In the Name of Jesus Nuance

In the Name of Jesus

In the Name of Jesus

When Christians affirm "no other name in whom we can be saved but the name of Jesus," they are typically referring to "the name of Jesus" — a phrase that signifies the profound importance of Jesus Christ's identity, role, and authority in salvation. Rooted in biblical passages like Acts 4:12 (NIV), which declares, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved," this expression encapsulates the essence of Jesus' person, His redemptive work, and divine nature. It transcends the mere utterance of the word "Jesus"; rather, "the name of Jesus" embodies His sacrifice, resurrection, and mediatorial role central to Christian faith. In contrast, isolating "the name JESUS" might emphasize the literal word itself. Christians invoke "the name of Jesus" in contexts of prayer, healing, and spiritual authority, reflecting their belief in His transformative power and representation. This understanding reflects conventional Christian theology and interpretation.

Let's unpack Acts 4:12, which highlights the exclusivity of salvation through Jesus Christ. While "Jesus" was indeed a common name in biblical times, with figures like Jesus Barabbas and Barjesus, the verse emphasizes the significance of the person and his role rather than just the name itself.

In Matthew 1:21, the angel instructs, "You shall call his name Jesus," confirming that "Jesus" is the given name. However, the New Testament underscores the importance of Jesus' role as Savior and Mediator. The distinction between Jesus' name and office is noteworthy. In biblical culture, names often conveyed deeper meanings tied to a person's character or destiny. Jesus' name, meaning "the Lord saves," points to his identity and mission.

Ultimately, while the name "Jesus" isn't the source of salvation, it signifies the person and work of Jesus Christ, the Savior.

The Mystery of the Name

Delving into a profound aspect of Christian theology, we find resonance between the phrase "the name of Jesus" and the enigmatic context of Revelation 2:17. This verse unveils, "To the one who conquers... I will give... a white stone with a new name written on it, which no one knows except the one who receives it," speaking of a mysterious "new name" bestowed upon believers, intimate to the recipient alone. When woven into the broader biblical tapestry, this evokes contemplation on divine names etched from the foundation of the world.

Scripture reveals facets of God's and Jesus' nature through names like Emmanuel and Prince of Peace, yet hints at a divine profundity surpassing human comprehension. If our true names — inscribed on white stones, known solely to their bearers — remain veiled from us presently, does our articulation of "the name of Jesus" connote more than the revealed appellation "Jesus"? While Jesus is unveiled through scripture (Gospels, Acts), Revelation 2:17 might plausibly intimate uncharted dimensions of identity — applicable to believers and potentially echoing divine mysteries.

Apophatic and Kataphatic Dimensions

Through the lens of apophatic theology, "the name of Jesus" invites contemplation on the limits of language and conceptual grasp. Apophatic theology, via negativa, approaches God by negation — emphasizing what God is not, rather than affirmative definitions. In this light, "the name of Jesus" might be seen as pointing beyond itself, transcending human categories and comprehension. Revelation 2:17 speaks of a "new name" written on a white stone, known only to the recipient, intimating a divine reality ineffable and beyond expression. This resonates with apophatic intimations of God's essence surpassing human understanding, echoing Dionysius the Areopagite's Mystical Theology where God is posited as beyond being and non-being.

Shifting to kataphatic theology, which affirms God's attributes and revelation, "the name of Jesus" takes on affirmative contours grounded in Christian scripture and tradition. Kataphatic theology emphasizes God's self-revelation — Jesus is unveiled through the Gospels, Acts, and epistles as Savior, Messiah, Son of God, Emmanuel ("God with us"). Acts 4:12 declares, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved," affirming the name's salvific potency in Christian belief.

The Question of His Eternal Name

However, the questions persist: Do we know Him by the name Jesus, and is Jesus His eternal name? If we don't know our new names until His second coming, could we possibly know His name but His office? Why did He say to Moses He will be what He will be, implying that He will be what the situation demands — including being Jesus when He comes as a saviour of mankind?

This inquiry probes the depths of divine revelation and the mystery of God's names in Scripture. Exodus 3:14, where God says to Moses "I AM WHO I AM" (Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh in Hebrew), conveys a profound sense of God's self-existence and sovereignty. This declaration suggests God's being is not bound by human categories; He is what He is, transcending situational definitions.

Jesus’ Self-Reference and Identity

Jesus Christ himself never referred to himself by the name "Jesus." Instead, he often used titles or descriptions like "Son of Man" or "Son of God." When he did refer to himself directly in a profound sense, he might say "I am" (John 8:58, John 14:6), emphasizing his divine identity and echoing God's declaration "I AM WHO I AM." Jesus' focus was more on revealing God's nature and his relationship with God and humanity rather than on his own personal name.

The Name Above Every Name

It is said that God gave him the name above all other names, but we know a few people with the name Jesus even unto this day, suggesting that the said name is not the name Jesus, but the name given him in the context of Revelation 2:17 secret names. This invites contemplation on Philippians 2:9-10, where it speaks of God exalting him and giving him "the name that is above every name." The tension hints at layers of meaning: the revealed appellation "Jesus" contrasts with intimations of a profound, perhaps ineffable dimension tied to divine exaltation.

Jesus of Nazareth, the human, is no longer with us physically, but Emmanuel, who is seated at God's right hand in Heaven, is still with us in spirit. He continues to save and work in the lives of believers. The name "Jesus" was relevant on earth, where he came to save humanity. In Heaven, he isn't called Jesus because he has no one to save there; his role is different, and it's possible that his name there reflects his exalted position and authority.

Conclusion

And so, "in the name of Jesus" means more than the known name, Jesus. The earthly appellation connects to his incarnate mission, while his exalted state suggests dimensions transcending human familiarity. When we pray "in the name of Jesus," we're referring to the one who ascended to the right hand of God — not merely a title, but the authority and presence of the risen Lord.

This dynamic suggests a tension between the accessibility of Jesus' earthly name and the ineffable aspects of his divine identity. Invocation of his name in prayer thus intertwines human vulnerability and divine transcendence, underscoring faith's reach into mystery.

In the name of Jesus.

AMEN.

© 2025 | Jaison Ndlovu | All Rights Reserved

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