the manner in which Agur asks the question . . . He does so in a way that suggests that the Name of God and the Name of His Son are one in the same. But, concerning God's Name, one thing is certain, it was not "Jehovah"! Isn't it interesting to note that Agur wanted to know God's Name, and His Son's Name? It was important to him and it should be important to us. The Old Testament treats God's Name as a mystery. We will investigate several passages referring to His Name and see how God chose to reveal it.

HIS NAME IS WONDERFUL

In Judges Chapter 13 we find a conversation between Manoah, the father of Samson, and The Angel of the Lord. "And Manoah said unto the angel of the Lord , I pra y thee, let us detain thee, until we shall have made ready a kid for thee. And the angel of the Lord said to Manoah, Though detain me, I will not eat of thy bread. And if thou will offer a burnt offering thou must off er it unto the Lord; for Manoah knew not that he was an angel of the Lord . And Manoah said unto the angel of the Lord , What is thy name, that when thy sayings come to pass we may do thee honor? And the angel of the Lord said unto him, Why asketh thou after my name, seeing it is secret?", (Judges 13:15-18). Why is the angel reluctant to give out his name? To answer this we must remember that names reveal character and this angel did not want to fully reveal who he was. But, the angel did say "Why asketh thou after my name seeing it is secret?” The word "secret” would be better translated "wonderful". The angel's name was "wonderful... The full impact of this statement will hit you when you consider two other scriptural passages. But first let's finish reading the narrative here in the book of Judges (13:22), "And Manoah said un to his wife. We shall surely die. because we have seen God". The parents of Samson said they had seen God and I believe they did see God, Jesus Christ, manifesting him self as the "Angel of the Lord". This is called a theophany of Christ, a physical appearance of the invisible God. The Bible says that Jesus Christ "is the image of the invisible God". (Colossians 1:15). He is the complete expression of the invisible God. The Hebrew Prophet Isaiah spoke prophetically of the birth of Jesus Christ. He describes him this way, (Isaiah 9:6). "For unto us a child is born. unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called

Wonderful. Counsellor. The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. "Did you notice that Isaiah said "His Name shall be called wonderful . . . " "The mighty God", "The everlasting Father"/ The Angel Manoah spoke with was God. The Angel said his name was "wonderful". Isaiah said that Jesus Christ's name "shall be called wonderful" . . . Can you see the beauty of God unfold before you as the Word of God reveals her secrets? Yes, it is obvious to you, isn't it? But there is more, much more!

ONE NAME

When God spoke his Name throughout the Old Testament, He would use the Name of Four Letters UH VH), and attach a descriptive term to it. Such as "God, the healer", "God, the provider", or "God, the deliverer". But Zechariah prophesied that in the end days God's Name would be one Name. "And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: In that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one." Zechariah was talking about the last days. When did the last days begin? Peter stood up on the day of Pentecost and said that these are the "last days". And we are still living in the last days now. That is why there are so many difficult, travailing times. All the wickedness, corruption, inflation, and degeneration that we see is because we are presently in the last days. And this is the time when God said His Name shall be one Name". One Name. Not two, not three, not four, not five, not ten. One Name. And in this Name we should find all the characteristics and attributes of the One True God. There would no longer be different names to describe different characteristics of God. Just one Name. What is the Name that God has planned to give to the world? The Name that He has given for the end times is found in the Old Testament over 100 times. As an exam ple, here is one instance where God's Name appears in the Old Testament “.Behold God is my salvation , I will trust and not be afraid for the Lord my God is my st rength and my song, he also has become my salvation". (Isaiah 12:2) The Hebrew word for salvation" is Yeshua. Now let's read it again, but this time let's place the Hebrew word for salvation" in the text. Here is how it now reads: "Behold God is my Yeshua, I will trust and not be afraid. . . He also is become my Yeshua". .”Yeshua." God has become my Yeshua." Did you know that this Hebrew word when translated into English is spelled "JESUS"? Now read that passage of scripture, it will almost take your breath away as the revelation of God rushes over you. You can see that God's Name hasn't been hidden, it's been there all the time. You can begin in the book of Exodus and find the Name of God all the way through Malachi, because this book centered around the person and the Name of God, Yeshua" which is Hebrew for "Jesus". Let this.soak in" for a while.

The identity of God is very significant. Here is something very important that Jesus said concerning God's identity, "l thank thee. Oh Father. Lord of Heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so. Father. for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered unto me of my Father.

and no man knoweth the Son. but the Father. Neither knoweth any man the Father save the Son and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal it" (Matthew 11:2.5-27). What is Jesus t al king about? The Godhead. Jesus said that no one can know who Jesus Christ is unless God reveals it to him . That's just what God told Peter. Jesus asked Peter and the Apostles. "who do men say that I am?" Peter replied. Well some thin k you're Elias. some think you're John the Baptist and so on. But Jesus said. who do you think that I am? Peter answered and said. Truly thou art the Christ the son of God... Jesus replied. Blessed art thou Simon Bar-Jonas. Flesh and blood didn't reveal this to you. You didn't get this at a prayer meeting. You didn't learn this at church. ··but my Father which is in heaven has revealed this unto you... So we see that no man can know the Son unless God reveals Him to them. And further. no one can know God unless Jesus Christ reveals God to them. The secret is in Jesus Christ. no one else!

Do All in the Name Of Jesus

Do you realize that the name of the Lord Jesus Christ is the Name given in the New Testament for God? We are commanded by God to do everything in that Name. Everything! One day I heard a knock at my door. I opened it, and there stood a man who was a Jehovah Witness. As we began our conversation, I asked him to explain this verse to me: "Whatsoever you do in word or deed , do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ", (Col. 3:17). He flipped through his bible and sure enough it was in his bible too. I pointed out to him that the Bible teaches that he is supposed to be a "Jesus Witness", not a "Jehovah Witness", (Acts 1:8). He replied, "Jehovah, not Jesus, is the name of THE God". But I said, "Let's take all the window-dressing off for a moment. You know as well as I do that "Jehovah" isn't God's Name. It was man made. "Yes," he replied, "You're right, we've been taught that." Then I asked the question: "Do you really think that God is listening to that name that you've given him? He's not going to answer you because His name is not "Jehovah", it never was. You're supposed to witness in the Name of Jesus." It appeared to me that he was becoming "unglued". He fell back to some other scriptures and so I pointed out that Jesus said that after you get the power of the Holy Ghost you shall become "witnesses unto me, saith the Lord" (Acts 1:8). I reminded him again that he was supposed to be a Jesus Witness. He had nowhere to go on this important Bible truth. He knew that "Jehovah" was not in the original manuscripts. Jesus never uttered it, no man or woman of God ever said it. But he was so caught up in his tradition that he would not change. The tragedy of mankind today is that they prefer to believe man's word over God's.

Let's look at the power and promises that are wrapped up in the Name of Jesus Christ, and you will see why God says we should do all in the Name of Jesus Christ. "Whatsoever you will ask in my name" . . . (Jesus is speaking). . . "that will I do. that the Father may be glorified in the son". (John 14:13). There is healing power in the Name of Jesus; (Mark 16:16). The Bible talks about calling on the elders to anoint you with oil in the Name of the Lord and the prayer of faith shall save

the sick and the· Lord shall raise him up and if he has committed any sins they shall be forgiven him in the Name of Jesus (James 5:14). Demons are cast out in the Name of Jesus, "And the.se signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they ca.st out devils . . . " (Mark 16:17). The Apostles were found doing everything in the Name of Jesus, even though they were persecuted for it. They were forbidden to preach or teach in that name, but they continued to do so. It's interesting to note that the Apostles could have taught or preached in any other name except the Lord Jesus Christi In Acts chapter 8, Philip "preached Christ unto them". and “When they believed on the Name of Jesus Chri.st they were baptized" (Acts 8:5. 12). What teaching did Philip put before the Samaritans? The Bible tells us he preached unto them things "Concerning the kingdom of God and the Name of Christ". The Name of Jesus Christ was foundational to all the activities of the early church. When the Apostle Paul was called into God's service he was told (by a prophet, Ananias) that he would bear God's Name to kings and would suffer for His Name's sake (Acts 9:15). Why? Because wrapped up in the Name of Jesus Christ is the character of God. Yeshua, our salvation. Did you know that the name Yeshua, Saviour, means all the things that all the other names mean; healer, provider, protector, saviour? It's all wrap ped up in that one name. Yeshua, Jesus Christ. Remember Zechariah 14:9. "In the la.st days my name shall be one name". Well, what is that name? The Lord Jesus Christ! Prayer in the Name of Jesus, healing in the Name of Jesus, casting out demons in the Name of Jesus, preaching, teaching, in the Name of Jesus. Baptized in the Name of Jesus. (See my booklet on "Covenant Water Baptism")

THE LORD HE IS GOD

Unto Thee it was shewed , that thou mightest know that the Lord he is God; there is none else beside him", (Deuteronomy 4:35).

There is one word in the Christian vocabulary that needs to be looked at again. A word that holds a key, a very important key, to understanding who God is. The word? Lord. It has a remarkable history and meaning not generally realized in the Christian community today. To discover its history and meaning let's recall the history of the Name "Lord". I think you will see the tremendous meaning unfold itself before your very eyes. Due to the Jewish prohibition of speaking God's Name, you will remember that Israel substituted the word Adonai in place of the Name of Four Letters. Thus the Name Adonai has come to reflect all the glory and majesty of the Name of The True God, the Name of Four Letters. Whenever an Israelite would refer to their God verbally or in writing, instead of using the Name of Four Letters, they would use the Name "Adonai". Thus this Name holds a special significance to the Jew of all ages as Adonai was the Name of The true God. Remember Adonai is a Hebrew word which means "Lord" in English.

The Psalmist David said this: "Happy is that people. that is in such a case: yea. happy is that people. whose God is the Lord ... (Psalms 144:15). Jacob said in Genesis; 28:20. 21;

"And Jacob vowed a vow. sayiug. (f God will be with me. and will keep me in this way that I go. and will give me bread to eat . and raiment to put on. so. that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God".

Jesus Christ used this Name for God too! In the New Testament we find the word Lord used by Jesus Christ in stead of the Name of Four Letters. It is significant for Christians today to realize that if Jesus endorsed its use, it must be correct. Who is the Lord? Can we know the Lord God today? Yes! The New testament plainly reveals the Lord's identity today. Let's stop here for a moment and read this highly revealing scripture from the New Testament. "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord , to the glory of God the Father", (Philippians 2:9-11). Notice who God says is "Lord"! Jesus Christ is. This is the central truth that launched Christianity! The first church was filled with men and women who believed that Jesus Christ was Lord, The Only True God. The God of Abraham, Isaac, Israel. And remember, too, that for the first few years of the Chur ch's existence it had only Jewish converts . . . they knew all too well the significance of the Name Lord. They knew it represented THE NAME OF GOD! The Apostle Peter said it this way . . . "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified both, Lord and Christ", (Acts 2:36). The Apostle Thomas, realizing who Jesus Christ fully was, exclaimed .. . "My Lord and My God". In one of Paul's journeys he was jailed with his companion Silas. Nothing unusual in this, Paul probably spent a great deal of time in jails. What is unusual are the instructions that Paul gave to his jailer when the jailer asked Paul what he must do to be saved. Paul replies: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved , and thy house'', (Acts 16:31). What did it mean to the jailer to "Believe on the Lord"? For the answer to this read verse 34: "And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced , believing in God with all his house". Did you note who the Bible said he believed on in this verse? Read it again, ". . . believing in God with all his house". In believing on the Lord Jesus Christ he had believed in God! Let's take a moment here and meditate on the Name "Lord".

This Name represents The Name of The True God, and further the full weight of the scriptures proclaim "Jesus Christ, He is the Lord"! But is the Name "Lord" holy or important? Yes! The Israelites realized the holiness of the Name "Lord". As an example read with me from "Light from the Ancient East", Adolf Deissmann, page 359. "Soon after the destruction of Jerusalem (70 A.D.), Jewish rebels in Egypt , so Josephus tells us, ref used to call the Caesar Lord , because they held 'God alone to be the Lord' -- and died as martyrs, men and boys." Here we have men who died because they knew that only God was the Lord. The "Apostolic fathers from 100 to 200 A.D. used The Name Lord to express the Name of

God". "The early Christians never used any other word than that of Lord as the Name of God." And of course the greatest impact on our lives today is this . . . Jesus Christ is Lord. Read these tremendous passages of scripture once again

. . . "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord , to the glory of God the Father'', (Philippians 2:9, 11).

To further delve into this wonderful revelation let's become detectives of sorts. Going back to the Old Testament we find that God had ten "compound names". By compound name I mean that God would reveal his Name (the Name of Four Letters) with a descriptive title following it. Such a JHVH - Jirel, which means "The Lord will provide". Now for the detective work. If Jesus Christ is Lord and the God of the Old Testament, wouldn't we be able to find the "compound names" applied to Jesus Christ in the New Testament? Yes!

Compound Names • • . . . . . . . . ..Meaning

JHVH Jireh . . The Lord will provide Gen. 22:13, 14

JHVH Rapha . . . . . . . . . . . . The Lord that healeth Ex. 15:26

JHVH Nissi . . . . . . . . . . . The Lord our banner Ex. 17:8-15

JHVH Shalom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Lord our peace Jud. 6:24

JHVH Ra-ah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Lord our Shepherd Ps. 23:1

JHVH Tsidkenu . . . . . . . . . . . The Lord our righteousness Jer. 23:6

JHVH Shammah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Lord is present Ex. 48:35

JHVH Mekaddishkem . . . . . The Lord that sanctifys thee Ex. 31:13

JHV H Saboath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Lord of f/osts 1 Sam. 1:3

JHVH Elyon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Lord most high Ps. 7:17

In the New Testament we find that all of the preceding titles of the True God are applied to Jesus Christ.

The Lord will provide (a sacrifice) . . . . . . . . . . . . Jn. 1:29

The Lord that healeth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Matt. 10:8

The Lord our banner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jn. 12:32

The Lord our peace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eph. 2:13, 14

The Lord our shepherd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jn. 10:11

The Lord our righteousness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Cor. 1:30

The Lord is present . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Matt. 28:20

The Lord that sanctif ys thee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Cor. 1:30

The Lord of Hosts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rev. 19:11-14

The Lord most High . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Phil. 2:9

Read again in Philippians 2:9-11 and note that "every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is LORD". Jesus Christ is Lord, what does that mean? You say Jesus is Lord, but do you fully understand what you are saying? When you invoke the Name ”Lord" in your prayers and praise do you know exactly what you are doing?

The Bible says that Jesus has been "given a name which i.s above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord , to the glory of God the Father", (Philippians 2:9-11). The early manuscripts read as follows: "Where God also hath highly exalted him, and given him The Name . . . which is above every name". Notice it reads "The Name". And more . . . this name is above every other name . . . of whom? God! That's who! The Name that Jesus Christ received is The Name above every previous name of God! This Name is so powerful that the Bible further states that "every knee will bow and every tongue confess" . . . to this Name! The prophet Isaiah said it this way . . . "I have sworn by myself , the word is gone out of my mouth in

righteousness, and shall not return. That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear" (Isaiah 45:23).

Did you notice the phrase in that scripture. "That unto me . . . " Who is speaking here? Read the preceding verse and you will see it is God. God said that every knee would bow and every tongue would confess . . . to Him! Are you beginning to see something powerful here?

THE LORD HE ALONE IS GOD

When Jesus lived on earth He identified with God the Father so much that he actually claimed to be one with God. Not two beings, separate, independent of each other, but one. Paul said that "all the fulness of the Godhead dwells in Jesus", (Colossians 2:9). In John 14:9 Jesus said, "Have I been so long a time with you and yet has thou not known me, Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the Father". Jesus Christ said that if you have seen him, you have seen the Father. The Bible says that "God was manifested in the flesh". When was God manifested in the flesh? When Jesus Christ was born, John 1:14). Jesus Christ is the great God-man. To attempt to separate Jesus from God is utterly futile. Look at the words Jesus spoke,whose words were they? "He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings and the word which you hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me", (John 14:24). Jesus said His words were God's. How about the works that He did? "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", (John 14:10). When you believe on Jesus Christ who are you believing in? "Jesu<.t cried and said. He that believeth on me. believeth not on me. but on him that sent me." (John 12:44) When you believe in Jesus Christ you are believing in The One True God! One time Jesus was talking with some Jewish scribes and Pharisees and He said, "Before Abraham was, I AM", (John 8:58). Not I was, but "I AM". And they took up stones and tried to kill him. He said, "For what good work are you going to kill me?" Oh no, you've got us all wrong, not for any good work, but because you being a man have made yourself God. Now we know that the Jews worship only one God. This is evident in the scriptures . . . "Hear, 0 Israel, the Lord our God is one God". That's why Israel has been persecuted throughout the ages. Israel does not believe in polytheism, many gods. Just one God. And Jesus Christ claimed to be that Codi The great "IAM". That's why they tried to kill him. God gave the name, I AM, to Moses in Exodus 3. Moses asked God, "How will the people know that you sent me?" And God said to Moses, "Tell them my name, I AM''. And here we read that Jesus claimed that name! He claimed to be the great Codi This is why the Jews were going to stone Jesus. It isn't enough to think of Jesus Christ as a prophet or teacher. If you believe He spoke the truth, then you must conclude that Jesus Christ claimed and taught that He alone was God!

IS IT THE"NAME"OR "POWER"?

I have heard some teachers today teach that the phrase "in my Name" simply means "in the authority of Jesus Christ" or "in His power". Thus they reason that Christians don't have to say the Name of Jesus Christ or use the Name of Jesus Christ in baptism, etc. But the scriptures are very plain on this point. In the early church the Name of Jesus Christ was used in healing a man. The Apostles were asked, "By what power or what Name, have ye done this?",(Acts 4:7). Here we read where the Apostles had a choice . . . which was it, a power or a name? The Apostle Peter answered "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 bef ore you whole", (Acts 4:10). The Name of Jesus Christ triumphed again. As often as men profane this Name, ignore it, mock it or attempt to blot it off of the pages of history, the Name of Jesus Christ triumphs. Why? Because it is God's own Name, that's why! The powerful force of God is wrapped up in the Name of Jesus Christ. It is the power of God. That's why when you are called by God to give your life to Jesus Christ, you are called immediately to the waters of baptism.

In the waters of baptism you demonstrate obedience to the Lord by doing something that doesn't make sense to the logical mind. But he said to be baptized first because it's your first opportunity to obey God. And the second thing you do is to take on the Name of Jesus Christ in water baptism. "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ", fulfilling the commission of Jesus in Matthew 28:19. That's why we call you to the waters of baptism. That's why we call you to obedience. That's why we use the Name of Jesus over you. If Agur were here today, who was so distraught with himself because he could search out other things but he couldn't search out the Name of God, I believe he would be jum ping up and down right now saying that's it, that's it, Yeshua, Jesus Christi! The Holy One of Israel. The one that was prophesied to come to save his people from their sin. God's Name is not "Jehovah.., it is The Lord Jesus Christ. That's the Name of God today and by his grace we have the right to use it, to speak it, to receive the power of God through it.

I call upon you to think about that today in your various places in life spiritually. If you have given your life to Jesus, God is calling you to go on to be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ, and to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Listen to the voice of God. Don't try to rationalize or argue, because God loves you. He wants to do a fuller work in your life, but you must listen and obey. The Bible says that if you are first willing, then obedient, you will eat the good of the land (Isaiah 1:19). You will have that health He's promised you; you will have the prosperity and the blessing of God.

DON'T STOP NOW

Having gone this far in sharing God's True Name, and True Person, it would somehow seem unjust to stop here. There are other vital topics to discuss relating to the Name of God, and we will explore some of them in this chapter. Perhaps some questions or doubts are in your mind; this chapter may help to answer them.Now, one question that is often raised: If Jesus was truly God, why did He pray to the Father? This is an excellent question. Excellent because it brings out the two natures that existed in Jesus Christ while here on earth. Remember, the key to understanding the scriptures about Jesus Christ is this -- Jesus Christ is the God-Man! Truly God, truly man. As a man He was obedient to all the demands of the law and scripture. This explains why He prayed to the Father. "O thou that hearest pra yer, unto thee shall all flesh come"; (Psalms 65:2). You see, "all flesh" has to come to God in prayer, and that included Jesusl That is why He prayed. Yet this same Jesus exercised all the rights of G o d . He forgave sins, performed miracles, accepted worship, and atoned for mankind's sins! (Please see: Matthew 9:2, Luke 7:15, Matthew 20:28 and Hebrews 9:11, 12). These could only be done by the True God. Only God and God alone! This insight, that Jesus is the God-man, also explains why Jesus wept, hungered, tired, and suffered pain. God, as a spirit, could not die upon the cross at Calvary, so God took upon Himself a body of flesh and paid the penalty for our sins. (I Timothy 3:16). The Apostle Paul, knowing this, said that it was ..God's" blood shed at Calvary. "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock , over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood ." (Acts 20:28). Paul knew that Jesus Christ was the God-man. So did the Apostle Thomas. He called Jesus "Lord and God". "And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God." (John 20:28)

The early church had no problem recognizing their God· . . . Read with me a passage from Titus 2:13: "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;". What did Paul want to say in this scripture? Dare we spiritualize the obvious? No. Paul said that Jesus Christ was and is Codi Jesus prayed to God because the scripture demanded this of Him every bit as much as the Law demanded his life in payment for your sins. And Jesus shrank from neither. What did Jesus Himself say about His deity? Jesus Christ claimed that God was in Him all the while I (see John 14:10) And even more . . . Jesus said to Philip: "If ye had known me, you should have known my Father also, and from henceforth ye know Him and have seen Him", (John 14:7).

QUESTION .

If Jesus is the ONLY God then why does the Bible say that He is seated on The "right hand of the Father"?

To understand this passage we absolutely must look beyond the obvious meaning. After all we know that Jesus isn't literally sitting on God's hand. Just what does the Bible mean when it says Jesus is on the "right hand of God"? Why didn't Jesus sit on the left hand?

There is a great deal hidden to the casual reader in this passage. We would do well to search

the scriptures here and now to fully understand the importance of God's 0right hand". Then we will fully understand this tremendous passage. To begin with, in scripture we find

that the 0right hand" is used to bestow the blessing upon the eldest son while the younger son receives his blessing from the left hand. This is significant when one realizes that the elder son's inheritance was to be twice as much as the younger son's portion. When Joseph's father, Israel, blessed Joseph's two sons he purposely switched hands because he wanted the younger to receive the better blessing and inheritance. You can see that the right hand" was very significant here. Read with me, "And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand , and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand , and brought them near unto him. And Israel stretched out his right hand , and laid it upon Ephraim's head , who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manesseh 's head guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the first born. And he blessed Joseph and said , God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk , the God which Jed me all my life long unto this day, the angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth. And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: and he held up his jather's hand , to remove it from Ephraim's head unto Manasseh's head . And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head. And his father ref used , and said , I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations."(Genesis 48:13-19).

In the New Testament we see the "right hand" as the only place to be after the judgment! Here the "right hand" signifies acceptance into God's Kingdom; and the left hand eternal rejection! "And he shall .vet the sheep on his right hand , but the goats on the left." (Matthew 25:33). The "right hand" also represented the side of honor and strength in the Bible as the following psalms attest: "That thy beloved may be delivered; .save with thy right hand. and hear me" (P.valm.s 60:5). "The voice of reioicing and salvation is in the tabernacle of the righteous: the right hand of the Lord doeth valantly. ( Psalms 118: 15. 16).

So we can see that these scriptures are telling us a great deal about the place Jesus Christ holds in heaven! Jesus holds the place of elder son and blessing; the place of acceptance, strength and honor. These all belong to Him! All power is given to Jesus Christ. But let's not stop here. . . there is, after all, more, much more to be discovered about Jesus. In fact as we really begin to search out the wonders of understanding Jesus Christ, we will be left with awe. So let's go!

UNRAVELING THE MYSTERY OF JESUS CHRIST

Let's begin by asking some questions . . . How can Jesus be seated at the right hand of

God and yet be a lamb in the midst of the throne"?The following three passages all speak of Jesus' position in heaven. Read them carefully, then we shall compare them. "So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven , and sat on the right hand of God", (Mark 16:19). "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I overcame and am set down with my Father in his throne." (Revelation 3:21). "And I beheld , and , lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a lamb as it had been slain , having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth (Revelation 5:6).

How is it possible that Jesus can be seen "sitting on the right hand of God", "standing in the midst of the throne", and "sitting on the throne"? (Rev. 3:21).

The difficulty of the questions will point to the only solution. As difficult as these questions may appear, they really bring out a very simple and profound truth. The reason that Jesus is seen doing all these things at once is because HE IS GOD! Jesus Christ can be in different places at the same time because He is, as God is, Omnipresent. The Apostle John recorded a similar seeming impossibility! Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus about the experience of rebirth and said, "And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven." (John 3:13). How could Jesus claim to be in heaven while He was very much on earth? Simple! Jesus is God and surely you can agree that God can be in two places at once, can't you? Sure you canI

Isn't it reassuring to know your Saviour in such a wonderful, and personal way? Jesus Christ, the God-man, emptied Himself of His full glory as God, and became a man and died for our sins. Is it any wonder why we love Jesus so much?

Today many groups, cults, sects, are purposely at tempting to belittle Jesus Christ. They usually isolate one of His characteristics; i.e., prophet, teacher, healer, etc., and highlight it to the exclusion of His deity. Many people today reject the truth that Jesus Christ is Godl Many Christians today and over the centuries have jealously guarded the truth that Jesus Christ is God and today there is a resurgence of this tremendous truth among the body of Christians.

Who is Jesus Christ? He is a prophet, teacher, healer, son of God, yes all of these . . . and God!

THE SECRET OF THE NOMEN TETRAGRAMMATON .JHVHThe proper pronunciation of God's sacred name may have been lost forever. Was this

human error? Was Israel guilty of negligence in failing of keeping the Name of God alive? No, I don't believe that is the case at all. It seems to

· me that God had a divine purpose. Remember "all things work together for good" and this is no exception!

The Nomen Tetragrammaton holds a very distinct place in scripture in that while it is written we don't know how to pronounce it. This is unique in all the Holy scriptures as far as I know. But there is an explanation for this unusual occurrence. Read with me the following passage from the Bible: "His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself" (Rev. 19:12). This passage is certainly speaking about Jesus Christ. That is indisputable. But notice the statement "and he Jesus Christ “had a Name which was written but no man knew it"! Let this moment sweep over your soul . . . here is the perfect description of the "Name of Four Letters", the "Nomen Tetragrammaton" . . . a "Name written but not known"! The only Name in the Bible that fits this remarkable description . . . The Nomen Tetragrammaton and it refers to none other than Jesus Christi

By the way, I looked in the Young's Concordance under the word "Jehovah". There are three references in the King James Bible where that word appears alone. The entry reads "preferably YEWEH or JHVH". Young's Con cordance recognizes that "Jehovah" is a man-made name, the question is do you?

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE "JEHOVAH WITNESSES" WRITE . .

A personal word to the people who have become members of the Jehovah Witnesses. What has been said previously must by now have raised some questions. I hope so. But I realize that you believe that the only ac curate and inspired translation of God's Holy Word is the "New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures". While I do not endorse this belief, I am however willing to use your Bible in order to bring out the same truths, namely this, that Jesus Christ is the only True God. All I ask of you is this . . . let the scriptures, your own scriptures, speak for themselves. (All scripture following are from the "New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, Revised 1970, CE")

Let's begin in the book of John, Chapter 17. Here we find a most remarkable statement concerning the Name of Jesus Christ. Remember it is my belief that the Name of Jesus Christ is the Name of the True God. Here is how it is expressed in your bible . . ."Also, I am no longer in the world , but they are in the world and I am coming to you. Holy Father, watch over them on ac count of your own name which you have given me, in order that they may be one just as we are." (John 17:11)Isn't that remarkable? Read that again! "Holy Father, watch over them on account of your own name which you have given me . . . "Jesus is stating very plainly that His name was the same as the Father's! Perhaps you may think that this is only one such reference . . . not so . . . the very next verse reads . . ...When I was with them I used to watch over them on account of your own name which you have given me; . . . "(vs. 12)

There you have Jesus Christ saying it again . . . and no wonder, He claimed to have

been given the Father's Name before. We read in John the fifth chapter: I have come in the name of my Father, but you do not receive me . . . "(John. 5:43)

Going back to chapter 17, in the book of John, we discover even more about the Name of God. Reading in verse 6, "I have made your name manifest to the men you gave me out of the world. . . " What name did Jesus Christ make known to the disciples? Was it "Jehovah"? No. It was the Name of Jesus Christ the Lord.

What does the NWT bible say about Jesus Christ being the Father God? This is a sticky point for people all over the world, let's not miss its importance.

The NWT bible plainly states that Jesus Christ and the Father God are one and the same person! "For there has been a child born to us, there has been a son given to us; and the princely rule will come to be upon his shoulder. And his name will be called Wonderf ul counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. "(Isaiah 9:6).

There it is . . . the Hebrew prophet said the son was "Everlasting Father". Before someone tries to "spiritualize" this passage, remember this "Jesus Christ must be all that the scriptures say he is".

It should come as no surprise to us then to read in the New Testament that Jesus Christ claimed to be the Father. "Phillip said to him; "Lord, show us the Father. and it is enough for u.s. "Jesus said to him; "Have I been with you men so long a time. and yet. Philip. you have not come to know me? He that has seen me has seen the Father (al.so). How is it you say. 'Show us the Father'?" (John 14:8. 9)

Remember that all scriptures being quoted are from the "New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures", the bible of the Watchtower Society, commonly known as Jehovah Witnesses.

Your leaders may deny that Jesus Christ is the True God, but your bible doesn't.We could quote many more scriptures concerning the deity of Jesus Christ. However, let me conclude with these. You have been told that you are to witness for "Jehovah". However, the scriptures, your own scriptures, are not in agreement with that statement. Aside from the truth that God's Name is not "Jehovah", we find an even more revealing statement in the New Testament. Jesus said, "but you will receive power when the holy spirit arrives upon you, and you will be witnesses of me, both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the most distant part of the earth." (Acts 1:8 NWT)Jesus Christ said that after a person received the Holy Spirit they would become "Jesus" witnesses . . . what happened to you?Please open your mind and spirit to the Word of God. Do not allow men to mislead you. Learn for yourself who Jesus Christ truly is, God, Almighty God, Father God, the only True God.Let me conclude this brief appeal to your hearts with one more scripture. This scripture contains all that I have tried to express to you. "While we wait for the happy hope and glorious manifestation of the great God and of (the) Saviour of us, Christ Jesus, who gave himself for us . . . "(TITUS 2:13, 14a NWT)

"The great God, Christ Jesus". There you have it, Jesus Christ is Lord, what more can I say?

CONCLUSION

This should end our search for the True Name of God, but it doesn't. The search will not end for you until you personally accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. It isn't enough to know of His name, you owe it to yourself to get to know Him personally.Take a moment right now and in earnest prayer ask the Lord Jesus Christ into your life. He will remove your sins, their ugly effects and penalty, and give you a new life. And you will begin life's greatest journey, the journey of eternal life with God. Go ahead Jesus Christ is waiting to hear from you.

Hal Ballewwww.thefishermensnet.com