A Good Name Is Rather To Be Chosen

“A Good Name Is Rather To Be Chosen”

Proverbs 22:1

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name  under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

Acts 4:12

One Old Testament prophecy after another predicted the coming of Jesus Christ long before He ever arrived on the Earth.  The most important of these, Isaiah 9:6 was written six hundred years before the birth of Jesus.  In another verse, Isaiah prophesied, “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”   (Isaiah 7:14)

The name, “Immanuel” shows to us the very truth of the story of the birth of Jesus Christ.  It literally means, “God with us!”  It tells us that God Himself came as a human infant. This baby that was to be born would be God in human form.  Everything surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ can be summed up in those three words, “God with us!”  You see this truth brought to light again when you read John 1:1-14.  The baby that was born, and placed in the manger was the omnipotent (all powerful) Creator of the heavens and the earth.

“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, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”   (Isaiah 9:6)

Wilmington’s Guide to the Bible gave an interesting illustration concerning Jesus Christ that I would like to include here.  (Page 187) “From the very dawn of history this wicked world has desperately sought to employ the services of someone (or something) who could heal the hurt of the human soul and usher in the long stream of universal righteousness. Many persons have applied for this position, and numerous methods have been employed, but all have led to bitter disappointment and despair. But here the prophet Isaiah introduces a special candidate.  What are his qualifications? Can he satisfy the five key positions?

                   A.  What about his personality and                character?  It is wonderful

B.  What about his education? He knows all things and is therefore the supreme Counselor.

C.  What about his nationality?  He is the Mighty God.

D.  What about his previous work experience? He both planned for and carried out the creation of this universe and is therefore called the Father of Eternity.

E.  What is his special talent?  As the God-man, he is able to reconcile man with God, and is therefore the  Princeof Peace.

In view of all this, Isaiah (along with Peter, Paul, John, and a host of others) earnestly exhorts all sinners to hire this heavenly Candidate immediately.  (See Isaiah 1:18)”

The name of Jesus is mentioned 600 times in the Bible.  This shows us how important it is to use His name.

When Can We Use The Name Of Jesus?

In Prayer...

“Verily, verily I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.”  (John 14:12-14)

In Preaching...

“And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all

 nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:47)

When In Need...

“That whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”  (John 15:16)

To Receive Eternal Life...

“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.”  (John 20:31)

When Healing Is Needed...

“Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ rise up and walk.

And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong whom ye see and know”  (Acts 3:6, 16)

“By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?...Be it known unto you all... 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...But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name”.

“And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.”  (Acts 4:7,10, 17-18)

In Salvation...

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”   (Acts 4:12)

In Deliverance From Demons...

“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.  (Acts 16:18)

In Water Baptism...

“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 Spirit.”  (Acts 2:38)

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

“When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”  (Acts 19:5)

In Everything...

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”  (Colossians 3:17)

David Livingstone, the great pioneer missionary to Africa, declared concerning the name of Jesus: “It is the word of a Gentleman of the most strict and sacred honour.”

He came as the Word (John 1:1,14) and left the Word.

He came with a name and left His name.  Who shall proclaim His name if the church fails to do it.

Take the name of Jesus with you, and use it!