What is in a name? The first thought is that it's the identification of someone, some other creature, or something. A name is not to be confused with a title or position.
In reference to our Lord, the name in which we identify our Savior was very important to God. And so, our Lord and Savior was named, JESUS.
"It became evident why he was named "Jesus" (Luke 1:30-33), the Grecianized form of the Hebrew name meaning, "God Saves," and why he became recognized as "the Christ," the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew, "Messiah" meaning "the Anointed One." (Harpers Bible Dictionary, Miller, Harper & Brothers, Publishers, New York, 1961, pg. 323)
In the Bible, when in reference to His identity before birth and after birth, the name is Jesus.
"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)
"You will be with child and give birth, to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus." (Luke 1:31)
"On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived." (Luke 2:21)
"When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required," (Luke 2:27)
Now, Christ is a title that was not put on the infant Jesus before his birth or during his infancy. Rather, it was added to His name sometime in His later life.
"Christ:" originally a title (Jesus the Christ) later used as part of the name (Jesus Christ.)" (Websters New World Dictionary, pg. 253)
Now, in Mormondom, the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants say something different.
"according to the words of the prophets, and also the word of the angel of God, his name shall be Jesus Christ, the son of God." (2 Nephi 25:19, BoM)
"Behold, Jesus Christ is the name which is given of the Father, and there is none other name given whereby man can be saved;" (D&C 18:23)
The Bible does not say His name shall be Jesus Christ, but Jesus. The BoM and the D&C are wrong.
It's All In A Name
Friday, April 9, 2010
Labels: Bible Blessings , Book of Mormon , cult , Jesus
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