It is a pivotal question. After all, in every religion in the world, the adherents of each system know the names of their particular "gods". This is no small task, especially in Buddhism and Hinduism where there are hundreds, even thousands of "gods", each with a particular area or aspect of life they preside over. Why is it then, that Christians, in general, don’t know the name of their God?

"For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever."(Mic 4:5)

As always, our first question should be "What saith the scriptures?" Deut.6:4 states simply "...The lord our God is one Lord..." That certainly narrows it down. We are looking for a single name.

"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."(Immanuel means "God with us") (Isa.7:14)

"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." (Isa.9:6)(Emphasis mine)

In the first chapter of John, he states: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (v.1)...And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us...."(v.14)(Emphasis mine)

Timothy agreed:"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels,preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."(1Ti.3:16) (Emphasis mine)

In Deut.32:39-40, God said: "See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever." (Emphasis mine)

The Lord also warned us:"Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me." (Hos. 13:4) (Emphasis mine)

In Isaiah, God was very clear about His unique position: "To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One (Isa.40:25)...I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images (42:8)...Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God. Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let [hinder] it?(43:10-13) ...Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. 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."(45:21-23)

Interestingly, the apostle Paul said this: "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 theearth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil.2:9-10) (Emphasis mine)

In Judges 13, Samson’s father, Manoah, and his wife see an angel of the Lord(later they realized it was God - v.22) and asked "What is thy name, that when thy sayings come to pass we may do thee honor?" The Lord answered,"Why asketh thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret"(same Hebrew word for "wonderful" used to describe Jesus in Isa.9:6)(Emphasis mine).

When God instructed Moses to go to Pharoah for the release of the Israelites:"...Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you."(Ex.3:13-14)

Our Lord Jesus cautioned: "I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." (John 8:24) (Emphasis mine)

When speaking with the Jews, Jesus answered:"Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am."(John 8:57) (Emphasis mine) The Jews understood exactly what Christ was saying, they simply would not accept it:

"I and my Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God."(John 10:30-33) (Emphasis mine)

Colossians 2:9 says: "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." Who, but God, could say the following scripture as Jesus did before his crucifixion in John 10:18?"No man taketh it [His life] from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father."(John 10:18)

Paul taught the Ephesians (4:4) that there is only ONE Spirit. To the church at Corinth he again verifies that "by ONE Spirit" we are baptized into one body (I Cor.12:13) (Emphasis mine). Paul also taught: "...because you are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his SON into your hearts, crying, Abba Father."(Gal.4:6) (Emphasis mine)

Christ said: "For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your FATHER which speaketh in you." (Matt.10:20) (Emphasis mine) Jesus indentifies that Spirit on a more personal level in John 14:17-18 when he speaks of "another Comforter":"Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." (Emphasis mine)

I John 4:12-13 states:"No man hath seen God at any time." I Tim.6:16 concurs: "Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen."

Yet John saw it this way in 1:18:"No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him."

Then Jesus explains who has seen the Father: "It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. Not that any man hath seen the Father, save[except] he which is of God, he hath seen the Father."(John 6:45-46) (Emphasis mine)

Jesus wraps it up in John 15:22-23:"If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. He that hateth me hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father."(John 15:22-23) (Emphasis mine)

A vast majority of organized religion uses the scripture of Matt.28:19 to justify their method of baptism in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. It seems they don’t see the word "name". It is singular, not plural. There are not three names to baptize by, but one. When the disciples went out to spread the gospel, did they disobey on the baptism issue? Let’s see what the book of Acts records:"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 Ghost." (Ac.2:38) (Emphasis mine)

"Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)"(Ac.8:14-16) (Emphasis mine) "Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus."(Ac.19:4-5) (Emphasis mine)

Either the disciples blatantly dis-regarded Jesus’ command in Matt.28:19, or their spiritual eyes and ears were opened to understand the mystery of God; that Jesus IS the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Since they had just previously received the Holy Spirit on Pentecost I believe they understood exactly what Jesus had told them, and Zech.14:9 confirms:" ...in that day shall there be ONE LORD, and HIS NAME ONE."(Emphasis mine)

Another point belabored is, why then does scripture record Jesus praying to God? The Bible explains in the story of the raising of Lazarus:"Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me."(John 11:41-42)He was simply giving them an illustration of faith and answered prayer.

We see a similar scenario when Jesus prays about his soon-coming trial by the cross:"Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him. Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for yoursakes." (John 12:27-30) (This exchange also demonstrated the reality and necessity of the flesh being in subjection to the Spirit.)

Another question people ask is: Why did Jesus cry out "...My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me"?:They may not be aware that this was not the first time these words were spoken by Jesus. IPet. 1:10-12 gives us insight:"Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the SPIRIT OF CHRIST WHICH WAS IN THEM did signify, when it TESTIFIED BEFOREHAND the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into."(Emphasis mine)

Remember, the vast majority of the people that witnessed the events leading up to and including the crucifixion, were Jewish and were familiar with Messianic prophecies. When Jesus spoke the words"My God, my God....",He was directing their attention to the Psalm that foretold his death and to identify himself to them as the Messiah there were waiting for. "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? (v.1)...I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him (6-8)...I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture..." (14-18)(Emphasis mine)

Knowing that it was the "Spirit of Christ" that "TESTIFIED BEFOREHAND",we can better understand such verses as Zech.7:12:"Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD OF HOSTS HATH SENT IN HIS SPIRIT by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts."(Emphasis mine)

As the Lord God clearly says in Isa.48:3, "I have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went forth out of my mouth, and I shewed them; I did them suddenly, and they came to pass." And in 2 Pet.1:21 "or the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." (Emphasis mine)

Another confusing issue is when "God" and "Jesus" are used in the same sentence, yet seem to denote two people. Many times the connective "and" is viewed as meaning "also" or "in addition to" when the "and" is being used inclusively. for example:"...to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ...."(Col.2:2) "God" and "Father" have the connective "and", yet we realize they are one and the same. But when we get to "and of Christ" we immediately insist it’s another, separate person. The connective "and" is denied its function.

Col.1:3 says:"We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ...." Does this mean God and the Father are separate? No. It simply is grouping titles or aspects of the godhead together.

Other examples of this can be found in Phil.4:20, Eph.1:3 and 5:20, James 1:27, Col.3:17, I Thess.3:11 and Tit.2:13.

There is a reason the Lord chose to reveal himself in this manner. Isaiah made this statement:"Verily, thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Savior."(Isa.45:15) Why would the Lord do this?"And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith." (De.32:20) (Emphasis mine) Job 34:27-30 is very precise as to God’s reasoning on the matter: "When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only: That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared."(Emphasis mine)

Thomas had this testimony when told of the resurrection of Jesus:"The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." (John 20:25-29) (Emphasis mine)

Jesus taught his disciples this:"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?" (John 14:1-9) (Emphasis mine)

Most of the apostles knew Jesus was God. There are several scriptures where it is recorded Jesus was worshipped by those who believed. (Matt.2:11, 14:33, 15:25 and 28:9; Lk.24:52 and John 9:38) Worship is for God alone. Either these believers and apostles were committing blasphemy or Jesus was truly God and deserving of that worship. There are two scriptures that shed much light on Jesus and his church: "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That HE might present it TO HIMSELF a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."(Eph.5:25-27)"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) (Emphasis mine)

Now we can answer the questions posed in Prov.30:4: "Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?"

Jesus said:"...no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven."(Jn.3:13)

Paul said in Heb.1:8 and 10:"But unto the SON he saith, Thy throne, O GOD, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom...And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands...."(Compare with Psalms 45:6,102:25 and John1:1-5)

Jesus confirms, in the book of Revelation, he is God:"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty."(Rev.1:8) (Emphasis mine)

God used similar language in the O.T.:"Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he."(Isa. 41:4) (Emphasis mine) Again in Revelation 1:11, Jesus speaking says,"I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last". Jesus confirms this to the church at Smyrna,"These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive...." (Rev.2:8) (Emphasis mine)

Jesus is even more specific in Rev.1:17-18:"... Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and WAS DEAD; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."(Emphasis mine)

John records these words in Rev.4:2:"And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, A throne was set in heaven, and ONE sat on the throne." (Emphasis mine) Remember, God said He would not give His glory to another. (Isa.42:8)

Yet in Revelation 4:11, Jesus alone is found worthy to:"...receive glory and honor and power; for thou [He] hast created all things, and for thy [His] pleasure they are and were created."(Emphasis mine)

Is God a liar or is Jesus God? God made a promise in Hosea 2:23:"And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God."(Emphasis mine) Jesus fleshes out this promise in Rev.21:5-7:"And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.(John 7:37-38) He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son."(Emphasis mine)

Jesus told us in Rev.2:26-28:"And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star." (Emphasis mine) Revelation 22:16 testifies:"I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star."(Emphasis mine)

The testimony of the sciptures is plain to all who care to see. For those who alter the truth and denigrate the deity of Jesus Christ to suit their own agenda, Rev.22: 18-19 issues a crystal clearwarning: "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."

by Debbie Rucker