HIS NAME IS NOT J-E-S-U-S (1)

Matthew 1:21(KJV)

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his NAME Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

This was Angel Gabriel talking to Joseph about Mary.

Now, NAME is the Greek word "onoma", which could either be literal or figurative. It is obviously literal here, as it means he would be named Jesus—people would begin to call him Jesus.

However, upon his resurrection from the dead,

Philippians 2:9-11(KJV)

9. Wherefore God also hath HIGHLY EXALTED HIM, and GIVEN HIM A NAME which is above every name:

10. That at the NAME OF JESUS every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Jesus now has a name above every other name. This is not literal but figurative. His name never literally changed from what he was being called. The letters are still intact.

However, NAME (onoma) as used in this verse above refers to AUTHORITY - Jesus' authority upon glorification.

Just like getting free Dangote products whenever you want because you have Dangote's complimentary card, stamp, or signature. That is getting the goods in his name.

Like I put it earlier, his literal name did not change but he received an authority above every other.

Note that Paul never said that "at the mention of the name of Jesus", but "at the name of Jesus." He was not referring to the literal name but his authority.

So what Paul wrote is simply put as

"Wherefore God also has highly exalted him and has given him a name (authority) above every other; that at this name, every knee should bow, in heaven, on earth, and in the lower parts of the earth (Hades; hell), and that every tongue should confess his Lordship.

You see?

He is LORD because of his AUTHORITY, not because of some skillful arrangement of letters.

Same thing he was communicating with his disciples after he rose:

Mark 16:17-18(KJV)

17. And these signs shall follow them that believe; IN MY NAME shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

18. 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.

In my name; my authority.

See Matthew's account of same event.

Matthew 28:18-19(KJV)

18. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, ALL POWER IS GIVEN UNTO ME in heaven and in earth.

19. Go ye therefore....

ALL POWER. You see that?

That's the name!

So, when we're rejoicing about what Christ has done for us, we can sing and say, "We have the name of Jesus", "The name of Jesus is higher that other names", etc.

In doing the works of Jesus, you don't have to mention the name.

And if you do, make sure to keep in mind that it's his authority (premised on his lordship over all) you're referring to and not the letters—English, Greek, Hebrew, or Aramaic.

So, when you're making reference to Jesus' name, know that you're laying claim to his authority, not the letters. You're laying claim to what he has accomplished for us.

This name is not J-E-S-U-S.

Victor Ibosiola © 2019