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What Does ‘Jesus’ Mean?

HomeChristianity and the BibleWhat Does ‘Jesus’ Mean?

I was told that the name of Jesus is special, and saying His name in a prayer means it will be answered. Is that true?

Anonymous GodWords Reader

This question has a few layers. Some claim that praying “in Jesus’ name” will ensure that He will give us what we ask. Some believe that we should refer to the Messiah by His ‘actual’ name, which – they presume – is Hebrew. Some go so far as to say that those who get His name wrong are actually worshipping a false god, and that these people can’t be saved as a result.

What name was Jesus given at birth?

My name, given at birth, is Anthony. My nickname is Tony. Some of my friends call me by other nicknames, but all of those names refer to me. You might ask what my “real” name is, and there’s no single answer. Names can be a bit complicated.

Jesus was given a name at birth. According to Matthew 1:21 that name is Iesous. That’s Greek. Because Jesus and His family are Jews, one presumes that they spoke Aramaic or Hebrew. However, Jesus isn’t named with a Hebrew name in the Bible. We see only Iesous.

We know that Iesous is the Greek version of the Hebrew name Yeshua, or Y’shua, or Yehosua. It’s the same name as “Joshua.” At no point do we see Jesus referred to in the Bible as either Yeshua or Y’shua, but it seems reasonable to assume that the angel told Joseph to name Him “Yeshua.” Y’shua and Yehosua are simply other forms of the name, like Tony is to Anthony.

So: what is Jesus’ “real name” in Hebrew? My name in Spanish is Antonio. Since I’m American and my parents spoke only English, it’s okay to assume that my “real name” is Anthony. In the same way, Jesus’ name – according to the Bible – is Iesous… but it’s okay to assume that the angel was speaking Hebrew, and that Joseph actually named the baby Yeshua

A linguistic timeline

Jesus’ name in Hebrew is Yeshua, which is a shortened version of Yehoshua.

Yeshua translated into Greek is Iesous.

Iesous transliterated into Latin is Jesu.

Jesu became Jesus in English.

So: Jesus’ name, in English, is kind of “Joshua”. Weird, huh? Translators primarily use the name Jesus to differentiate between Joshua (Moses’ right-hand man) and Jesus (Son of God, Creator of the universe, Messiah).

Is it a translation?

A translation conveys meaning, so Iesous inherits its meaning from Yeshua. A transliteration is simply a letter-for-letter switch: the letters in one language are swapped for letters in another language that make the same sounds. Jesus is not a translation, it’s a modernized Latin transliteration of Iesous. Jesu is a Latin word that sounds like the Greek Iesous.

Jesus does not mean “Yahweh saves” or “the Lord saves” or even “He saves”. Despite the fact that Jesus Himself means a great deal to many people, there’s no English meaning to Jesus at all. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with saying that Jesus’ name means “Yahweh saves.” It’s not linguistically correct, but that’s not very important most of the time.

Isn’t there power in Jesus’ name?

No. The word “Jesus” has no magical powers, and saying it accomplishes nothing spiritually. It’s a name. There’s no special power in the name itself.

There’s nothing about the name itself that makes it more likely that God will give you what you pray for. When the New Testament tells us to pray in Jesus’ name, it doesn’t teach us that the name itself is special. It tells us that the person is special. When an ambassador speaks to a foreign leader, they speak “in the name of” – with the authority of – the one they represent. Jesus is an ambassador, speaking to the Father on our behalf… and speaking to us on behalf of the Father.

When we pray, we’re asking God to act on our behalf. There’s nothing in the Bible to support the superstitious notion that speaking His name does anything on its own. That’s more like witchcraft than Christianity… if you say the incantation right, you get the result. It’s nonsense.

The words have no power of their own, and God will either grant what we ask or He won’t. He will do what He knows is best, regardless of how often or how sincerely we say “Jesus.” When we pray in Jesus’ name, we’re pointing to our relationship with the Father… and that’s made possible by our relationship with Jesus. It’s a bit like saying, “We’re friends, right? Would you loan me $20?”

Should we pray in Jesus’ name?

We should feel free to pray in Jesus’ name. If you’d rather say “Y’shua,” that’s okay. Neither will produce magical results just because we speak the words. However: let’s not be superstitious and pretend that our incantations change anything. We’re asking God for help, or praising Him for being so awesome. We should do that all the time.

Objections

What about Yahshua? Isn’t that Jesus’ real name?
No. Yahshua isn’t actually a name in Hebrew. There’s no Yahushua or Yahua, either. Don’t believe everything you hear.

Doesn’t the name “Jesus” come from the Greek god Zeus?
Again, no. This is ridiculous. Tony (my name) doesn’t come from “toe and knee,” and Jesus has no connection at all to the name Zeus.


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Comments

314 responses to “What Does ‘Jesus’ Mean?”

  1. David Starr says:

    Wrong! There is power in The Name of Jesus!

    • Paul Rimel says:

      Sorry David, no “J” in Hebrew, The name Jesus was introduced in the King James version 1611 either the third or fourth revision. You need to do your own research, the Jesuits and the Vatican we’re behind the name. His real Hebrew Name is Yahusha ha’Mashiach not Jesus Christ. Google Yahusha and find out who you are really serving.

      • Tony says:

        Paul:

        You might take the time to read further down in the comments, where we address the question of “J”. You might also want to actually do a little homework, since your claim is ridiculous. The Jesuits couldn’t have been behind the name “Jesus”, since the letter J first appeared in 1524. The Jesuits weren’t around until after 1532. Such silliness should be avoided, if we’re to have any credibility with regard to the truth.

        • Sean says:

          The First Time The name Jeus was wrongfully used was in the 2nd Version of The king James Bible in June of 1632. He was NOT God or a Son of God.. He Never Claimed To Be & No One That Knew Him Personally Never said he was God… Yeshua Bar Yousef YESHU EASHOA Yehoshua Ya’shua ISA or Joshua NEVER JESUS OR CHRIST… FACTS Jesus is a Name He Never Would’ve Heard Anyone Call Him…. FACTS…. The Bible is Filled With over 1000 Lies Contradictions & Inaccuracies, God & Yeshua & The Oldest Christian Writings Never Mention Heaven or HELL or The Trinity… Care To Explain???

          • Tony says:

            “Care to explain???”

            LOL. Sure. Your comment is filled with inaccuracies, your logic isn’t logical, and your complaints are both irrelevant and nonsensical. How’s that?

            Okay, I’ll be a bit more serious. When you typed “Jeus,” I assume you meant “Jesus.” In order to make the claim that it was “wrongfully used,” you have to explain what makes it wrong. It’s not wrong, you’re wrong. Yes, it’s true that Jesus (while alive the first time) probably never heard anyone call Him “Jesus.” No, that doesn’t make it wrong. Was it wrong to call Him “Iesous”? That’s what the writers of the New Testament called Him. This is an unserious argument.

            As for whether Jesus is God, or the Son of God, and whether He claimed to BE God, you simply don’t have the facts on your side. You don’t seem to know what the New Testament actually SAYS in this regard. In fact, your claim is staggering, in light of your obvious ignorance. How anybody can be SO confident, yet so ridiculous at the same time, is beyond me. You can read what you’re missing here: Did Jesus Claim to be God?. Jesus claimed to be God. The Jews believed Jesus claimed to be God. The High Priest believed Jesus claimed to be God. The disciples believed Jesus is God. In other words, it’s you against Jesus, the Jews who knew Him and killed Him, the High Priest who oversaw His trial, and the men who traveled with Him for three years. I know what you’re going to say next, of course.

            The only way you can make these claims is if you believe that the Bible is an unreliable source of information about Jesus. You say it’s filled with lies, contradictions, and inaccuracies, and that the oldest Christian writings never mention Heaven or Hell or the trinity. That’s not the argument taken by both religious and non-religious scholars. That’s the argument taken by ignorant internet trolls who believe whatever they can find that “proves” their predetermined position.

            Please: don’t take my poke poke poke antagonistic statements in the wrong way. I don’t know you. I’d probably like you, in person. Your comment is garbage, of course… but you’re not. Here’s the question of the day for you, Sean: if I could prove you’re wrong, would you want to follow Jesus? Would your intellectual and emotional reasons for not following Jesus be erased, or is there something else keeping you from trusting the One who created you?

          • Sean says:

            Hahahaha Tony, There is No J or Sound or Equivalent in The Aramaic, Hebrew, Latin & Greek Alphabets, Then & Now… The Trinity is a Pagan Thing, There are No Inaccuracies in my words, Yeshua was Not a God or Son of God!!! He was Rejected by his own people, cause they were expecting a Warrior King To Slay The Enemy Restore Peace to All Nations Build The 3rd Temple, which he Failed To Do, Prophecy was NOT Fulfilled, The New Testament was Written over 300 Years after The Time of The Supposed Events, HELL, not mentioned until around 466 AD, Yeshua himself Never Mentioned anything about Heaven HELL or The Trinity, none of the 3 were preached in Judaism. There is No Jesus, There is No 2nd Coming, Cause There was No First Coming… Humans Wrote & Corrupted The Bibles… We Do Not Have The Original Copies of The Mistranslated Bibles, We Have Copies of Copies of Copies of Copies of Copies, Yosephus, Tacitus, & Pliny The Younger, Were All Forged & or Interpolated, No One That Knew Him, Said he was a God, Nor are There Any Eyewitness Accounts of This Greek Jesus, But There is Evidence of The Greatest Human Prophet in Yeshua Bar Yousef Tho. The Dead Sea Scrolls Do Not Mention Yeshua or Your Greek Jesus, & neither do the 20 secret dead sea scrolls mention either… To be a Good Christian, Is To Be a Lying Judgemental Hypocrite…. Religion is a Lie!!! There is No Afterlife. Yeshua & Co were illiterate peasants, that couldn’t read or write? The NT was not only written over 300 years after, it was written in Koine Greek. There’s So Much Christians Get Wrong is Sad… Where’s Proof Outside of The Mistranslated Bibles?? I’ll Wait??

          • Tony says:

            Oh. You say there are no inaccuracies in your words? That settles it, then. Thanks.

            Pretty much everything you’ve written is contrary to all of the available evidence, Sean. You can repeat yourself all day long, but you can’t back up your claims with evidence. Yes, you can try to undermine everything about Jesus by claiming that the Bible is wrong about Him. No, that doesn’t make you right. How would you know that the Bible is mistranslated? The only way to know that is to find the originals… you know, to have something to compare to. You have nothing… and we have thousands of documents from the first “300 years” of Christianity that echo what the so-called mistranslations say. You’re just wrong.

            You did get one thing right: the New Testament was indeed written in Koine Greek. You make that sound like a bad thing. Almost everything from that time period written in that region was written in Koine Greek. It was the common language.

            You sound angry. What happened to you?

        • Iggy says:

          You can’t dismiss people by saying silliness since there was so many names with the g sound since you dismiss the letter J so easily without fact. I am was pronounced “gee” or “Je” short for Jesus or Je zeus if you want to go with oral traditions not I am Zeus, I am the I am. I am Je or I am Jesus! Does the Holy Spirit speak to you? What about witnessing many more miracles in Jesus Name and none in Yeshuas?
          Pronunciation is important when words caused our world to exist!

          • Tony says:

            Iggy:

            With respect, you’re simply wrong. I can indeed “dismiss people” in that way. If I told you that my son is Jack the Ripper, you would be right to be dismissive. My son wasn’t alive in the 1800s, and has never been to England. In the same way, if someone claims that Jesuits were behind the creation of the name “Jesus,” you have to be able to put those two things on a timeline and see if they match. They don’t, obviously.

            I didn’t, by the way, dismiss Paul. I said that his claim was ridiculous. That means that it is worthy of ridicule, as it’s impossible… and very easy to disprove. I appreciate you trying to stick up for him, but he’s able to defend himself just fine.

            On the other hand, I’m not sure where you’re getting YOUR information.

            1. “I am” in Greek is ego eimi… pronounced eh-go ayy-me. The G is a hard g, as in “go.”
            2. “I am” in Hebrew is haya aser haya amar… pronounced ha-ya ashair ha-ya ah-mair. There is no hard or soft G in there.

            In other words, “I am” was NOT pronounced “gee” or “Je,” it is not short for Jesus, and the words Jesus and Zeus are not linguistically connected in any way.

            Whether the Holy Spirit speaks to you or to me is irrelevant to this discussion. You’re making a claim about language that can be assessed without direct revelation from God, and you’re simply wrong about it. The number of miracles done using Jesus versus using Yeshua is also irrelevant. Why? Because the only situation in which using words that way could possibly matter is in MAGIC INCANTATIONS. Get the spell right, win a prize. Get the spell wrong, get nothing… or worse. We see nothing like this in the Bible, of course.

            I see that you’re a Word of Faith follower. I’m sorry to see that, of course. I’m sorry to see that you’ve been suckered into believing that faith is a force, and that words are the containers of that force, and that God took advantage of that method to create the universe. Why? Because it’s nonsense. No, I’m not dismissing you. I’m dismissing the idea, which is completely different. You’re super important and valuable… but some ideas are better than others, and you would be well-served by examining whether Word of Faith teachers have gotten that part wrong. If it’s true, why don’t you just ‘positively confess’ that my website would suddenly be changed to agree with whatever Kenneth Hagin said? Wait, you say… that wouldn’t work? Why not? If Creflo Dollar is right about you being able to create your own universe with faith-filled words, changing my website with the power of belief should be no big deal for you. Right?

            Let me know how I can help. Whether you want to think so or not, I’m actually on your side.

      • Eternity Now says:

        No way Paul… Jesus’ name was not introduced in the 2nd or 3rd edition of the King James.. sorry wrong.
        I dont know where you got your information from but it sounds like another cut down of Jesus Christ and of the KJV.
        Listen to Will Kinny… he knows alot and is a good teacher concerning the KJV.

        • ololo chukwuemeka bright says:

          sir
          please which bible is suitable for us children of YAHUA THE MOST HIGH to study
          u hear of a bible called CEPHER is it adviceable to study that.
          Moreso where can one find the individual account of each of the apostles of christ and the accounts by the immediate early church before the pentecost and 10 yrs after the pentecost
          help with this info
          thanks

          • Tony says:

            Ololo:

            I cannot recommend the Cepher “bible”. I definitely cannot recommend it for Bible study.

            Bibles should be created by scholars who are familiar with the original languages, who work with a team of scholars to avoid inserting bias into the text, and whose work matches biblical theology. The Cepher “bible” breaks all of these guidelines. Not only can I not recommend it, I would avoid it at all costs.

            As for history, the Bible is our primary source. We have no more info about “the immediate early church” prior to Pentecost than what is in the Gospels and Acts. Everything else that we might find is either 1) a traditional account that can’t be substantiated, or 2) false. Avoid sensational accounts of non-biblical events, as they usually stray from biblical theology. Stick with the 66 inspired books for study.

            Let me know if you have any questions.

          • Shammua says:

            Oh no no, the Bible is not the authority on History; the Bible is only an authority on Biblical Literature and Biblical History, BUT NOT, history. Can you find the history on the great Egyptian Dynasties before Abraham went into Africa, or the Nubians etc ??????

          • Tony says:

            Shammua:

            Please read carefully. While I did say that the Bible is our primary source for history, the context was Ololo’s question about the early church. You’re obviously right that the Bible is not our source for all of history…but you missed the point entirely. I was answering a question about a specific part of history, and that history is primarily found in the texts of the New Testament. Wouldn’t you agree?

        • wpc says:

          wees welcome yous who be as cities with city walls to be knowing of how to try the spirit so you need not inquire of pharosees of jesus name wees bid you peace so be it

      • Rod Johnson says:

        That is a false hood. There has been a J sound in Hebrew Just like there is a J sound in Greek. To say there is not is a lie. Paleo Hebrew is a Semitic language. Just like all other Semitic languages they Have a J sound in it. One does not have to have the letter to have the sound. In deed you have not studied true Hebrew. Aramaic is not Hebrew. It is a form of a Semitic language from babylon. You need to do more research before you make these statements. I can give you some links. There has been such corruption and the Net has been so corrupted one can not find the true Rabbi Hebrew web sites that used to be on the net with the true Hebrew break down because of the false hebrew roots type trash. They explain and showed you how and the way the J sound is used with what alignment of Consonants But like I said the false doctrines of the Hebrew roots have corrupted. Look up the Semitic languages. You will find the same info with out the corruption of the Root junk.

        • Tersia says:

          Plaas send the linkso you refer to.

        • Brandy viihcars says:

          I can tell you where the name Jesus Christ came from but you probably will not believe me. The man God, who is in heaven now because he was killed, he saw everything that was going to happen way before it ever happened. He seen what kind of person Jesus would be when he rose after being crossed and he made up Jesus Christ because he knew that Jesus showed a lot of expression towards different feelings and emotions. Also he knew Jesus had a lot of feelings and emotions. See you know the Joshua tree and how it has no leaves on it. Well it’s like the ancestry tree that people decided they would take leaves off of and in doing that it cause so many people heartache and pain and people destroy people’s lives just to be rich. So there you go. Jesus means Joshua, Christ is a form of expression. I had a dream one time that Jesus was calling out his own name and didn’t even know it.

          • Tony says:

            Wow, Brandy. That’s a whole bunch of, well…stuff. Let me ask you a very simple question: where can I find the evidence that what you say is true? You’re convinced, but I’m sure you’re not asking anyone else to believe you without having some reason to change their minds. Do you have any evidence?

          • ELIEZER says:

            WELL SAID, GOD BLESS YOU BROTHER.

          • Michelle says:

            Are you on drugs

        • June says:

          My experience in asking “true Hebrew rabbis” questions about God and the scriptures is that they refuse to speak with me, because I am gentile. Do you imagine this sort of response in 21st Century North America?

        • Rene says:

          Could you please place the links… Would realy appreciate it… The net is realy full of falsehood

      • Phina says:

        Hi Paul i’m new to this website and i so agree with u and Amen 2 that and i’m new to this truth i know that theres of lost people in the christian church and i so believe that our true creator which is TMH YAH he is coming 4 his people his chosen people and i know 4 in fact that i want 2 make it in his kingdom and that i know were living in the last days and that we must follow him and follow his laws ways and conmmaitis and i’m very excited for this new Journey in my life im so thankful that i left the chruch like 11 months now and i left like last year of septmber and thankful that hes giving me a chance to make it right with him and to know him and shalom my brother
        @PAUL RIMEL

      • Ang says:

        Shua. Not sha. Sha is not a Hebrew word. Shua is. Do more of YOUR own research brother

      • Matthew Hirsch says:

        So you call the SON and THE FATHER a liar..?? He said to Abraham he’s make decentants from ALL nation’s and languages..JESUS means ANOINTED one CHRIST means MESSIAH savior THE WAY and THE WORD..listen to THE WORD to GET TO THE WAY! PRAISE BE HIS NAME THE SON and THE FATHER!

        Yes the Hebrew SAY ELOHIM YAHWEH YaHUAH and YAHUSHUA
        Are the WAY..IF only one language was correct how would I BE SAVED?
        THE POWER AND GLORY TO THE FATHER AND MY BROTHER WHO SAVE. I DO GET IT..IT SHOULD BE JOSHUA..YAHWEH is THE WAY in English or JA WAY JA is THE. I GET IT we have no right to say this as you have no right to say that..my language is English not hebrew..not Aramaic not greek..there for HOW can the TRIBE be of ALL NATIONS?? If only one lauguage is used??

        • Tony says:

          Matthew:

          While I admire your enthusiasm, your comment needs some work. It’s more of an attack than a comment, and that’s not really very welcome here.

          Besides…if you’re going to correct someone, it’s a good idea to make sure you know what you’re talking about first. Jesus doesn’t mean “anointed one,” it means ‘He will save.’ The word Christ (which isn’t a name, by the way) means “anointed one.” Even though Jesus is both, neither word means messiah or savior. Yahweh doesn’t mean “the way.”

          If you have something constructive to say, you’re more than welcome here. Please do your homework and bring along all of the relevant facts, and we will work through these issues together. Have a great day!

        • June says:

          Matthew, you are ABSOLUTELY RIGHT! God is signified in every language. His Name, especially His Name that He uses for the salvation of man, is set in every language, no matter what letter they have or not have in their alphabet. These mental giants need to stop belittling God’s sovereignity.

        • ELIEZER says:

          YES ALL HE ASKS IS FOR OBEDIENCE. NOT SPELLINGS AND SACRIFICES (FULFILLED BY ?). FAITH, OBEDIENCE, FASTS & PRAYER AND SEEKING WITH A WHOLE HEART THAT ALL IS POSSIBLE. GOD BLESS ALL BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

        • Sheri Scholes says:

          I am a New Zealander and English is my language but if I went to live in another country I would still want to be called by my name not have my name translated into the language of the country I was living in. Call your Eloheim by his correct name Yahshua and Yahweh not Jesus and God.

          • Tony says:

            Sheri:

            While I appreciate reading your opinion, I have to turn to Scripture for guidance on all things relating to God. If it’s “correct” to say Yahshua and Yahweh, then Jesus’ first and closest disciples got it wrong. If you read through the New Testament, they didn’t write Jesus’ Hebrew name, as you suggest. Instead, they wrote Iesous Christos…that is, they used Jesus’ Greek name and title. They didn’t write Yahweh but Theos.

            I’m going to stick with their example. Your opinion seems good on the surface, but I’m not inclined to think that the New Testament writers got it wrong. If they felt free to use another language, I will too.

      • June says:

        God’s Names are signified in every lnguage – so that all people can maintain an intimate, personal relationship with Him. I do not have to aggravate my tongue, trying to call God in a language that I do not speak; and with my best effort still mis-pronounce it. It’s peculiar to hear English speaking people pronouncing God’s Hebrew/Aramaic Names in English. You cannot justify writing Yeshua and pronoucing it Yea-shoo-ah for this Hebrew word: ישוע or Yehoshua for: יהושע. The KJV of the Bible is Authorized by God; since He allows JESUS, then it is all good. The Bible is the infallible word of God – HE is Above All.

        • Tony says:

          I agree, June: it does not matter which language we use to call out to God.

          As for your claim that the King James Version is “Authorized by God,” you might take a look at The King James Only Controversy. I’d love to read your response. Have a great day!

          • June says:

            WOW! Tony, I went and read the KJVO Controversy. I say WOW Tony! Again and Again and Again. Well I am not going to give my response to everything that you said here. That would be very unfair to the Dear Readers. I will respond to each point in a different post. Firstly, let me establish that I am not of the KJVO camp. When I made the comment that the text was authorized it was not in comparison to any other Bible version[s], or any other book for that matter. It was based entirely on the authenticity of the KJV, itself; saying that it was given to us as a gift from God, so the character of that version speaks of God’s faithfulness, His thoroughness and His Powerfulness! I have proven that many other versions are the works of men’s hands and intellect, but even those God can and doth use to reach souls. That’s one of the things that I love about God…He is so unique and established; even that which is meant for evil He turns it for good. If a believer is genuine God will save him/her, even without a book. However, God does author and present Books to mankind. The KJV was God’s gift to English speaking people. This statement is not a criticism of other texts, just an endorsement of the KJV that it can be trusted as a divine endowment to Man [both male and female.] God, as The Almighty who signifies Himself to Man by writings, is obligated and able to preserve His words, and distribute it [through channels, persons and means chosen by Him.] If the KJV is not the preserved words of God, which is the version? [I am asking] I work with the KJV and I am attesting: ABSOLUTELY No Contradictions! Only God could achieve such a feat. If He had left it up to Man, it would be fraughted with imperfections and flaws. So I read the KJV and say, “Thank You Jesus.” If The ALL-MIGHTY God cannot, or can but did not, send me a genuine letter, He could not blame me for missing His point. And all who miss even the slightest iota of His word will not be perfected in Him – that is how serious God is about His words. This statement is not limited to any version or manuscript or Bible, but His whole words, from the beginning until now, even that which He wrote on the walls of Belthshazzar’s palace in Babylon. I give God all credit for preserving His words for me in my mother-tongue.

            Having said, I do not know why anyone would want to form KJVO club. Some folks are just too fanatic. God never endorse any fan club for any version of the scriptures. We hardly have enough time to truly study the words in depth and to live by them. Using valuable time to crusade for one version of the Bible is vain and futile. Languages are fluid. They evolve. I have a 1611 Authorized KJV and I say: God I am so glad this is not the only presentation of the scriptures in English, because that is one mighty difficult text to read. English-speaking people do not communicate by such vernacular any more. And as the language evolves, God will continue to authorize updates. If God endorses, it is ALL GOOD! In the KJV if something seems contradictory, go to God and ask Him to aid your UNDERSTANDING and you will be so surprised as to His readiness to lead you into all TRUTH. God’s logic is so awesome and attainable. It is absolutely without confusion or contradictions! HALLELUJAH! THANK YOU, JESUS!

          • Tony says:

            June:

            I’m happy to hear that you’re not KJVO. Your use of the word “Authorized” threw me off. You seem to suggest that it is God who authorized it, and that’s why the word is used. Certainly God allowed it, and I would say that He superintended and shepherded the work…but the “authorized” part didn’t appear until a couple hundred years after it was published. It was, in theory, authorized by a church council, but we’re not sure.

            I find a few of your comments troubling. You seem to be saying that certain other Bibles are the work of men, meant for evil. Is that what you’re saying? If so, to which Bibles are you referring?

            You asked “which is the version?”. You and I seem to agree that the KJV is a trustworthy and reliable translation of God’s Word. It is not the only one, of course. Some came before, others after. As the preface to the KJV – written by the translators – makes clear, it is not unique among Bibles. It is imperfect, of course. The translators made that point, and hoped that others would come after them and make improvements. To answer your question, there are a LOT of translations and paraphrases of the Bible that are equally reliable, or more reliable. You do know what the “V” in KJV stands for, right? When a Bible uses a “V,” it’s a “version”…a paraphrase. When there’s a “B,” it’s a translation. Let’s not pretend that the King James is something that it’s not.

            You wrote that God is obligated to preserve His words. That’s a confusing statement, so I’ll ask for clarity: to whom is God obligated?

            We agree that there are no contradictions in the Bible. It’s clear that there are errors, but not contradictions in content.

            You wrote that “all who miss even the slightest iota of His word will not be perfected in Him.” From where do you get this idea? It seems to suggest that one needs to fully understand everything God has revealed, or they will not be saved and gain eternal life. Is that what you mean?

            I love the KJV. It’s awesome, and I’m grateful for it. It’s an amazing work, to be sure. Let’s not pretend that it’s perfect, though. It’s not flawless, but it’s more than enough to accomplish God’s purposes.

          • June says:

            Tony, if the Bible says that “unicorns” existed then unicorns existed, whether or not they looked like what modern men perceived they looked like. If an “auroch’ or otherwise “wild bull” existed and were called unicorns, then so be it. Even if they are extinct, the Bible is not going to erase the mention of them, because the word of God is truth and God will not allow it to be manipulated by men.

            This brings to the front of my mind a position that I am in with the word “gay” – an adjective in the English language, which means “happy” in disposition. As a child I wrote much poetry. Many of them featured joyous persons, which I used the word “gay” to signify; so it was very prominent in my poems. Today, I totally avoid the word, because of its modern association.

            There is a great possibility that a young person, from this era, without knowledge of the origin/etymology of the word “gay,” might read and interpret my writings, of yester-year, and conclude that I highlighted and featured sodomites. They could conclude, using entirely the current connotations of the word, that sodomy was very prevalent in my time and settings, which was entirely not the case. Sodomy was not even heard of. That is why God has to be the eternal author of His own words. He had to choose the vocabulary that would perpetually maintain His original meaning. To leave this up to Man would be a disaster to His words. God Bless You All.

          • Tony says:

            June:

            Don’t be silly. The word “unicorn” is simply a poor translation of re’em. No, aurochs were not called unicorns. They were called aurochs.

            Your confidence in what God will and won’t do is admirable, but apparently misplaced. You seem to think that no man could manipulate God’s word. That is entirely illogical. Have you read any part of the Dake’s Bible? In a previous comment, you said that you have proved that certain versions of the Bible are “the works of men’s hands and intellect.” Which is it: can man manipulate God’s word or not? Does that extend to the spoken word, where men repeat what God has said? If not, why not?

            Thanks for taking the time to write your thoughts. I truly appreciate it, and I hope that others will benefit as much as I have. Have a great day!

          • Lance GOODNEWS says:

            Hi June, I bless God for the time, wisdom and understanding through which you responded to Tony. Remember the creature that was used to decive Eve in Eden was more subtil than any beast of the field, therefore try to avoid any controversial conversation with persons who seems to be very crafty. Remain bless always in Jesus Christ Amen.

          • Tony says:

            Lance:

            Your comment seems a bit, well…crafty. Why is that?

          • Lance GOODNEWS says:

            Tony
            If you say my comment is crafty, it is crafty in the wisdom, knowledge and understanding of the Words of the Saviour Jesus Christ.

          • Tony says:

            I see.

            How can someone discern between the craftiness of the serpent and the craftiness of a servant?

        • ELIEZER says:

          AMEN

      • Kester Sujay says:

        Paul, you are absolutely right. Thank Yahoshua for the revelation coming to many.

        • Tony says:

          Kester:

          Really? How in the world could Paul be “absolutely right” when RIGHT BELOW his nonsense comment are the facts that prove him wrong? Maybe it’s never occurred to you that ZERO New Testament authors wrote Yahusha ha’Mashiach in their books. All of them wrote Iesous Christos. In case you just woke up, that’s Greek… not Hebrew. No, Paul was not “absolutely right” and neither are you. You can do better, my friend.

      • Dan says:

        That’s his birth name, the name that the angel Gabriel told John to call him.
        According to acts 4:12 there is no other name under heaven where by we must be saved.
        Yahusha.

        • Tony says:

          Dan:

          I believe Acts 4:12 completely.

          However, I have a serious question for you. Can you tell me where I can see the name that Gabriel said? Not in an English translation, or a Chinese translation, or a Swahili translation… but in the original language? How would someone verify what Gabriel said? If we must get the name right, we should be able to KNOW what the name is. What IS it, and how can I know it with certainty?

          Thanks!

    • sherry says:

      Amen yes there is power in his name

    • Michael archangel says:

      You are correct. .. in a hellenized Judea jesus is the proper name.even yhwh would be read backwards right to left in hebrew hwhy. Do not let the worshipers of Jupiter of the old world fool you. jesus was merger by blood of three dynastic families. His sacrifice ended the worship of Ken and rocks

      • Tony says:

        Mike:

        This is beyond dumb.

        Yes, in a left-to-right reading situation your name would look like ekiM. Your name would not, however, be ekiM. It would still be Mike, regardless of the direction in which it’s written. I’ve removed the URL you posted because it’s beyond ridiculous. I wish you well.

        • David says:

          Didn’t God say “I am not the author of confusion! Man, these guys are making this truly complicated! He also said “I will preserve my word”. Goodness gracious! The Lord knows if you are following him and love him or not, doesn’t he know EVERYONES heart, is he ALL knowing!?? If you we’re duped into saying the wring name, (which if so, then so have billions others) I think it’s safe to say that God will NOT hold that against you… Love him with all your heart and listened, hear his Word , obey him and you are fine!

          • Mike R says:

            David, well said. What people need to do is understand the meaning behind the words “in my name” or “in the name of Jesus”. Whether his name is Jesus or Yeshua or Yahoshua or Emanuel, has nothing to do with these words at all… not even in the slightest. When Yahoshua said these words, do you really think He was saying… ” If you use my name Jesus you can get what you want?. Shallow thinking indeed. No, what He means is if you do as I do, and believe as I believe, and believe I am who I am, ONLY then can you get what you want. The reason for this is simple… IF in fact you do as He did .i.e Love The Father, Love your neighbour, and live a righteous life, then “what you want” will now be different from “What you wanted” when you did not believe Him. So in short, “In my name ” means to live as He did and He will pass on to you the same power as He has. Did He not say… later men will come who are greater than me? Can an evil man say “in the name of Jesus you are healed”? No No No, only a righteous man can! Why? Because a righteous man is already “in Jesus’ name” without saying a word of His name. Having said all this, I have no argument with Tony the author either as he is correct about the Hebrew name of Messiah which is in fact Yahoshua but pronounced Yahushua … or Ya-hoo-shua. But when somebody speaks of Jesus to me, of course I know who they are talking about. Like David said…. The Father and Creator of us knows our hearts, and that folks is what life is all about… not whether we err in a name or not. My name is Michael, in Spanish I am Miguel, but gee… I am not offended if a Spanish person calls me Miguel, and I doubt very much whether God would also.

          • Rachelyn Ruaya says:

            Well said!

          • ELIEZER says:

            ??AMEN BROTHER, COULDN’T HAVE SAID IT BETTER. GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS.

    • Alphonso Jackson says:

      For one there j’s in the alphabet until the 1600 trying to transliterate the name yeshua to Jesus they could not because of Greeks do not have yhe ya sound or the sh sound so therefore they put the closes letter to translating it. And if his name is salvation in English why not put salvation and leave his name alone if your name is Butch its butch wherever country you go to while you going to Slander the name of the ha mashiach for ? He was jewish not greek or english. Acts 4:12 says. 12 There is salvation in no one else! For there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by whom we must be saved!” I didn’t say one name translated and didn’t say one name transliterated it says one name under heaven PERIOD …. Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 42:8 says.. I am Yhwh; that is my name.
      and My esteem i do not give to another,
      nor my praise to idols.

      • Tony says:

        Alphonso:

        If you’re going to make a claim – especially one that touches on spiritual things – it’s important to do a little homework first. Your claim about 1600 isn’t accurate, for example. The J first appeared in the 13th century. If you’re going to claim that it’s crucial to call the Messiah by His proper name (and by no other name), then you’re going to have to deal with the fact that Jesus and the disciples likely spoke Aramaic and not Hebrew in their everyday lives. Aramaic was the common language of the day, and didn’t enjoy a resurgence until long after Jesus’ death and resurrection. If using the Hebrew version of His name was crucial – as you claim – then what do you make of the fact that the New Testament documents were primarily written in Greek? For example, John 1:1 refers to Jesus as Iesous Christos…was John wrong to use those letters to refer to Jesus?

        Of course not.

        • Righteous Judgements says:

          For 1 the point is since you are trying to be argumentative.. THE POINT ISIS THE LETTER IS DRILL WAY PAST NEW WHETHER 1600 OR 1300 IT STILL ISN’T HIS NAME. I REBUKE YOU ON THE NAME OF YAHSHUA AMEN. You need to look up the word transliterate. And identify what it means. that destroys his name .then you can’t translate from Hebrew to Greek into Latin into English but then again some say from Greek to Latin to German into English you cannot destroy the savior’s name and call it his true name you just can’t do it.The Word of Elohim also says beware of False Prophets too.Shalom…….

          • Tony says:

            Is that you, Alphonso? I thought so. =)

            I’m not trying to be argumentative. I’m trying to help people understand Scripture. Read the original article. The question is whether praying “in Jesus’ name” makes it more likely that your prayer will be answered. How would you answer that question? Would you answer YES…speaking Jesus’ name makes your prayer more likely to be answered, or would you answer NO…speaking that name doesn’t guarantee anything at all?

            The idea that just saying “Jesus” makes spiritual things happen is silly. That’s how magic works…you speak the incantation, you perform the spell. That’s not how God does anything. Instead, God listens to our prayers, knows our hearts, and answers…not based on what we want, but based on what He knows is best for us. I’m not sure how anybody in their right mind can disagree with that, but there are clearly a whole bunch who do.

            I don’t mind your rebuke, by the way. I’m not sure what you think that accomplishes. What was the goal there? To make me feel bad? To make something bad happen to me? I’m curious…and I’m serious about hearing an answer from you. What does your rebuke mean?

            Finally: you haven’t addressed the issue in our last exchange. John (you know John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, who was probably our Lord’s best friend on earth, who wrote several books in the Bible) didn’t use Jesus’ Hebrew name when he wrote. He used Iesous Christos, which is Greek. Was John right or wrong when he did that? Would you rebuke John as well? Would you suggest that John was a false prophet?

            Your answer will tell me a lot about why you’re here. I’m guessing you’re part of the Watchtower Society…am I right? If so, let us reason together. I don’t want to fight you, I want us to work together as iron sharpens iron. Are you willing?

          • Rachelyn Ruaya says:

            Well said!

          • Ti Ti B says:

            HEY tony it’s a sham that Alphonso dude never responded. I was thoroughly enjoying the logical and emotional flow from both of you. You’re very intelligent – I was hoping to hear more from that reply chain! haha!

          • Tony says:

            Ti Ti B:

            Thanks. I’m glad you were enjoying it! Alphonso comes and goes, and I’m sure he’ll be back at some point. It may not be here, on this thread. I’m assuming he’s a Jehovah’s Witness. I’ll be surprised if he’s not. In previous encounters with JWs, they tend to talk a good game…until you try to pin them down, and then they disappear. That’s not a put-down, and I’m not saying that all JWs are so timid…I’m just saying that this is my experience, even with high-level leaders from the local JW community. They have a tendency to just pretend you never had a conversation.

      • Shonn says:

        The truth name of the most high is Yahuah and Yahshua the son not Jesus.

        • Tony says:

          From where do you get this information, Shonn? You see, I’d like to be able to agree with you…but I don’t have the evidence in front of me. Can you help by telling me where I can find what I need to change my mind? Thanks!

          • Sean says:

            The Letter J Did Not Exist in The 1st Century Palestine, in either the Aramaic, Latin, Greek, & Hebrew Alphabets…. Facts Look it up. Jesus or The Christ is 2 things he NEVER would’ve heard anyone ever call him that. Yeshua Yeoshua or Eashoa… Yeshua was NOT Divine nor The GOD or The Son of God.. Religion is PURE BS & Lies & Inaccuries & Contradictions… Yeshua was Never Crucified nor Resurrected & Lived To Be 80 Years Old… Spent Many Years in India, hence why there are over 28 Million Christians in India & Spent Remainder of His Life in South France Married To Mary & They Had 2 Children, Son Judah & Daughter Sarah… 66 Famous Historians Including Phyllo Judeaus or Phyllo of Alexandria Same Person, Never Wrote About Yeshua or Christianity. Never Spoke of 3 Days of Darkness & Zombies Rising From The Dead & No Powerful Earthquake, NOTHING… There is NO Such Place as Heaven or Hell!!!!!!!!!!! Bishop Eusebius of Cesarea Was a Rank Known Liar & Forger for The Church & Believed it Was Ok TO Lie if it Benefited Te Flying Spaghetti Monster in The Sky….. The Bible is Man Written & Horribly Mistranslated & is NOT The Inerrant Word of Elohim…

          • Tony says:

            Mmhmm. Utter nonsense, Sean. I have to congratulate you, though: you’ve successfully gathered a whole bunch of conspiracy theories into one place. I’m not even going to argue with you about any of this, because it’s idiotic…but I will make one suggestion. Take the time to research the evidence behind what YOU just wrote. For example, look at the actual, tangible evidence that Jesus was never crucified. See if it holds water. It doesn’t, but you should know that from first-hand research. Don’t take my word for it. Check it out. I dare you.

    • Christian says:

      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 the earth. Phil 2:9-10.
      Yes there’s power in the name JESUS and it works for me.
      Translated or transliterated, the most important thing is that it points towards the same person:Jesus Christ The SAVIOUR of the world who gave his life for us all.

      Thank you

      • Martin says:

        Am so happy that you said that it is working for you. To our Creator be all the glory. Please I have question to ask you but the question will require your city and country. So may you, if you do not mind, state your city and your country. Thanks

        • June says:

          I want to hear what you have to say: So I am saying that the Name JESUS truly works for me when used from a heart of faith. I am in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.

      • Brinda Honora says:

        “THAT AT THE “SHEM” (PERSON- HOOD GIVEN TO MESSIAH BY YAHWEH[FATHER GOD] EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW.
        NOT THE LITERAL NAME “Jesus” Study yourself to be approved !

      • June says:

        What fascinates me about arguments such as these is that the speakers are locked into one word – JESUS! But do you all realize that we have a whole Bible in front of us, which none of it was originally written in English. No one in the Bible spoke ENGLISH. So if we are going to revert to the original language of the Name of the Saviour/Messiah, we just going to have to forget the whole English Bible. You cannot consent to have the rest of the Bible in English but only the Name of “JESUS” in the original language. [I want to ask, “Do you understand” my point; but is a little hesitant, because the last time that I was engaged in a religious conversation online, and asked that question, somebody got really offended; admonished and rebuked me – to which I did not rebutt – and said that they were never coming back to the chat room, because “some people just want to be understood and they do not know that it is better to understand than to be understood.” But I asked the question, because if we’re not understanding each other then the conversation is unprofitable. So I hope that my point was understandable and none were offended. By-the-way, TONY, I appreciate your attitude.

    • kunta says:

      Show me the Jesus name in the original text and ill believe you.I wont what the Father named his Ben. Not what man did transliterated it to. Shalom

      • Tony says:

        Kunta:

        You might check out P37, one of the oldest manuscripts of Matthew. It’s in Greek, of course. Examine the high-resolution scans available online for yourself, and see that the Messiah is referred to as Iesous Christos and not Yeshua (or any other Hebrew variant). Was Matthew wrong to call His Master Iesous Christos?

        • Calvin B. says:

          Tony,Yes it is in Greek ok,But who was matthew?Yudah or Greek.the ones who got together and put the book together spoke Greek.So they were commissioned to write in their language.But they asked the wrong people what those symbols meant.So they did what they thought was best and when they couldn’t find match for their tongue they put something thought would fit it best.So the show stopper:you ready;IS THE CREATOR OF EVERYTHING GREEK?LATIN?so tell me Sir gen:11:1 and the (hold) earth was of one (LANGUAGE)and of ONE SPEECH.what speech was greek latin ?you pepole get on here and say these words that YHWH did not say or do YAH says I AM YHWH I CHANGE NOT!EX:20,7Thou Shall Not Take THE NAME of YHWH thyELOHIM in vain;(why)Because YHWH will not hold him guiltless that taketh HIS NAME IN VAIN

          • Tony says:

            Thanks for commenting, Calvin. Your suggestion isn’t new to me, of course…and there are serious problems with your view. I will mention a few:

            • “the ones who got together and put the book together spoke Greek” – You seem unaware of history in this matter. First, nobody “put the book together.” Some leaders got together to ask which books were in use in local churches, and were also considered inspired. They excluded writings that didn’t add any unique information, and agreed on what was already being agreed upon by the Body of Christ. What you suggest about the process is inaccurate.
            • “is the creator of everything greek? Latin?” – As I said, your suggestion isn’t new. Others have made the same argument, and have as much evidence to back it up…that is, no evidence at all. You don’t come right out and say it, but the implication is that God speaks Hebrew. Again, you seem unaware of history. Aramaic is an ancestor language of Hebrew. Did God speak Aramaic in the Garden of Eden? Nobody knows, because nobody knows. When you can provide some evidence, let me know. Until then, I’ll assume that God can and does communicate in any and every language so as to save people from every tribe and tongue.
            • “I change not” – Clearly, you haven’t spent a lot of time thinking about this part. Does God say that nothing about Him ever changes, or could He be speaking in a specific way? The evidence, both Scriptural and logical, are overwhelmingly against you. Here’s an idea for you: God, in eternity past, had not created the heavens and the earth as outlined in Genesis 1:1. Then, He created. Is that not changing? God acts and intervenes in human history, after not having done so. Is this not changing? God entered into a covenant with Moses, then superseded that covenant in Christ. Is this not changing? Clearly, Exodus 20:7 does not mean that God never changes in any way. It means that His essential characteristics don’t change. You’ve gone beyond what Scripture says to make a claim that Scripture can’t back up.
            • “taketh His name in vain” – With respect, Calvin…you should do a study of what this commandment means. It certainly doesn’t mean using a Greek translation for Yeshua, or an English one. When you’ve done this bit of homework, please do come back and check in. I’d like to read about what you learn.

            In the meantime, please know that I wish you God’s very best. If you dispute anything I’ve written, please be specific about where I’ve gone wrong. If you have evidence for which language God speaks, I’d love to see it. I will then share it with the rest of the world, as this would be an earth-shattering revelation. I wish you well.

        • Brinda Honora says:

          You are reading material corrupted by the Latin spoken in the Roman Catholic Church. Those ,so-called ,”church-fathers changed everything to corrupt anything “Hebrew/Semitic ” Study Yourself to be approved

          • Tony says:

            I appreciate you taking the time to comment, Brinda. Unfortunately, at this time, I’m unable to agree with you. You suggest that I study to show myself approved. Let me suggest that you do your part: provide for me (and the millions of visitors who will read this article) some evidence that what you say is true. You may be right, and I may be wrong…but, without some evidence, we can’t know which. Where did you learn this?

            P37 is a Greek manuscript, not a Latin manuscript. It’s very unlikely that the later language (Latin) corrupted the earlier language (Greek).

            Finally, please provide some evidence that the “so-called” church fathers “changed everything to corrupt anything Hebrew/Semitic.” That would, as I wrote to Calvin earlier, be earth-shattering news that the world needs to know about.

      • Archie says:

        I have heard it said , that jesus translates loosely to mean “earth pig” and that would make sense knowing who translated it in the first place !

        • Tony says:

          This is utter nonsense, Archie. There’s no truth to it. I’ve covered the basics in replies to earlier comments. Please feel free to read them.

          • Grace says:

            You confusing people , u think u r smart but I DONOT think so. There is no any other name given from heaven except Jesus. Jesus name can have different translations in different languages but the meaning is the same. Because of the meaning of His name people are saved. You do not have an idea what you are doing. Did you know Muslims say that Jesus’ name is Isa and that was never his name. This is Satan’s work always changing the name of Jesus and his divinity. So when. You say Jesus’ name has no power you have lost your salvation. You are talking like antichrist people and many Muslims can use your work to support their message of the Quran. Remove this explanation that you have here. Look like you only read the Bible but not study it. You do not have a spiritual relationship with Jesus. When we have a relationship with Jesus we get the revelation of the meaning of His name. Only Holy Spirit filled peope can tell what is the name of Jesus. I don’t care about theologians, the human mind that is corrupted by Satan.

          • Tony says:

            Grace:

            Thanks for writing to me. I’d like to know where in the Bible I can find this information. It’s not that I don’t believe you, it’s that I won’t believe you without some evidence that what you say is true. How can I know that you’re right? Thanks for helping.

    • firework says:

      David here is what name is referring to:
      in the name of 1
      : by authority of

      they cast out demons ‘in His name’ or ‘in the name of Christ Jesus the Nazarene’…etc.

      Coming straight from the Merriam Webster dictionary.

      It also refers to reputation (see post further down about taking His name in vain).

    • Jerry says:

      The name of Jesus is not magical. And using the name of Jesus does not mean you will receive what you pray for however every man is given a measure of faith. And just because your eyes have not been opened to a revelation doesnt mean a common begger might not have more faith than you. Isnt it interesting how God breaks down everything that rises itself above his spirit. As a man thinks in his heart so is he, proverbs 23:7. The name of Jesus has great power and authority. Its not wise to say anything about the limitations of God that your own mind and heart perceive and begin to try and teach a person with a difeerent measure of faith than your own. Theres an old saying, “theres more than one way to skin a cat.” Its funny how God can use such a red neck jargan to break down something that tries to explain the excellence in the name of Jesus. If my faith says it does then it does.

      • Jill Dosee says:

        Whatever you ask the Father in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Ask and you shall receive that your joy may be full. There is power in the name of Jesus to heal, deliver, and set every captive free.

        • Tony says:

          Jill:

          I’m sorry to have to point out the obvious, but you’ve contradicted yourself. On the one hand, you’ve posted a Bible verse. I believe it to 100% true. Then you added your own bit, which disagrees with that verse. You wrote that there is power in the name of Jesus…yet Jesus said (in the verse you cite) that He will do what you ask…not His name, but He Himself. It seems wise to stick with the Bible verse…wouldn’t you agree?

          • Jill Dosee says:

            Tony, the name of a person and the person are one. The name of Jesus carries all of the power and authority that Jesus Himself carries. Invested in His name is all that His name represents. When we use the name of Jesus, we are not regarding it as a good luck charm or as a magic word. Those who believe there is power in the very name of Jesus understand that Jesus has given us the power of attorney to use His name in prayer, to cast out devils, and to minister healing; and He will endorse it. In the third chapter of Acts, Peter spoke to the lame man, saying, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” Peter then explains in verse 16, ” And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know.

          • Tony says:

            Jill:

            You and your name are not “one”. You can change your name, for example…but you’re still you. My given name is Anthony, yet you call me Tony. Am I two people? Jesus is called many things in Scripture. Which of His names is the right name to use when you want to accomplish something spiritual? Can we just say “Lord”? That’s problematic, since all kinds of people are called that in the Bible. What if we tap into the wrong power source?

            I’m being a little facetious here, but only a little. You’re right when you say that He has given us ‘power of attorney’…that’s a good way to describe it. Another might be that He has ‘deputized’ us and given us the authority to do what He did. The problem here is when one suggests that it’s ONLY His name that has power. That’s magical thinking, where we use His name as an incantation, completing the spell and getting the result automatically. No, His name has no power of it’s own. That is all I’m saying. Without Jesus deciding to work with us when we say His name, we would only be whistling in the dark. We could say His name over and over, believing as hard as we can, and accomplish nothing. It’s not His name that has power, it’s He who has power. Calling on Him may or may not accomplish what we hope for…it depends entirely on Him saying yes.

            This is an issue of semantics for some…where we argue using different definitions of the same words. For others, this is an issue of theology. My concern is not that you and I might describe this ‘power of attorney’ differently…it’s that some have been taught that speaking the right words can change the nature of the universe. They’ve been taught that because God created the universe by speaking they also can utilize the same universe-creating power by speaking, and that as a result they are somehow divine. It’s that some have been taught that God works the way magic works, where you have to say the right words in the right order to get what you want. It’s that some want to bypass Jesus, who is God become man, instead relying on the power they claim is released when they speak His name.

            I’m pretty sure you and I agree on this issue. I’m pretty sure that you’re not one of those other folks. The “Word of Faith” movement has damaged a lot of people, and has infiltrated the church to the point that sincere believers are confused about what the Bible means when it says to call on His name. You and I know that we stand in His place, doing His work…but we are not Him, we are subordinate surrogates. The “other side” of this argument tends to see themselves as the ones who have the power, simply by speaking the right words. Do you see the difference?

          • June says:

            TONY, You are doing a wonderful job answering everyone’s whim and wit, alike: But I think that I understand Jill’s statement. If I commit an act and it is questioned as to whom is responsible, my name can be given and it would be understood that it’s me. One would not have to demand that I show up in person, to be pointed out that I am the person responsible. I carry more than one name [birth and marriage] any combination of my names used, it is still me. If I should choose to get an entirely new name – legally – this would not negate the fact that under my new name, I am still responsible for acts done under my first names. because I am still the same person.
            Because many people use the Name of JESUS nonchalantly and irresponsibly, I think you’re mindful not to subscribe to the truth that The Names of God are significant according to the purposes for which He gave them to Man. Moses asked God what Name was He sending him to Egypt with/by. You can search through the entire scriptures and see that God put much weight on His Names. When it comes to the of the Saviour, God encourages believers to use it for everything. [Colossians 3:17 and Revelation 3:8] just to set out 2 texts. But there are pre-requisites to use His Name and get the desired results. {I am currently learning that depth of relationship with the Lord; and it’s so exciting} So I agree with you: One cannot wave the Name of Jesus around like a magic wand and get anything they ask for; but to get everything that The Lord offers one needs to contact by His Name. Two of the pre-requisites is to know God’s will [St. John 15:7; Romans12:2] and to ask by faith [Romans 14:23b, James 1:6]

          • Tony says:

            Thank you for your kind words, June. At times, this discussion is very tricky. Our words seem imprecise, which allows for a wide range of misunderstandings. I don’t want to nitpick, but I do want to provide sound biblical and logical guidance for my readers, who are many.

            When one person invokes another’s name, they’re using borrowed authority. As an ambassador, I carry the authority of the one I represent. It’s not my authority, it’s God’s. When we pray in Jesus’ name, it is neither you nor I who accomplish anything spiritual…it’s God Himself who does it. That’s why we pray TO God, rather than simply making authoritative statements about what needs to be done. Saying “in Jesus’ name” does absolutely nothing on its own, as I’m sure you would agree. Any non-believer or demon could speak those words. Even believers, using those words in faith, may accomplish nothing with them if God does not want to do what is asked.

            That is my point, and my only point: it is God who has the power to answer prayers. We, who by faith invoke Jesus’ power and authority, do not. When our prayers align with God’s will, we get what we ask for…regardless of whether we say, “In Jesus name.”

          • Jill Dosee says:

            Tony, may the precious Holy Spirit cover all of you with all of Him. Many blessings to you.

        • Martin says:

          You quoted a passage that says whatever you ask in my name, that I will do.

          I will like to ask you sincerely, have you asked anything using that name and it is not do not done? While giving your answer sincerely, I would not want to say it was not done because it was not God’s time. The reason for saying this is because the passage did not say whatever you ask in my name,I will answer when it is God’s time. The statement strictly said I will do when once my name is used in asking for that.

          • June says:

            Some folks will ask things contrary to God’s Person [Who He is – ABBA,] Personaslity [How He is – PERFECT and JUST,] Permission [What He Allows – As it is set in His Sovereign Will before the earth was.] In these cases even if the Name of JESUS is employed, and scriptures are believed and quoted, the thing will not come to pass, because God is not contrary to Himself.

    • Mark says:

      Jesus is not Hebrew. It’s Latin. Yeshua on the other hand is the name of the Savior.

      • Tony says:

        Mark:

        If you’re going to argue, at least do your homework first. Jesus is not Latin. Jesu is Latin. It’s pronounced YAY-SU. Not like GEE-SUS at all. And, as logic dictates, Yeshua is simply our Savior’s name in its original Hebrew. Like most words and names, it’s pronounced differently in different languages. You can see a partial list here: https://godwords.org/jesus-in-every-language/.

    • Misty says:

      I recommend any Bible that didn’t change JHVH to Ba’al and translate it to English as LORD (with all caps in KJV) hundreds of times and I recommend not listening to false witnesses who claim there was no J sound like Joshua and Jerusalem or Jordan or Joseph and tells you there isn’t any power in His Name they Jjjjust CHOSE to keep it a secret only priests were allowed to know so people like this guy couldn’t blasphemy It. But he could still be a false witness and claim J or G sound didn’t exist. But faithful in Jesus see how the Name makes everyday miracles happen everyday. But I haven’t witnessed not one miracle in Yeshua’s name yet! And, that’s my TRUTH! Research, and listen to what Jesus in your heart tells you, and what the original Aramaic or ancient Hebrew text Bible tells you. He made sure even when they put Ba’al in place of His Name there was all caps or an * so you would know something wasn’t right.

      • Tony says:

        What Bible(s) are you talking about, Misty?

        • Misty says:

          I’m talking about a lot of Bibles. Even the ones they replace God’s name with God or LORD had a higher power that made sure the Bibles were still accurate enough. God wanted everyone to read it in the original language where even every letter has a meaning. I’m sure if you wanted to know truth you would read it period. The more you read it the more you understand it. Unlike the things I write or that you write, since we will never know everything God does.

          • Tony says:

            Misty:

            What exactly IS God’s name? You don’t know, and neither do I. You can say it’s YHWH, but that’s not exactly it. That’s what we read in Scripture, but nobody knows how to say it. Ancient Hebrew has no vowels. The letters are individually pronounced YOD HEY VOH HEY. God’s name is not YOD HEY VOH HEY, of course. Before Jesus was born, Jews wouldn’t speak God’s name out loud, for fear of breaking the second commandment. They would say Adonai. In about the 13th century, scholars took the consonants of Yahweh and pronounced it with the vowels of Adonai. This sounds like Yahowah, which became Jehovah in Latin.

            In other words, I don’t think you’re standing on firm ground when you complain that Bibles “replace God’s name with God or LORD.” I do like using Yahweh, but that’s not more precise than God or Lord.

            You’ve made an interesting claim, and I’d like to see if you can back it up with some facts… maybe from Scripture. You say that “God wanted everyone to read it in the original language.” I’m sure you wouldn’t want me, or the millions who visit GodWords, to just take your word for it. Where did YOU learn this? Is it something we can look up? How do you know that’s what God wanted?

          • Misty says:

            I think God’s Name is Jesus. That’s why Jesus said he came in his father’s name. His Name was Jesus Name. But “Je” or “Gee” short for Jesus was how “I am” was pronounced in Aramaic so the Je could be for Jehovah or Jesus. And, I am NOT trying to be a false prophet but my truth is His Name is Jesus and that He was Jesus Mary’s son, too. He missed being able to walk with His creation….

          • Tony says:

            No, Misty. God’s name is not Jesus. Of course, Jesus is God, but He’s not the Father or the Holy Spirit. When Moses was supposed to free the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt, he asked ‘who should I say sent me?’. God didn’t say, ‘tell him Jesus sent you.’ Jesus is actually the same name as Joshua, but in a Greek form. Joshua brought the chosen people into the promised land, and Jesus will bring us into our promised land, Heaven.

            When Jesus said He came in His Father’s name, He was saying the same kind of thing we see all over the Bible. An ambassador, for example, comes in the name of the ruler of his country. He’s not the ruler, but he speaks for the ruler… as if the ruler was actually there. His words carry the ruler’s authority. When Jesus came, He said this: For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.” And this: Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.

            There’s no such thing as “your truth,” Misty. God’s name is either Jesus or it’s not. Rather than making up things you WANT to believe, you should study the Bible and see what God wants you to believe. Trust me: His way is far, far better.

    • Mark says:

      Just read the Bible and stop debating. If you are asking what our Savior’s name was called originally from birth and given from the Archangel Gabriel to Miriam and Yosef, then it’s Yeshua. Then, from there we can give thanks to rebellious Nimrod to have constructed the Tower of Babel as a consequence creating different languages because Nimrod wanted heavenly power, which is why Yeshua was transliterated eventually to Jesus. Even the Apostle Paul is naive in this sense, because he transliterated from Yeshua Hamashiah to Iesous Christos.

      Stop debating and focus on what is important which Is repenting from sin and believing in your Savior in his sacrifice for your sin. There is nothing more important!

      • Tony says:

        Stop debating,” he said, while furiously debating. Relax, Mark. I’m not your enemy. If you can come up with a reasonable, rational, biblical argument, I’m perfectly willing to change my mind. So far, that hasn’t happened… yet.

        I wonder: how can we know with any certainty that the name given to our Savior is “Yeshua”? Answer: we can’t. We presume that’s His name. I’ll be more specific: His name isn’t given in the Hebrew Scriptures. We only have it in the New Testament, which is Greek, which is – without exception – Iesous. Look at Luke 2 in a Greek New Testament. It’s right there, in black and white. You can’t find Yeshua in there anywhere!

        What am I getting at? Simple: your arguments are really, really bad. You say “just read the Bible,” and that’s exactly what I’ve done. It’s YOU who hasn’t read it… at least, not in the original languages. If the idea is to JUST read the Bible, your argument is worse than bad… it’s ridiculous. Just reading the Bible only gives us Iesous, and never Yeshua.

        Does that mean that His parents said, “Iesous”? No, of course not. We have no reason to question that the angel said, “Yeshua,” and that His parents said things like, “Yeshua, eat your figs” and “Yeshua, it’s time for bed.” The point is that we have to INTERPRET Scripture to understand it. “Just reading it” often leads us astray.

        What leads people astray more often than “just reading” the Bible? That’s easy: not reading it. You want to blame big, bad Nimrod for the use of the name “Jesus.” That’s nonsense too, of course. First, we have no evidence that the original language spoken before the Tower of Babel was Hebrew. Strike one. Second, Nimrod didn’t create all of those other languages. God did. Nimrod’s name doesn’t appear in the text. That association comes from reading Josephus, not from reading the Bible. So much for “just reading the Bible.” Strike two. Finally, your comment about Paul being naive is simply naive. You can’t transliterate Yeshua Hamashiah to Iesous Christos. If you look up transliteration, you’ll see what I mean. Come on… do at least a little homework!

        You’re in over your head, Mark. You’ve got three strikes against you. However: I’m not going to suggest that you stop debating. I’m going to encourage you to KEEP debating. Debate your own ideas, do some research, double-check yourself with Scripture, then come back here and teach me where I’m wrong. I’m listening.

        As for focusing on the most important things, I’m going to agree and disagree. Repenting and believing ARE the most important things. They are not, however, the ONLY important things. If they were, we would have no need for the rest of the Bible. We could put it all in a fortune cookie, distribute those cookies to everyone on the planet, and be done. Instead, there’s a whole lot more to it than that. Do I focus on repentance and faith? Of course I do. Do I focus on other things, as an avenue toward repentance and faith? Yes.

        Have a great day!

  2. Tony says:

    David:

    Jesus, being God, has power. His name, however, does not. What you’re describing would be more accurately termed “magic”…saying His name and making something happen as a result.

    Such superstitions have no place in the life of a Christian.

    • Power In His Name says:

      Acts 3:16 “Through faith in the name of Jesus this man was healed and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus name has healed him before your very eyes.”
      -There is power in the name of Jesus when you believe that He is the only reason you have been saved and believe that He is a miracle working God!

      • Tony says:

        Dear “Power In His Name”:

        Which do you consider to be right, and which is wrong?

        1. Jesus has power, and faith in Jesus has healed him…
        2. Jesus’ name has power, and faith in Jesus’ name has healed him…

        You see, it’s important to make sure we understand Scripture properly. The phrase “in His name” doesn’t mean ‘the name of the person’. It means ‘I invoke the power and authority of the person’. It’s silly and superstitious to believe that simply speaking “Jesus” does anything on its own. If that were true, then it would be you and me who do the healing. Rather, Jesus Himself is the one doing the healing. Do you see the difference?

    • Glen says:

      If there is no other name given in heaven or upon earth whereby man must be saved. Why would it be permissible to swap it for any other name? Whenever and by whoever the name change was not done legally. It was changed by people who didn’t know God. For those who love truth, the truth remains the Son of God’s name is Yeshua (or some form if that) not Jesus. Isn’t truth supposed to be important?

    • kunta says:

      Oh so then if his name doesn’t have power. Then you fear sir need to research. aramaic or Hebrew is what they spoke and language is similar.because off what he spoke will not assure you salvation. Which is what his name is.still if they were going to SUPPOSEDLY transliterate it CORRECTLY. then his English name would be Salvation not Jesus. Hementions the importancy of his name in his word. Again, people are going to fall away and do what ever they want even if ours not according to Eloahs word. I say this in Love only.he was Jew his name will be. If your American your name is not going to be translated with no meaning at al like kunta kentay.leave his name and Word alone. People trying to put there 2 cents in and if it’s not I the Original scrolls .then you need you to revalute yourselves. Shalom

      • Tony says:

        Kunta:

        Thanks for writing. No, Jesus’ name has no power of its own. To suggest this is to believe in magic. You see, in magic, you have a formula…you say the words (or perform an action, etc.) and you get the result. The power is in the formula. Christianity has no such formulas, because it’s not based in magic. We can pray for something in Jesus’ name and be answered with a resounding “NO” if God isn’t inclined to give us what we want. In a magical system, saying Jesus’ name would always give us what we want. In reality, praying in Jesus’ name doesn’t guarantee that our prayer will be answered in the way we want. How many times have you prayed for something that didn’t happen? Paul prayed that God would take away the thorn in his flesh, and God did not give him what he asked for. The same goes for you and me. If speaking Jesus’ name released some kind of spiritual force, we would be the ones with the power. Instead, Jesus has the power and He uses that power when and if He chooses…whether we say “in Jesus’ name” or not.

    • Jerry says:

      As I said and discern. Your words prove your wisdom. You have an argumentative spirit and I love you

    • Misty says:

      Tony if magic has no place in being a Christian why was Moses’ Aaron’s and David’s magic so much more powerful than pharaohs magicians? What about Solomon’s seals?

      • Tony says:

        What makes you think Moses and Aaron and Solomon used magic? Is that something you read in the Bible?

  3. Bonface Hanks says:

    God is love and there is power in the name of God!

  4. Tony says:

    Bonface:

    Thanks for writing! You’re confused. The name of God doesn’t have any power of its own.

    • Jayden says:

      I don’t agree. Why do Pentecostals, and other Christian types, pray in Jesus name? If it has no power, there would be no point in praying to it.

      • Tony says:

        Jayden:

        Why would anyone pray in Jesus’ name? Because they’re asking God to do something, and invoking their relationship with Jesus as the basis for their request. This does not indicate that speaking Jesus’ name accomplishes anything by itself, does it? Doesn’t God hear our prayers, and then decide how to answer them? Certainly you can’t be suggesting that God feels more obligated to give you what you want simply because you say His Son’s name out loud…can you? You don’t really believe that, do you?

        • Norma Newell says:

          I AGREE TONY! BUT MY QUESTION IS IF ARNOLD SWARTZINEGGERIS GERMAN AND HE COMES TO AMERICA AS HE HAS DONE. WHY HASNT HE OR OTHERS CHANGED HIS NAME? EVERY MUSLEM CHINESE EVERY RUSSIAN NAME NOBODY CHANGES THEIR NAME TO USE IN ENGLISH! THE GREAT DANCER BARISINICOFF AS HARD AS IT IS TO PRONOUNCE WEVE NEVER CHANGED IT IN ENGLISH, WE STILL CALL HIM BY HIS RUSSIAN NAME IN ENGLISH. AND IN SPANISH AND IN ITALY.
          THIS IS CONFUSION TO CHANGE HIS NAME FROM HEBREW/ GREEK TO LATIN AND ENGLISH. THERE WAS NO NEED.HIS NAME IS STILL HIS NAME YAHUSHA IN ENGLISH….GREEK….SPANISH OR ITALIAN. THIS IS THE PROBLEM OF MAN TOUCHING THINGS UNESSCERARLY AND WANTING THE CREDIT!!!!!

          • Tony says:

            There’s no need to shout, Norma. =)

            You, along with a number of others, suggest that there’s some conspiracy to change God’s name(s). I have several objections to this claim:

            1. Where is the evidence of this conspiracy?
            2. What have we lost as a result of this conspiracy?
            3. If the conspiracy completely succeeds, what will be different?

            I would suggest that this is much ado about nothing. If fewer people in the world had access to God as a result of saying “Jesus” instead of “Yeshua” I would agree completely. This is not the case. Nobody is suffering because His name has been translated into many different languages. Your own name, Norma, can be translated in a number of ways as well. In German it’s Regel. In Romanian it’s Regula. In Afrikaans it’s Reel. In Norwegian it’s Regelen. There’s nothing weird going on here.

          • Norma Newell says:

            Hey Tony Im not shouting. Its easier to write in all caps. Especially when im a slow typer and not good at it. I write in caps on facebook all the time. No shouting involved.Sorry if you were offended.

          • Tony says:

            Thanks for writing back, Norma. Let me point you to the smiley face in my earlier reply to you…I wasn’t offended in the least. Writing in all caps – on Facebook or anywhere else – is considered shouting. Some folks don’t know that, so I was pointing it out.

            The more important point remains: you seem to suggest that there’s a conspiracy going on, and that this conspiracy has spiritual consequences. I’d like to know how I can agree with you, so I’m asking you for more information.

            You might keep in mind that ancient Aramaic and ancient Greek are “dead languages”…that is, nobody speaks them anymore. Because nobody speaks them, all of the words in those languages have changed over time, allowing them to be used in newer languages that have different alphabets and different sounds. While Jesus’ name – in Hebrew – is Yeshua, that’s not what we read in the ancient New Testament manuscripts. What do we read? Iesous Christos, which in English is Jesus Christ. I’m not sure why anybody would have a problem with this, but a few folks do. Can you explain?

            Thanks!

    • firework says:

      Having a proper name attached can make the focus toward a difficult to grasp being easier so the relationship can grow. It is no different than someone studying a new idea. They may need more guides like diagrams, recordings, note-taking etc at first to imprint what they are learning more deeply into the mind but slowly pull away from the strategies as they grow in understanding. The proper name is no different. When the relationship grows to a certain level the proper name is not necessary because the name with regard to character, authority etc is understood enough to continue growth in the relationship without it.

    • MIKE TSE says:

      TONY! you must be born again. please note, we dont preach our opinions or feelings, we preach the word. what does the word say about the name JESUS? please stop being psychological or theological. In the name of Jesus every kneel must bow. God bless You

      • Tony says:

        Mike:

        >> TONY! you must be born again…

        Yes, that’s true. We agree so far.

        >> we dont preach our opinions or feelings, we preach the word.

        Yep. We still agree.

        >> what does the word say about the name JESUS?

        Well…a lot of things. I believe all of them, and I’m guessing you do as well. So far, we seem to agree.

        >> please stop being psychological or theological.

        Here’s where you and I can’t quite agree. “Psychological” simply has to do with the mind. You’re being psychological when you ask me to stop being psychological, which isn’t logical. I’m pretty sure you know the passage in Mark where Jesus tells the scribes that loving God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength is the first commandment…right? Well, Jesus used the word PSYCHE in there. That’s where we get the word psychological. There’s nothing wrong with being psychological. There is, however, something wrong with pretending that being psychological somehow makes one less spiritually-minded.

        As far as being theological, you’re still not being logical. The name of my website is GodWords. It comes from two Greek words: THEOS and LOGOS. They mean “words about God.” That’s where we get the word theology. One can’t be a Christian, or a Hindu, or a Muslim, or a Rastafarian, or even an atheist, without being theological. Every time we think about God, we’re being theological. Every time we speak about God, we’re being theological. Every time we write about God, we’re being theological. You say “we preach the word.” That’s very good, of course…but you can’t preach the word without being theological. To preach the word, you have to use words about God…that’s theology. Let me gently suggest that you think twice before you write such criticisms, Mike. Instead of correcting me, you’ve shown that you don’t know what you’re talking about. That does nothing to further the gospel, or to correct me, which should be our goals.

        >> In the name of Jesus every kneel must bow.

        Mike: if you want to preach the word, you must actually preach the actual word. What you’ve written above is not found in Scripture. I’m pretty sure you’re referring to Philippians 2:10, where Paul wrote this: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow. I’m sorry (not really sorry) to get all theological on you, brother…but you’ve not only misquoted the passage, you’ve also misunderstood it. It doesn’t say that every knee must bow, or even that every knee will bow. It says that every knee should bow. The phrase comes from the Greek word KAMPTO, and it’s written in the subjunctive mood. That means that the action described might, or might not, occur. It’s very close to the English use of “should,” where we talk about something that ought to happen but might not happen.

        I appreciate you writing to me, brother. The point of this article is to say that praying “in Jesus’ name” isn’t magical. We can’t say the words as an incantation and expect to have our wishes granted. Instead, we present our requests to God with gratitude (Philippians 4:6), knowing that He will do what is best. As His servants, we should recognize that we lack His perspective…so we trust His judgment about how to answer our prayers. Should we pray in Jesus’ name? Yes, we should…but not because saying Jesus’ name is more likely to get God to do what we want. We pray in Jesus’ name because it is through Him that we are able to approach the throne of God with confidence (Hebrews 4:16).

        • Dusty says:

          Man you have some great knowledge! Wishing the best Tony 🙂 I hope one day God grants me wisdom as you have.
          Dusty

          • Tony says:

            Thanks, Dusty. You’re very kind. Ask God, and He may just give you more wisdom than you thought possible. =)

        • David says:

          Yes, I must to say I have been marveling at what God has done through you and the wisdom in your words so perfectly placed can only be through God. I’ve felt what you are explaining but couldn’t quite put it in words, so great jib for our Father in heaven. Godbless!

        • Ti Ti B says:

          HAH i loved the reply chain where you were debating the idea theological etc. very nicely done! Again, amazing reading.

  5. Jack says:

    If the name of Jesus means nothing and isn’t ‘special’, when why is it a sin to take that name in vain? When I got saved, the first thing the Holy Spirit told me was not to take Jesus’ name in vain anymore.

    • Tony says:

      Jack:

      If you’re going to argue, you should begin by addressing what I’ve actually written. I didn’t say that Jesus’ name isn’t special. I said that there’s no special power in His name that makes things happen when you say it out loud. That’s a superstition that has no basis in Scripture.

      If the Holy Spirit told you not to take Jesus’ name in vain, you should certainly obey Him. I wouldn’t use His name improperly, of course…but that includes more than not making it a swear word. It also includes not making up stories about how saying His name out loud makes spiritual things happen. If the mention of Jesus’ name gets stuff done, then it is WE who wield the power, not God. Do you believe that? I hope not.

      • Patricio says:

        There are many references to names having a power in them throughout the world in many cultures,what is more important – when engaging in discourse with many people on any subject you must understand that when everyone else seems to be wrong & you are right ,then surely your mind has locked & you are wrong !!

        • Tony says:

          Patricio:

          Thanks for writing! Let’s examine what you’ve written, to see if it makes sense. I see two claims:

          1. Many cultures have believed that names have power.
          2. If your idea is out of step with those around you, you are surely wrong.

          In both #1 and #2, you suggest that counting the number of people who believe something helps us determine whether that belief is true. I’d like to suggest otherwise. Let me illustrate.

          Some people believe that Texas Senator Ted Cruz is a serial murderer known as the Zodiac Killer. This is a strange thing to believe, and it takes about 18 seconds to prove it untrue. The Zodiac Killer was apparently killing people in 1968. Ted Cruz wasn’t born until 1970. Even if we have Cruz’ birth year wrong by three years – an unlikely scenario – that would make Ted Cruz guilty of multiple murders while still in diapers.

          Ted Cruz is not the Zodiac Killer. I’m sure you agree. Now let’s move forward a few hundred years, to a time when this belief might be more widespread. Millions of people around the world, at this imaginary time in the future, believe that Ted Cruz is the Zodiac Killer. Does the number of people who believe it change the facts? Of course not. Do the locations of the cultures that have accepted this idea change the facts? Nope. Does the depth of their conviction change the fact that Ted Cruz was not a psychopathic, murderous toddler? Such a claim would be silly indeed.

          The question is not whether people believe something, or how many people believe something, or even how strongly they believe it, but whether that something is actually true.

          What about those who claim that magical, or mysterious, or spiritual things have happened as a result of speaking a powerful name? Surely it would be rude to discount their experience, right? Well, no. I’m not looking to hurt anyone’s feelings, but I’m also not going to believe something just because someone else does. Go back to Ted Cruz for a moment, and ask the important question: what should we do with the claim that Ted Cruz is the Zodiac Killer? We should reject it, right? Of course we should. In fact, we should reject it even if someone makes a claim about being saved from a car wreck by believing it. That might hurt their feelings, but we don’t determine whether something is true on the basis that disagreement might bother someone. We should only be concerned about a belief’s truthfulness, and not about its popularity.

          • Jill Dosee says:

            I’m a proud Texas Republican who cast my vote for Ted Cruz. But this is really disappointing. The only reason I voted for him is because I thought he was the Zodiac Killer. Thanks for all you do (even if you are mistaken about the name of Jesus).

          • Tony says:

            LOL…you’re a nice lady.

        • firework says:

          Patricio I just thought I would mention that if your statement of the truth having to be the majority supported belief is true than it goes against the life of Christ because the majority called Him a liar….they even crucified Him for what they believed to be His ‘false’ truth. The road to truth is narrow and MANY, you might say the ‘majority’, fail to walk in it. No matter how clearly written the explanation is, it seems, some just will not or cannot grasp what is being said….defenses of their own beliefs jump up in front of their view blinding them to what is truly being said…..sad 🙁

          • Patricio says:

            How True,however I do not now nor ever have supported the majority view.Jesus is the only one who was right while all around him were wrong , it is us who , when confronted with overwhelming Data served on a Platter of Common sense, still refuse to understand as our minds have locked up with our mistaken understanding in a death grip.

          • firework says:

            Data and common sense are man’s truth (the wise shall be made foolish and the simple made wise) the only real truth is what is received by walking in the Spirit. Because so many base truth on fleshly understanding the hidden real truth is not seen thus appearing to be false to the majority. God made it this way on purpose so only those who walk in faith NOT sight (data and fleshly learned common sense) would see the truth. It is good to hear you do not walk with the majority, beautiful indeed 🙂

      • Apong says:

        Dear Tony. I believe in the powerful name of Jesus. To be honest, there’s no need to argue intensely about this because some people get more confused with your point( including I) Have you ever been attacked by unknown evil spirits in spiritual warfare? That’s when you’ll know that when you call upon Jesus’s name, devils flee. If you however don’t believe that spiritual things like that happen, you gotta! Even the Word says that we don’t wrestle against flesh and blood but principalities and powers (Ephesians 6:12). I say this not only on the basis of the Word, but on personal experience.
        However, it’s true that some people just use the name of Jesus as an exclamation -why would He answer to that? But since this is Christian matter, those who believe in Him and call on His name will be saved.
        Is that the point you’re trying to make? Because I honestly got confused just reading the responses in the comments.
        God’s Word is clear and concise. If there was nothing ‘special’ about Jesus’s name, God’s Word would have said it. And you know, He is His Word (John 1:1)!
        God bless you and you may respond if you wish.

        • Tony says:

          Apong:

          I’m sorry for confusing you. I will try to make it more plain.

          “Power” is the ability to do work. When we say something is powerful, we mean that it’s able to do many things. When we say something is powerless, we mean that it can do nothing. When we talk about this idea, we usually say one of these two things:

          1. Jesus’ name is powerful.
          2. Jesus is powerful.

          #1 is about a name. #2 is about a person. A name has no power of its own. A name does not have the ability to do things. Jesus has power, and can do things. When we pray in Jesus’ name, we are not asking His name to do something…we are asking Jesus Himself to do something. Do you see the difference?

          I do believe in spiritual warfare. However: when you cry out in Jesus’ name, you’re not asking His name to make devils flee. Instead, you’re asking Jesus to make devils flee. Simply speaking Jesus’ name does nothing unless Jesus Himself responds when you speak it. It’s not His name that makes it happen…it’s Him. Do you see the difference?

          When the Bible speaks of someone’s name, it usually means more than just a name…it also means the whole person, and their reputation. When you call on Jesus, you’re calling on Him because He is God, and because He cares for you. His name has no power of its own. His name is not God. His name doesn’t care for you. Jesus’ name has no power. Jesus has power. You recognize this when you talk about people using His name as an exclamation, and about Him not responding. If the name had power, anybody could use it to do things. That’s clearly not how it works. Jesus Himself has to respond. When we call on Him, we do use His name…but it’s not the name we’re calling on, but the person.

          Does that make it more clear?

    • Jayden says:

      No Tony. That’s not what I believe. It is not an obligation. If Jesus is God, That means Gods name is also Jesus. God loves us and wishes us good. HE always answers prayers just not in the way we may expect. Im not saying he is obligated to give us something because we say His name or His Son’s name, (Im simply saying that His name has power. Without power it couldn’t answer our prayers. In the Old Testament, and New, Where a God’s name was, that’s where his presence was. His presence is HIs power cause that’s where his name is.

    • Jayden says:

      No Tony. That’s not what I believe. It is not an obligation. If Jesus is God. In the Old Testament, and New, Where a God’s name was, that’s where his presence was. His presence is HIs power cause that’s where his name is.

    • Mike says:

      Taking the Lord’s name in vain does NOT mean what you state. When you defame The Most High by sinning and breaking HIS law, THEN you take HIS NAME IN VAIN. That is what David proclaimed.

    • firework says:

      Jack the most important meaning to taking His name in vain is misrepresenting His character. For example claiming to be His prophet when He has not appointed you then making false prophecies that misguide people and drive them away from Him. Or something like saying you cannot be saved unless you say a specific translation of His name-this is unbiblical, legalistic and can and will pull people in a wrong direction. Taking His name in vain in this way is the one He hates the most because He loves us and wants all to be saved and this is the most damaging for that; there is hardly this sort of damage to saving others when His proper name is used as a cuss word-not that anyone walking with Him would do this either but the former that was mentioned is downright destructive for lives.

    • firework says:

      Jayden what you speak of sounds an awful lot more like the beliefs regarding the false gods. Our God is the only living God who is present near AND far, everywhere and at all times. He is not summoned like a false God because He is everpresent. Also, there is only one truth and that is God’s. By believing everyone is right in their differing opinions it leads to tolerance which leads to sin infiltration. The truth is the name Jesus/Yeshua/Yahshua etc is a mere proper name the power comes from the diety behind the name. When you pray you are thinking about Him, who He is, what He can do etc NOT the letters within the proper name. Truth is truth.

    • CHARLES MUONWE says:

      Revere the Lord says:

      Jack.
      If you could listen to what the holy spirit told, then you would realize that he did not call him “Jesus” for that is not his name. His name is Yahoshua. The English has manipulated every thing to their own test. without seeking your own opinion.

      • firework says:

        Charles can you not see why the proper name is not what matters? Just look at the posts on here alone and the multitude of ‘corrections’ to His name. If this were true then who is to say which pronunciation was the correct one or even which spoken language said it correctly? It is based on His authority not His proper name. Please just read all the comments and reread the article and enlighten yourself.

  6. zoe says:

    Yes jesus says ‘i am the way the truth and the life there is NO other way to the father accept through me’

  7. Albert says:

    Um if Jesus, the one who saves or he will save, means this, then how can you say there is no power in it? He is the special one, the ambassador to the father. Then saying YHWH be praised haves no meaning it is only the name of the father. There is power in the name of Jesus. I say it in English and in Spanish it haves the same spelling. When you add Christ to the end of it, it’s the best name ever. It means I am calling on the one who saves or praying to the father in the name of his only perfect child who came to save us. Thank you father for sending him so I can make it to heaven. Are you kidding me? Jesus is the most powerful name on earth especially when you talking about the Christ. Wow this post is horrible, the bible even says to pray in his name but it don’t mean anything. You should also ask in his name too and it will be given onto you. Wow you need to get in with Jesus to understand how powerful that name really is.

    • Tony says:

      Albert:

      Thanks for visiting GodWords! You’re exactly right when you say “I am calling on the one who saves”. It’s GOD who has power…not the speaking of His name, but the person Himself. We pray, and God answers. You seem to be right on target there. Where so many go wrong is when they suggest that speaking Jesus’ name produces some special spiritual effect. It doesn’t. Jesus’ name isn’t a magic word. It’s His name, and we use it to refer to Him.

      This article was written because so many wrote to me and asked whether praying in Jesus’ name makes their prayer more likely to be answered “yes”. When I pray, I pray in Jesus’ name…but I don’t pretend that uttering His name will give me power, or change God’s mind about my request, or somehow automatically get me what I want.

  8. albert says:

    I am saying your wrong. Everytime you talk about Jesus Christ there is power in that name. All you have to do is call it. I am saying you dont understand how calling that name is powerful. The person asked about praying in His name as well. Acts 2:21 (NIV) “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
    not anyone who doesn’t call.
    Phil 2:9-11

    Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father

    • Tony says:

      Yes, Albert…I understand that you disagree with me. I’m okay with that. Here’s what I’m not okay with: pretending that simply uttering the word “Jesus” does anything BY ITSELF. It doesn’t. That would mean that WE have the power to do things (like save ourselves). Instead, we know that GOD RESPONDS to our prayers. HE has the power.

      When people say that there’s power in Jesus’ name, they imply that the word ITSELF has power. It does not. Christians should know where the power is: it’s in God Himself, not in our ability to say a word out loud.

      Do you see the difference?

      Again: I pray in Jesus’ name. I take up my cross daily and follow Him. This isn’t about whether I’m a Christian. This is simply a matter of Biblical Christianity vs superstitious nonsense. If there were power in the name alone, we wouldn’t need God…just the name of His Son.

  9. albert says:

    Wow ok we disagree but you would always need God and taking up your cross daily and putting on the armor of God is just as important as believing in God. Saying his name is powerful, it is not the whole thing though. I know Just yelling thank you Jesus is a part of worship. Being a Christian haves many different parts to it. You just don’t say I believe in Jesus and that’s it, you must believe in your heart and then confess with our tongue. We don’t say we gonna carry our cross and do everything opposite of what Christ is about. There is no magical powers because magic is of the devil, it is a falsehood. But power and the miracles that go along with it is not an illusion of God it is real. Your saying there is no power in it but you answered the question wrong. There is great power in the name of Jesus because it depends how and whom you talking about. If you call on him there is power if you calling that Spanish Kid down the street then there is no power. God knows when you say His name as the calling on him or if the other.

    • timothy says:

      1 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:Jon 1:12

      • Tony says:

        Timothy:

        You and I both believe that verse to be true. Tell me: what is Jesus’ name DOING in that passage? Nothing, of course. We believe “on his name” when we trust that He is who He says He is. Because we believe, we receive Him. We then get the power to become sons (or daughters) of God…but from where does that power come? Not from His name, but from Him, Himself.

        Jesus’ name is great. It’s awesome. It does not, however, do anything on its own. God is the one doing the work.

    • David says:

      So, what if…. By some chance a person didn’t know Gods name but they new the person of God…. Would God not answer them? I am pretty sure he would, right.

  10. Tony says:

    Albert:

    Thanks again. It’s clear that you want me to understand your point of view. I believe I do. I consider you a brother in Christ, and appreciate your input.

    >> There is great power in the name of Jesus because it depends how and whom you talking about. If you call on him there is power if you calling that Spanish Kid down the street then there is no power.

    You’re EXACTLY right, kind of. Calling on the name of that Spanish kid down the street does nothing because that Spanish kid has no spiritual power of his own. Calling on God does something because God has the power to accomplish anything He chooses. It’s not the name that has power…it’s the PERSON. Here are a couple of questions:

    1. Do you believe that praying to God in Jesus’ name will ALWAYS get you a YES answer to your prayer?

    2. Do you believe that an unbeliever who wishes for a trillion dollars, and makes that wish “in Jesus’ name”, will get what he wants?

    I’m betting the answer to both questions is NO. Why? Because you know that saying Jesus’ name doesn’t automatically get you what you want. THAT is what I’m saying. Jesus is powerful…we agree on that. Saying His name – by itself – gets you nothing.

    Does that make sense?

  11. Amen says:

    Tony Scialdone, thank you for making this distinction between the name of the man Jesus and spiritual power in the authority of God that Jesus had based on his Christ-hood.

    It seems like the confusion is with the word “name.” To pray “in the name of Jesus” means to vocalize your request on the authority and attainment that Jesus demonstrated by becoming the Christ of God. If one has not achieved this level of spiritual evolution of their soul then they have no power to reach heaven in their prayers. Case in point is Act 19 when a jewish excorcist assumed that he could mimic Paul by invoking the name of Jesus to cast out demons. The demon said, I don’t know or recognize your authority.” So the name which indicates authority is the critical issue in the effacacy of your prayers.

    If the literal name of Jesus as an identify of a person was the issue then any Hispanic child named Jesus would bring goodies.

    Furthermore someone used the quote in John 14:6 and Phillipians 2:5-11 as a proof against your argument. One should carefully read these text again. When Jesus says, I am the way, the truth and the life no one comes to the father except through me” I read this as saying “I AM is the way,the truth and the life, you can’t connect with the Father until you have attained God consciousness. I AM is a unique term used throughout the gospel of John which speaks of a state of consciousness which we all can attain as Jesus did through his passion and resurrection (Phil. 3:10,11).

    Secondly, if one reads Philippians 2:5-11 it outlines the state of consciousness (mind)that Jesus achieved through his incarnation, which we all must attain, i.e., Christ consciousness. In verse 9, it is stated that Jesus was given a name above every name. Again if Jesus was named Jesus by his parents at birth, then what is Paul talking about here? Obviously, God did not name Jesus, Jesus as a result of his passion and resurrection. He already had that name. God bestowed upon him an AUTHORITY. This also is every soul’s potential to attain, if we do the spiritual work.

    Thanks again Tony for the information.

    • mary jones says:

      Thankyou so much for telling that truth.Yes you must be Holy and Sanctified.It is a very difficult state to maintain amongst people that dont know God.But with practice it becomes easier.Its a responsabilty that has to be nutured n maintained.Its like heavon on earth.Blessed are the pure of hart for they shall see God.

  12. Tony says:

    Dear “Amen”:

    We agree that baptism is not required for salvation. I especially appreciate your comments regarding ‘name’. Parts of your comment concern me, though…like this:

    >> I AM is a unique term used throughout the gospel of John which speaks of a state of consciousness which we all can attain as Jesus did through his passion and resurrection (Phil. 3:10,11).

    I don’t know where you heard this, but it isn’t in any way a proper understanding of Scripture. “I AM” is a direct reference to God’s use of the phrase. When Moses asked God what to say when Pharaoh asked who sent him, God said to tell Pharaoh “I AM”. Jesus’ use of the phrase was a direct reference to His own deity. There’s nothing in Scripture that support the notion of ‘christ-consciousness’. This is a metaphysical term popularized by folks like Deepak Chopra that has nothing to do with Biblical Christianity.

    We do not evolve into christ-consciousness. We may be transformed by the indwelling Holy Spirit and become more like Christ, of course…but they’re two very different things. What you refer to is a mixture of different religious thoughts with the Bible, and they simply don’t go together. Let me know if you have questions.

    • Anoymous says:

      To the comment that Baptism is not required for Salvation I reference John 3:5 “Jesus answered, Verily verily I say unto thee, except a man be born of the water and of the Spirit, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” Born of the water being baptised in the name of Jesus and being born of the Spirit which is the reality of the second chapter of Acts.

  13. Steve says:

    Tony S. is a bit confused. Spiritually speaking, “using” someone’s name means to invoke the authority of the person with that name. Hence, there is power in Jesus name, because he is the Word of God.(Matthew 28:18) The legalistic argument that Jesus name is not Jesus himself is a limited understanding of words and their affects. See the book, “The Power of Your Words: How God Can Bless Your Life Through the Words You Speak.”

    How powerful is Jesus name? Well, it can cast out demons.

    Mark 16:17 “And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons…”

    Demons not only fear Jesus, of course, they even fear his very name! Such powerful creatures over us, they cower in fear upon hearing His name. Ha ha! Note that Jesus says that they (the disciples themselves) will cast out demons. He does not say that He (Jesus) will cast out the demons when called upon. Hence the authority to cast out demons is given to all Christians who do it in Jesus name. I’d say that name has real power indeed!

    • Tony says:

      Steve:

      Let me recommend that you rethink your position. There’s nothing in Scripture that suggests that speaking someone’s name does anything. There’s nothing to suggest that speaking IN someone’s name does anything either. When someone speaks in the name of another, like an ambassador who speaks for a king or a nation, nothing happens. There is no power in the words themselves, and no power in speaking them out loud. The power is GOD’S POWER, and only He wields it. When we pray, we’re not doing something…we’re asking God to do something.

      • Bob John Ayebale says:

        Hey!!! hold on! Do not be quick to say all that stuff when you have not seen what scriptures say; Have you read Philippians 2:9-11 …9For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father
        What does this proverb mean Prov. 18:21 21Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

        Please do not say anything in your own understanding but seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit and He will revile unto you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

        Jesus said that when we pray ask for the Holy Spirit and God Will give you the Holy Spirit. He is a just God.
        Thank you

        • Tony Scialdone says:

          Bob:

          I find it interesting that you’re quick to suggest that I’m unfamiliar with the Scriptures, and that we disagree on this topic because I’m “speaking in my own understanding”. These are common tricks that some people use to add strength to their point of view.

          That won’t work here.

          What works here is a logically sound argument, using Scripture, presented with gentleness and respect.

          Yes, I’m familiar with Philippians 2. The Greek word for “bow” is KAMPTO. Paul used the word in the subjunctive mood. That means that the bowing involved in that passage may or may not occur, depending on the circumstances. The implication is that every knee SHOULD bow, but might not. Your unfamiliarity with Philippians 2 has led to you use it in a way that the author did not intend.

          As for Proverbs, we must be careful. It’s easy to misuse proverbs and make them say things they really don’t say. For example, Proverbs 3:2 says that remembering Wisdom’s teaching “will prolong your life many years”. Is that a promise from God? Of course not. It’s a general statement, not a theological one. Your use of Proverbs 18:21 is problematic. Look at the very next verse:

          “He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.”

          Contrast that with this 1 Corinthians 7:8…

          “Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried as I do.”

          Which is it, Bob? Should some stay unmarried, as Paul taught, or find a wife, which is good, and receive favor from God?

          I would avoid making strong theological statements from Proverbs. I know that many do this, but that doesn’t make it a wise practice. Remembering Wisdom’s teaching won’t prolong anyone’s life by healing childhood cancer, for example…and while the words we speak do have an effect on us and on those around us, they do not actually have the power of life and death. If you doubt, try using your words to bring a dead person life. That doesn’t work physically or spiritually, does it?

          The point here is simple: Jesus, being God, has power. When we pray in Jesus’ name, He may or may not grant us what we ask for. Using Jesus’ name in a prayer does not make it more likely that we will get what we want.

    • Jayden says:

      I totally agree. The Bible also says that there is power in His name. many people might say: That means God’s name. Jesus IS God! but, If Baptizm isn’t needed for salvation, that destroys salvation! Repentance is giving your self up. Confess ur sins. Baptism is burial. If Jesus wasn’t buried…

      • Tony says:

        Jayden:

        Please show me the verse(s) in the Bible that tell you that there is power in Jesus’ name. That will be a good start on understanding the topic.

        As for baptism being needed for salvation, the thief on the cross, who was with Jesus in Paradise on that day, wasn’t baptized. That didn’t “destroy salvation”, did it? Nope. Let me encourage you to read more, and read more carefully. It’s important to know what the Bible does and doesn’t say about this stuff. Let me know how I can help.

    • firework says:

      Bob the proverb you speak of does not refer to the use of a proper name.
      Tony the tongue does have power over life and death…just not the way you are envisioning it. One can derail another’s faith causing them to reject Christ thus death or it can bring another to Christ thus life. Just felt compelled to clarify.

      • Tony says:

        Firework:

        You are correct…the tongue does have such power. The typical use of this verse today doesn’t take it in its most logical context, though. Most people today who cite that verse do it to say that words have intrinsic power to change reality. This is what Word of Faith teachers have been saying for decades, and what “The Secret” has been teaching for years. It’s the so-called ‘law of attraction’ in which speaking words with intention gets you whatever you wish for. It’s certainly not Scripture that I have a problem with, it’s the misuse of Scripture that troubles me. Thank you for pointing to the difference.

  14. LC says:

    Christ’s name is NOT Joshua.. This is a complete fallacy. His name is ‘Savior’ in hebrew which is ‘Yashaya’ — Jesus, Iesus, and any derivative leading to Joshua is just wrong.

    • Tony Scialdone says:

      LC: references, please. You don’t expect us to just believe you without doing our own homework, do you?

    • Jayden says:

      Tony
      1 Corinthians 5:4.
      Also. The man on the cross was still in the OLD COVENENT. The new, wasn’t established until Jesus died. He was a sacrifice. There had to be a sacrifice. Also, the veil wasn’t still torn when Jesus said that. Baptism wasn’t necessary in the old covenant. The veil symbolized our separation from God because we couldn’t be perfect. When it ripped… we could come to God freely.

  15. Believr says:

    If I were a delegate who told you I came from Nazareth but the name they call it is El Nazaria, I would still hold the same delegated authorities.

    His name translated, to any Christian believer who knows Jesus, is a reference to Him that is the Son of God.
    If a man and the inspired bible said to me you have not called on my name yet that is why your prayers were not heard, and I began to pray in His name and observe answered prayers when according to His will, I have every reason to believe Him.

    • Tony Scialdone says:

      Believr:

      You make a good point. A delegate (or, more commonly, an ambassador) represents someone else…regardless of the language one uses. Because of that, we can know with certainty that praying in the name of Jesus does nothing more than praying in the name of Yeshua, or Jesùs, or Jezu, or Iesous, or Gesù. It’s not the word itself that carries authority…it’s the Person whom we represent that has authority, and He has given to us some of that authority.

      In other words: praying in Jesus’ name isn’t a magic formula that has power in itself.

      • kutlo says:

        Mıne ıs a questıon that may brıng some lıght to those who oppose what tony ıs sayıng,but ı also desıre that tony u may answer ıf possıble.Questıon ıs ıf Hıs name,that ıs Jesus,has power;just Hıs name,then are you not at fault,because the nameJesus wasnt or ısnt hıs real name,ıts a translated name from hıs orıgınal Hebrew name,shouldnt you be callıng Hım wıth Hıs orıgınal name?thıs to test those who oppose?because the name Yehoshua was translated by those who were translatıng the fırst wrıttn forms whıch were wrıtten ın Hebrew

  16. The African says:

    Writer! how foolish are you!

    • Tamara says:

      You shall call no man fool.
      Matthew 5:22
      But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

  17. Tony says:

    Dear The African:

    Thanks for being so kind. In what way am I foolish? Was it by suggesting that speaking Jesus’ name in a prayer doesn’t guarantee that you will get your wish? Was it by suggesting that the words and the prayers have no power of their own, but only God has the power? Please, be specific. Thanks.

  18. Tsholofelo says:

    No one really knows the really Power behind the Name ,Jesus Christ, Romans 11 verse 8.so let us allow God Himself to reveal the truth, John 16 verse 13, lets stop with the assumption of this world.The secret lies in Jesus Himself.we are His creation so let us give Him some respect for Heaven sake.

  19. guthrum says:

    I actually am a very devoted Christian. I have studied the Bible my entire life. Jesus Christ does actually have power even in his name. I know that for a fact. My Lord Jesus Christ saved my life and i have devoted myself to him. “For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son, so that whoever may believe in Him, will not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16 Are you even truly a Christian, ‘tony?’ I don’t think so.

    • Tamara says:

      Assuming another is not a Christian is judgment, unrighteous at that. You might wish to recant this statement and apologize to Tony so there is repair within your walk.

  20. Xaiver says:

    I agree with Guthrum. I think of Christians as my family. In fact they ARE my family. My family in Christ Jesus. If you don’t think that you are a Christian but want to be, just find your local Church. Ask the pastor about it.

  21. Donovan says:

    The wisdom of the believer is not based on the carnal and so a believer knows that the Power in the name of Jesus is exactly according to the scriptures. We do not look at any other but the Son who allowed himself to shed His blood for our Salvation.
    In you attempt to clarify something Tony, you confuse people and this is a dangerous place, especially when dealing with new believers because you breach the word.
    The power in the name of Jesus is applicable and relevant because all believer call on the name look to the heavens and not on the earth.
    See what the scripture says in Galatians, Repent and move forward.

    “I can’t believe your fickleness—how easily you have turned traitor to him who called you by the grace of Christ by embracing a variant message! It is not a minor variation, you know; it is completely other, an alien message, a no-message, a lie about God. Those who are provoking this agitation among you are turning the Message of Christ on its head. Let me be blunt: If one of us—even if an angel from heaven!—were to preach something other than what we preached originally, let him be cursed. I said it once; I’ll say it again: If anyone, regardless of reputation or credentials, preaches something other than what you received originally, let him be cursed”. (‭Galatians‬ ‭1‬:‭6-9‬ MSG)

    • firework says:

      It is far more dangerous to live a lukewarm faith lest you be spit out of His mouth. What he speaks is truth and those who do not understand it should seek the Lord more intentionally lest they be found with iniquity. Mind you the path is narrow and FEW find it.

  22. juanita says:

    Tony ,have you ever heard the statement ” a man with an experience is never at the mercy of a man with an argument”? My son and I were in a wreck on the interstate and I only had seconds to call on God and I said ” God help us, God help us, and he delivered us from hitting the wall head on or being hit by another car or being injured I only had a scratch on my leg. Not only does this experience prove to me there is power in that name but all thru my life I have called on his name and received what I asked for.There is power in the name of Jesus above all other names. Many of the people reading this forum are young and do not have the understanding of an experienced christian and will believe that there is nothing special or unique about the name of Jesus but there is no other name whereby a person can be saved. There is power in the name of Jesus that no other name has. Try casting out a devil in your name and see what happens. Tony get an understanding on this subject.

    • Jayden says:

      Juanita. Wow. That’s a real testimony. Thank you Jesus. And Tony.

      How can u argue with that? But Tony, I respect you for handling all of these arguments with kindness and respect. I respect you for it.

    • Tamara says:

      My question to you is can a person cast out a devil without walking in the character of Christ? The name in and of itself is letters. The being brought to mind BEHIND the name is what gets things done. The only ones who cast out Devils are those whose walk is blameless because Christ’s blood covers them and they live in the Spirit and are obedient. No other could cast out Devils regardless of speaking His name or not.

    • Eric Kingsbury says:

      Juanita….
      Beautiful Reply!!!!!!

  23. Philipians 2:9-10 “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
    10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
    11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

  24. Symone Asnaku says:

    I really think alot of people are very confused as to who Jesus was. I, personally, do not refer to the son as “Jesus” but only to the extent in which I try to get people who uses it more commonly than myself. I consider myself spiritual. I by no means am in a sole religion for I feel like there is some truth to each and every one and to solely committ myself would feel wrong. I do not pray in the name of Jesus by speak directly to the God Head or God himself. I do believe in Jesus by have came to an understanding thatJesus was not meant to worshiped in any way. Acknowledged yes but to pray solely in the son name is blashpme (spell check) Just think if God is the same today and tomorrow and forever then why all of a sudden he needs a representation of who he is? I believe Jesus was sent as a example for us. To show us the lifestyle, the consciousness and the mind set to have when it comes to pleasing him. Yes Jesus was a example for man alone was too corrupt to understand how to please God but by misunderstandings Jesus was seen as God himself which alot of people are confused and more ignorant to the truth as we should know it.

  25. MaryGrace says:

    Dear Tony,
    I agree with most of what you said, including the name “Jesus” in your prayers wont get you what you want. However the name of Jesus does have power, because when we use it we are calling on the Son of God who died for our sins. If we are believers and we call on Jesus (to call on him we must use his name) he will answer us. He might not give us exactly what we are asking for, but he will do what is best for us.
    The Disciples had the power to cast out demons with the name of Jesus, because Jesus himself gave them the power, so the power is from Jesus not the disciples themselves.
    My Mom told me when I was little that sometimes Satan will try to temp us, or frighten us. And she said the he had no power over us because we were saved, all we needed to do was ask God to send him away. She told me to say “Go away Satan, I belong to Jesus.” And in saying his name we are calling on him and he will answer, and that’s where the power comes from.

    • Tony says:

      MaryGrace:

      Thanks for your comment!

      I haven’t found a Bible verse where we read that anybody does anything “with Jesus’ name”. I see a bunch of verses where we read about doing things “in Jesus’ name“.

      We should take note of that small distinction, and let it make a large difference in what we mean. If we say “with Jesus’ name”, we mean that His name is like a tool…I pound a nail into a wall with a hammer, and I cast out demons with Jesus’ name. If we say “in Jesus’ name”, we mean that we’re invoking His name in order to invoke His authority. It’s not saying the name that gets things done. It’s God who gets things done. Jesus’ name has no power on its own. After all: unless Jesus steps in and uses His power on our behalf, we could say His name over and over, all day long, and get nowhere.

  26. whalevox says:

    Absolutely amazed at how manifestation theology has overtaken many believers! Tony is right that the name of the Son has no power in and of itself. The term “in the name of” is about who’s authority we are speaking in. It is always the who, not the name. It’s about representation. If I speak in anyone’s name I speak with the authority of that person. If we are in the will of the Father we will always pray and speak in the name of Christ regardless of the name we use for Christ. This is why we baptize “in the name of”. It’s with the authority given. I hope this makes sense.

  27. Joshua says:

    Jesus is The Sun of God, who is Jehovah. Those of you looking for answers needs to look further into the Scriptures for the truth! Jesus even said in many places of the bible where everything He has taught was from His Father that sent Him! No mistaking that!

  28. Dolores says:

    Wow, this could go on forever. What I understand in the Bible is that we are NOT to argue over “words”. The Lord and also some of the Prophets and Apostles warned us against doing that.

    • Tony says:

      Dolores:

      Can you help us understand what you mean by pointing us to that passage of Scripture? Thanks!

    • Eric Kingsbury says:

      Delores,
      You hit the nail on the head….All of this “back and forth” seems to be motivated by ego….I don’t see how these attempts to argue one’s point brings a person closer to Christ.

      This is so sad!!!!

      • Tony says:

        Eric:

        All of this “back and forth” seems to be motivated by ego…I don’t see how these attempts to argue one’s point brings a person closer to Christ.

        LOL. If you didn’t write that to bring me closer to Christ, then you’re as guilty as those you criticize. One would hope that you, being a teacher, would appreciate the irony.

        You do make a point worth refuting, though. You suggest that these conversations are unlikely to bring one closer to Christ. I wholeheartedly disagree. We’re not talking about our favorite flavors of ice cream here…we’re talking about God, and whether He exists, and what He’s like, and what He requires of us. That seems pretty important. I will illustrate with a true story.

        When I was a teen, a local cult had a church split. Half of that group began to rent our church building for their meetings. Over time, most of those folks came to our regular services. As a result, many came to Christ.

        We didn’t simply argue them into the Kingdom, of course. The arguments they had before their church split were a key factor in their coming to Christ. They were unable to stay together because, for “my half” of the group, that cult got too many things wrong. In their search to know God better, conflicts arose. Those conflicts led them to leave, led them to look for their own church, and eventually led them to a place where they heard the Gospel for the first time. All of this “back and forth” – your words – may have eternal value. I’m not looking to insult people for no reason, but I do want to challenge people to think carefully about what they believe. Consider Paul, speaking to the Athenians. He was more interested in challenging them to consider the claims of Christ than in avoiding arguments. Here are his words from Acts 17:

        So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship – and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.

        If you truly struggle over whether these kinds of conversations have real value, let me suggest that you need to read more Scripture. You might start with the parts where Jesus insults the Pharisees a few dozen times, then move to where Paul suggests that the Judaizers should take circumcision way too far, and spend a little time in Titus. On the one hand, Paul speaks to Titus of the need for being temperate, and setting a good example…on the other hand, he also tells Titus to refute those who oppose sound doctrine. If that was wise and godly advice for Titus, how can you and I do any less?

        I’m certainly not perfect, so I take every criticism seriously. Your criticisms (especially in your most recent comment, which won’t be published) seem particularly hypocritical. You seem guilty of the same things you’re critical of, but I will consider them anyway. I hope you will do the same. I also hope you’ll come back and add substance to these conversations by challenging me and others. If not, this probably isn’t the place for you.

        I wish you well, Eric.

      • firework says:

        Eric You should be careful not to assume the motives of hearts. Yes you shall know them by their fruits but on the Internet there is generally (usually) no way to see full fruits based on a post. Some have a genuine concern for others when posting on here NOT thinking of self.
        Delores it says nowhere in the Bible that we should not dispute errancy in the understanding of scripture. I agree that those who genuinely wish to follow Christ should read their entire Bible because it is a great way to learn of Him and love and understand Him more. However, there are plenty of people who read the entire Bible and never receive a solid and deep understanding of it. These are more like pharisees appearing to walk the walk but are inwardly astray. These types read it and get very twisted ideas of meanings within it thus forming cults etc. Remember even Satan can quote scripture and he knows it better than most.

        • Tony says:

          Thanks, Tamar. I appreciate your comments!

          • firework says:

            Anytime my friend in Christ 🙂 The truth is hard to swallow with many because the world fights against it and it is courageous to speak it knowing you will be persecuted for it due to others lacking in understanding of it. You are reaching people by doing this and it is good. Praise the Lord for working within His servants 😀

  29. Dolores says:

    Read your Bible faithfully, daily, with a prayer to understand, sincerely, without the idea to prove others wrong, and you will get the answers to ALL your personal questions and problems of life (James 1:5-6). Read whole chapters daily, not just a verse or so. You will be amazed what intelligence can be opened up to understanding and His Great Kingdom on this beautiful Earth that He created for us. It’s so wonderful when He opens up our knowledge of Him and all creation. Being faithful to Him, obeying HIS Commandments (learn them) and enduring to the end will keep blessings coming to help us under the worst circumstances. Jesus guarantees it. (Read the New Testament). I am so grateful for Him and what He went through to teach us these things and be our example. Bless us all. . . that we may soon have Peace. I love Him so much!

    • Tony says:

      Thanks, Dolores. That’s good stuff. You didn’t answer the question, though. Where in the Bible are we told to not argue over “words”?

  30. Ray says:

    Tony. It’s great to see you endure this blog. Rightfully so… What I don’t understand is if those of you can all agree, the son of God is Jesus.. But wait.. Yes my friend Tony has presented the evidence that “Jesus” is not even his name… It’s a truly horrible mistake in transliteration.. Because all the evidence (from the bible) implies at the least his name is Joshua!! But we still ALL know it’s Yahusuah. So if his name really means that much… I believe we should show him the respect of His true Name.
    Thanks again my brother

    • Tony says:

      Ray:

      I didn’t say, and wouldn’t suggest, that “Jesus” is bad thing. It’s just a name. It’s “Jezu” in Albanian and “Iosa” in Irish…but the person doesn’t change when we speak His name in another language. Nobody is going to complain when we call God “Jehovah Jireh” or “The Creator of All” or “El Shaddai” instead of “I AM”. The point is that there’s no magic, and no spiritual significance, in the 5 letters that make the name “Jesus”. There are no “spiritual formulas” that make our prayers more likely to be answered.

  31. Ray says:

    Thanks Tony. I understand

  32. Daniel says:

    Hey =) I just want to say that I totally understand what you are trying to say, Tony. I agree that Jesus name has no magical power in our prayers that forces God to give us what we want. That is a very true statement, and one that I am glad you have addressed. It is important to note, though, that God’s Word says that Jesus’ name is very powerful.
    Philippians 2:9-10 says, “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,”
    The name of Jesus, alone, has united families, started wars, divided countries, angered Satan, the list goes on and on. YES, Jesus is special and powerful! His name, also, is extremely powerful. People get kicked out of public schools for mentioning it.
    I think that at this point, you may just be arguing that Jesus’ name has no power in and of itself because you have already made that point. As a loving brother, I think you should recant that part of your argument and just stick to saying, “Jesus’ name has no mystical power in our prayer lives that forces God to do what we want.”

    It’s worth rephrasing your article. There IS power in Jesus’ name, but not the kind of power that you were addressing. Try to specify a little more closely.

    Good article though! Wish you the best, brother

    In Christ,
    Daniel

    • Tony says:

      Daniel:

      Thanks for your comment…I appreciate a helpful word! I do take issue with something you wrote, though.

      “It is important to note, though, that God’s Word says that Jesus’ name is very powerful.”

      It seems you might want to rethink this. Let me show you what it sounds like to me, and you can respond:

      “Jesus’ name has no mystical power that forces God to do what we want. Jesus’ name, however, DOES have mystical power that forces people to bow when they hear it. His name also, just by being spoken, has enough mystical power to unite families, start wars, divide countries, anger Satan, and so on. Yes, Jesus’ name is special and powerful…it has enough mystical power to get people kicked out of public schools, too!”

      Do you see what I see? It’s not Jesus’ NAME that has this special and mystical power. It’s what His name represents: Himself. People argue about all kinds of things related to religion, including Jesus…but that’s not all. The name of Muhammad also has the same effect: it can unite families, start wars, divide countries, etc. I don’t know if it angers Satan…maybe you can figure out how to ask him.

      Let me ask you a very specific question: is it the name “Jesus” that has this power? What about Iosa (Jesus’ name in Irish)? How about Jezu (Albanian)? It’s Jesuo in Esperanto…should we only speak Jesus’ name in English to make these things happen, or will any language do? The plain and simple fact is that GOD is powerful. The name of Jesus isn’t powerful all by itself. Speaking the name sets nothing into motion through some kind of spiritual cause and effect process. It’s not speaking the NAME that does these things…it’s the response of the hearer that makes them happen.

      I’m afraid you’ve integrated some cultural nonsense into your theology, Daniel…kind of like believing that the Devil has horns and a pitchfork. Speaking the name of Jesus does nothing by itself. It’s not magical. What you’ve described is magic, and has nothing to do with Biblical Christianity.

  33. Concerned Christian says:

    Yes there is power in the name but why have we in the last 500 years decided to change the most important name of all time Yeshua, while The savior was on our planet he never answered or even heard the name Jesus his name was and is Yeshua. I find it very strange that man decided to change the name of the most important man that has lived on this earth, why would we change his name. The Bible says there power in his name then people decide to change his name sounds strange to me , or is this a trick of the enemy to deceive mankind.

    • Tony says:

      Dear “Concerned Christian”:

      Why have we decided to change Yeshua’s name? Because we don’t speak Hebrew, that’s why. There isn’t, as far as I can tell, a conspiracy to stop speaking His name. My name is Tony, but Antonio will do just fine…as will “Tone” or “Dude” or “Buddy”. I’m the same person, and my power and authority (LOL…such as it is) isn’t diminished because people don’t say the two syllables that make up my given name. In the same way, Jesus is and will always be Jesus…whether someone calls Him Jesu or Jesus or Yeshua or Iesu or Jesuo.

      • Jill Dosee says:

        Wait a minute–I thought you said your given name was Anthony. So which is it?

        • Tony says:

          You can call me Tony, or Anthony, or Lord Top Ramen if you wish. I will answer to all of them. Of course, if you choose to call me Lord Top Ramen, you will be able to leap tall buildings, find your missing car keys, and eat shellfish without getting hives. This isn’t because I’m able to give you these special abilities…it’s just that the magical combination of those three words unlocks spiritual superpowers. 😉

          • Jill Dosee says:

            Ummm, okay. Well, as much as I would love to leap over tall buildings, I’m not really into that whole magic thing. I’m more into the truth thing. So I guess I’ll just have to call you Tony. But if you have any words that can make me two inches taller, I might listen.

  34. jim says:

    dear tony , can you expound Acts 4:10-12 for me please.
    10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, 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.

    11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

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

    • Tony says:

      Jim:

      I’m sorry I missed your comment before. You asked me to expound Acts 4:10-12.

      Based on the context of your comment, you seem to be connecting the word “name” in there is no other name under heaven. Because this article is about what Jesus means, you seem to be suggesting that this verse somehow contradicts what I’ve written. I’m afraid you’re going to have to be more explicit in your reply because it doesn’t make sense. You seem to be suggesting that we should use Jesus’ name as it appears in the Bible, or we can’t be saved…or something weird like that.

      Where have you gone wrong? Simple: the name found in that passage is Iesous Christos Nazoraios. Is that the name you use when talking about the Son of God? Maybe you thought you meant “Yeshua” or something like that…but Acts 4 doesn’t say Yeshua. It says Iesous Christos Nazoraios.

      The plain truth is that salvation doesn’t come – and answered prayers don’t come – because we utter the right syllables. It comes because we place our trust in the living God, who became flesh and died on our behalf. Whether we say Iesous Christos Nazoraios or Yeshua or Jesus or Iosa or Jezu is irrelevant.

  35. abdul says:

    Also no insist on the four letter word YHWH?

    • Tony says:

      Abdul:

      I’m not exactly sure what you mean, but I’ll guess. Correct me if I’ve misunderstood you. You seem to be saying that we should insist on referring to God as YHWH. That doesn’t make much sense to me. God is referred to in different ways in the Bible. For example: He’s Elohim in Genesis 1:1. In Genesis 2:4 He’s Yehovah Elohim. In Psalm 68:4 He’s Yah. In Genesis 33:20 He’s El. In Ezra 5:1 He’s Elah. There are many more descriptive ways to refer to God in the Bible as well. When we consider the dozens of different ways God is named in Scripture, it seems silly to limit ourselves to only one.

  36. MDE says:

    Now, “we don’t speak Hebrew” is NOT a good argument”; Satan is actually a Hebrew terminology, but we use it; the term “hallelujah” derives from Hebrew terminology; and we use that likewise as well many other Hebrew words we still commonly use. Today we: English speaking people – interchangeably use William/Bob – Tony/Antonio/Robert; Jim/James and so forth and so on. What we do and practice as a English speaking society should not be confused with how the Hebrew and Jewish nation (relative to the tribes of Israel historically) as well as others nations derived from the importance of names in their proper interpretations.

    Now why is it a problem, that many choose NOT to use the name Jesus – because the word/name in and of itself has NO Hebrew nor Jewish roots (nor historical roots) and is only a name established and pegged by the Christian Church. “Jesus” is not an interpretation form of the word “Yahushua” or “Yeshua” – (short form) — in which this is the name that the Son of God came in — Not in the franchised name of what many believe to be in “Jesus”.

    Even in the earlier copies of the KJV version of the bibles (1611) you will not find the name of “Jesus” even mentioned or used, but the Greek term “Iesous” because as we know; there was no letter “J” in the Greek/Latin/Hebrew alphabets. Many many years later, adding the alphabet “J” and removing the letter “I” doesn’t make this an holy name and again “Jesus” is not the proper interpretation for Yahushua” or “Yeshua” – but man made and highly respected name in the Christendom establish by the earlier church fathers of Roman Cathology such as Constantine, Ignatius, Eusebius and many others.

    Again, every scripture you may share to use and quote “the references of the name of Jesus” is actually interpreted as Yahushua” or “Yeshua” and not Jesus; this name is NOT a language interpretation of “Yaweh/Yhwh” is salvation” (such as translating the SAME name from one translation/language to another.

    Again — meaning — defining — and context is much more powerful than just revealing a scripture or two without the proper interpretation. I too am saved and have been in “what we call” the Christian ministry for over 25 years as I too can also quote scriptures with the best of them. However, quoting alone doesn’t resolve meaning and context without defining words in definition and culture. And over the years, many of my views has changed from religion to realization and meaning .

    • Tony says:

      MDE:

      Thanks for your reply. I’ll take each part separately:

      >> Now, “we don’t speak Hebrew” is NOT a good argument”…

      No, it’s not. I was speaking rhetorically…sorry for being confusing. There’s no reason to limit ourselves to speaking Hebrew words, and there’s no reason to not use Hebrew words.

      >> What we do and practice as a English speaking society should not be confused with how the Hebrew and Jewish nation (relative to the tribes of Israel historically) as well as others nations derived from the importance of names in their proper interpretations.

      The implication inherent in your comment is that everybody should do as the Israelites have done. To make such a claim, one needs some kind of logical warrant…preferably from Scripture. On a related note: the fact that the Israelites did things in a particular way is no indication that Christians should do the same. Were Judaism sufficient, Christ would not have come to die. Judaism is only part of God’s story, and Christianity is the rest. Let’s not pretend that the Israelites got things right just because they came first.

      >> the word/name in and of itself has NO Hebrew nor Jewish roots…

      Without some Scriptural reason to prefer names with such roots, this is irrelevant.

      >> Even in the earlier copies of the KJV version of the bibles (1611) you will not find the name of “Jesus”…

      You’re quite right. You won’t find it in a Bible written in Mandarin, either. Again: without some reasonable explanation for why sticking with the original is important, I remain unconvinced.

  37. Joel C.

    Then why a on top of the cross, there’s an inscription INRI. MEANING “JESUS OF NAZARETH KING OF THE JEWS.” IF HIS NAME WAS JESUS, WOULDN’T THERE BE A “J” ON THE INSCRIPTION?…HMMM. THIS MEANS THAT THE LETTER J DIDNT EXIST IN THE ALPHABET UNTIL 400 YEARS AGO. HIS REAL NAME IS YAHSHUA. YAHWEH. “YAH” MEANS GOD. AND IF HE’S GODS SON, HIS NAME IS “YAH” SHUA. “SHUA” MEANING “SAVES” . SO “HIS” REAL NAME IS YAHSHUA MEANING “GOD SAVES” ALL OF YOU NEED TO DIG INTO THE SCRIPTURE AND STOP LIVING THE LIE THAT ALL THE SE FAMOUS PREACHERS ARE TEACHING. WHY IS IT SO HARD TO UNDERSTAND THE TRUTH? BECAUSE GOD WILL ONLY ACCEPT THE “FEW” WHO KNOW THE TRUTH. The name Jesus is a twisted word combining Latin and Greek to make a word that would be more Universal to all tounges. Just like how everyone who is Christian or Catholic worships God on Sunday. The day of the Sun? And not on the Sabbath day. Friday Evening to Saturday Evening. People are so lost these days.

    • Tony says:

      Joel:

      Did you read the article? You don’t seem to be thinking about this clearly. Your own name makes my point…you should take a moment to consider that. Your name is Joel, right? Well…according to you, your name should be Yow’el. It’s a Hebrew name, meaning “Jehovah is God”. Why did you say you were Joel instead of Yow’el?

      We all know the answer to that, Joel. Using the name Jesus is no different than using the name Joel. There’s no conspiracy. It’s not a sin. In Hebrew, it’s Yeshua. In Irish, it’s Iosa. In Albanian, it’s Jezu. In English, it’s Jesus.

      Let’s stop pretending this is a spiritual issue.

  38. jim says:

    Thank you Tony. Sorry about the vagueness. I do admit that I’m uneducated. You are correct that’s the connection i was trying to make. I understand the text as being very specific concerning the name. “No other name” means this very thing to me.
    Should names be translated? Why are they translated? I need more education on this. Humor me please.
    Respectfully requested.

    • Tony says:

      Jim:

      Thanks for clarifying! I’m happy to explain further. Let’s look at other passages of Scripture for clarity:

      A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold. Proverbs 22:1
      and
      A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth. Ecclesiastes 7:1

      What is meant by a “good name”? Your “name” is your reputation…what others can know about you, including your personality, character, and your authority. When an ambassador comes ‘in the name of the king’, they come with the king’s power and authority, and they represent him personally. They are there when the king can’t be, and they act on his behalf.

      That’s what the disciples meant by “in Jesus’ name” in Acts 4. First, they healed as Jesus would have healed, had He been there. Second, they had no power of their own with which to heal…they only exercised Jesus’ power and authority over sickness. Finally, there is no person other than Jesus who has the power and authority to save.

      We are definitely to pray in Jesus’ name. Speaking His name in prayer is no guarantee that our prayer will be answered in the way we’d prefer, though…that’s not faith, it’s superstition. Speaking the syllables “gee” and “zuss” does nothing on its own. Instead, praying in Jesus’ name means that we’re praying as Jesus would pray, speaking with the authority He has given us, and acting on His behalf.

      If the passage meant that speaking the name does something on its own, we wouldn’t say “Yeshua”, either…we would say Iesous, since that’s what the text says. We should think carefully about these things, using all of Scripture as our guide.

      Does that make sense?

  39. Mary says:

    Everything but the right thing has been said.
    On this very special memorial day weekend I have something to say:
    Yah ( God’s name) said that his name would be as a memorial unto all generations.
    Yahshua is the son of the Living God. ( not Yeshua)
    Yahshua = I AM Salvation
    Jesus, previously Iesous and Issus = I AM Zeus. In the name Jesus, all of Christianity and the entire population will receive the mark of the beast, after the removal of those who have kept his holy name.
    Yahshua is soon to return to take up a spotless bride just before the great tribulation comes upon the earth as a flood.
    If you believe in God and if you believe in what he stands for you will ask him and then you’ll learn that Belief in his name is the only way to salvation.
    AT this very hour the entire world has been deceived but Yahweh is calling many people to come out from among them. ( all of the Christian orginazations that call themselves churches but have twisted all of the doctrines which were handed down by the apostles and have removed the messiah’s very name from the scriptures. The messiah name, Yahshua, is the only name under heaven whereby anyone can be saved.

    • Tony says:

      Oh, Mary. Mary, Mary, Mary.

      I appreciate you sharing your thoughts with the world. I don’t appreciate you sharing thoughts that are so poorly formed. If you’re going to insist on a specific spelling of God’s name, you should probably have a firm grasp on the most basic elements of the Hebrew language. Were you to begin even the simplest study of ancient Hebrew, you would begin with the alphabet. The first thing that stands out is that ancient Hebrew HAS NO VOWELS.

      So, “God’s name” (as you put it) cannot possibly be Yah. God’s name – as described in the Hebrew Scriptures – is YHWH. Jesus, on the other hand, was a very common name in ancient Hebrew: Y’shua. Of course, spelling variants were also very common in ancient Hebrew…so the name of God’s Son could be accurately written in a number of ways: Y’shua, Yahshua, Yeshua, and so on.

      Let me encourage you to do a little homework. In case you might think that I agree with any of the rest of your comment, let me say this: your obvious mishandling of Hebrew is the least of your troubles. Let me know if you’d like me to go into painstaking detail.

  40. Mary A Price says:

    Thank you for the email.

    I’m well aquainted with your scholarly view. No need to go into further painstaking detail of your “learned ” perception of Gods name or the false doctrines associated with that name.
    I was taught by Gods spirit alone, and although I was aware of what type of response I could expect from you, I’m not shaken in the least. I’ll choose to hold fast to what God reveals ( not by flesh and blood = linguistics,) but by the power of the Holy Spirt.

    Being a scholar of the “Hebrew” language does not guarantee anyone any spiritual knowledge whatsoever.

    More important then the spelling is the sound , and here’s what SALVATION looks AND sounds like: YAH (I Am) SHUA. ( SALVATION)
    Yahshua = I AM SALVATION . This is how salvation sounds in every nation on the planet and every tounge , with some minor differences in vocalization .This is the simple truth, by the creators design , so that even a 3 year old child can understand . Matter of fact , unless you become as a little child, you will in no way enter into the kingdom of heaven.

    A TRUE JEW is one who believes in the name of their Messiah ,
    YAHshua!

    John 3: 16-17-18.

    • Tony says:

      Mary:

      I’m going to do something that I’ve never done on GodWords before: I’m going to rebuke you. Sounds harsh, I know. Seems, maybe, a little extreme. I’m going to do it anyway.

      Why? Simple: that’s what godly leaders and teachers are told to do. The Greek word ELEGCHO is found 17 times in the New Testament, and it’s the word Paul used when he told Timothy and Titus to teach sound doctrine:

      In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. 2 Timothy 4:1-3

      For there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision group. They must be silenced, because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach…Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the merely human commands of those who reject the truth. Titus 1:10-14

      Why would I rebuke you? For your sake, and for the sake of those whom you might influence. I’ll try to be straightforward and simple:

      1. I love you. I only want God’s best for you. That includes, of course, telling you the hard truth when you need to hear it.
      2. You were not taught by God’s spirit alone. That is a lie. Certainly the Holy Spirit teaches us, but we do not grow that way in isolation, outside of the community of faith. Even Paul the apostle went to Jerusalem to submit himself to Peter and the other apostles, to make sure that what he was teaching matched what Jesus taught. Your claim is not biblical, is not historically meaningful, and is full of arrogance. I would say this even if you agreed with me, of course. The Bereans are commended in Scripture for double-checking Paul’s teachings against Scripture. I encourage you and everyone else to do the same…and I will do it to you. I implore you to submit – not to me, but to Christ – and acknowledge that we are to hold to the faith that was ONCE and FOR ALL handed down (Jude 1:3).
      3. You have suggested that revelation comes through the Holy Spirit (it does) and that I’m a Hebrew scholar (I’m not). In the process, you’ve also suggested that you know God’s mind. I challenge you on this. God doesn’t only reveal Himself to us directly by the Spirit, but He has also revealed Himself through all of Scripture, and through the historic witness of the Body of Christ. You can pretend that you don’t need the Bible or the church, but you are wrong. Like Paul, you should submit yourself to other, more mature, believers…whether they’re living or dead, we all need the ‘great cloud of witnesses’ that have come before us.
      4. You say that a “true Jew” is one who believes in the name of their Messiah. You are wrong. It’s silly to believe “in the name of YAHshua”. We are not to believe in His name, but in Himself. HE is the source and the object of our faith. When we say “in His name” we mean that we are invoking His authority, speaking in His name, saying what He would say if He were here…that we are His ambassadors. You are not speaking for Him when you make the claim to this personal revelation. In fact, I am speaking in His name when I rebuke you and point you to sound doctrine.

      I know that some people might misunderstand what I’m doing here in response to you. I’m okay with that. You need to be rebuked, and I’m willing to do it. You need to repent of your spiritual pride and stop pretending that you are God’s special vessel of personal revelation. God can (and does) reveal Himself to individuals, but that revelation would never contradict previous revelations of Himself. Turn away from your fantasy and turn to God, and to Scripture where He has revealed Himself, and embrace the truth. I don’t say this because you disagree with me, but because you pretend to be something you are not. If you have more to say, you should contact me directly. I will not publish your comments unless they are in accord with Scripture and the historic faith handed down.

      I wish you well. I do love you, and hope that you will accept my rebuke…so that you will be sound in the faith and pay no attention to myths of any kind.

      • Jill Dosee says:

        Wow! Awesome job, Tony. That dear lady needs prayer. Thanks for making time for her. You were right on.

        P.S. I still believe there is power in the name of Jesus. 🙂

  41. Baba says:

    Hi, I’m not christian but was curious about a historical fact (where the name Jesus comes from and whether it had any meaning).

    Surely there must have been other people born before him with the same name, and in ancient times I would assume most names had meaning.

    You’ve answered my question perfectly.

    I also would like to congratulate you on your efforts to distinguish superstition from faith.

    It’s heartwarming to see a website like this one!

  42. Brittani says:

    Jesus in Latin quite literally means “earth pig.” What do you make of that?

    • Tony says:

      What do I make of that? Simple: that you are gullible, and that you haven’t done your homework.

      Come on, Brittani…don’t believe everything you hear or read. I always tell my readers to do their own homework, so don’t believe me at this moment either. Do a little homework and see that this is nonsense, and that those who believe it are just being silly. Don’t be silly, Brittani. Be well-read and well-informed, able to distinguish between internet trolls and serious students. Let me know if I can help with that process. =)

  43. Brittani says:

    You may be right. I know that I have gone down some deep rabbit holes reading about lots of contradicting etymologies and commentaries on the names of God and of Jesus. It really has me very confused. I feel that in prayer God has assured me that He knows my heart and who I am addressing when I pray, so the name I use doesn’t matter in that sense. For a little while I was almost afraid to pray for fear I was reaching out to the wrong entity. I see now that is ridiculous. I do still desire to understand the true name of God and of Jesus, because I do fear that man could have twisted it knowingly or otherwise over the centuries. Do you understand my concern? What sources would you recommend me start with? I meant no disrespect in my comment, though I see now how you may have construed it as such. I am just an earnest seeker of truth who is quite overwhelmed by the information that is out there.

    • Tony says:

      I’m sorry I misunderstood you, Brittani. Still, there’s a lesson to learn from the “earth pig” thing. We need to do our homework! It’s a lot of work, so most people won’t do it…but it’s totally worth it.

      You’re right: you don’t need to worry about accidentally reaching out to the wrong entity. You also don’t need to fear the idea that missing the exact, specific, perfect name of Jesus might cause you some kind of spiritual damage. It won’t. You’re not going to pay a penalty for not having all of the answers.

      God is reaching out to you. He does this for everybody. You’re saying “YES” to God. That’s perfect. You can trust Him. Keep saying YES to God! Read stuff about God carefully, so you don’t get confused by weird people writing stupid stuff about things they’ve never researched. Christianity isn’t complex. It’s not easy (what is?) but it’s something you can understand. God loves you, Jesus died to demonstrate that love, and being reconciled to God (it’s a relationship, not a religion) is how you get life right.

      I would be thrilled to be able to answer more of your questions, and to help you begin to trust God even more than you already do. Please let me know how I can help!

  44. hawk says:

    I’m just a humble servant here just seeking the truth (2 Tim.2:15) No bible scholar. I do understand the facts, that the name; Jesus didn’t come about until the King James translation.I also understand the mind blowing metamorphosis that the original Hebrew name Yahushua or Yeshua has gone through. At least 4 different languages; Hebrew,Greek,Latin and English and more than 1400 years to be translated to the name “Jesus” inwhich I understand, letter for letter, has no meaning other than the adopted meaning from his original name; Yahushua. It is my understanding, from the Holy Sciptures, that when GOD gives a person a name or changes a person’s name, that name has a meaning and it is to ultimately glorify HIM. So I’m more interested in the original, even though, I know that our Lord is more understanding and loving than we could ever imagine.On that note, my question is,whats the facts on His Name; Immanuel. (Isiah 7:14-Matt 1:22-23) what is the original Hebrew pronunciation that GOD gave to the people; and they shall call him….I don’t know a lot, but I do know that YHWH wants us to know the truth in any language.Through my journey of studying, I have often found that Satan comes behind every work of truth and glory established by GOD, to turn it around, undo and twist GOD’S truth into a lie, but just when you think it’s over and done with,GOD flips the script

    • Tony says:

      Thanks for visiting GodWords, Hawk.

      >> I’m just a humble servant here just seeking the truth (2 Tim.2:15) No bible scholar.

      Ditto. I’d love to be a Bible scholar, so I study all the time. Not sure I’ll ever get there.

      >> the name; Jesus didn’t come about until the King James translation

      Jesus’ name was written as “Jesus” as early as 1200 AD or so, some 400 years before the King James Bible.

      >> has no meaning other than the adopted meaning from his original name; Yahushua

      Right! “Jesus” has no direct meaning of its own. It takes its meaning from our Savior’s Hebrew name. It means the same thing and signifies the same person.

      >> I don’t know a lot, but I do know that YHWH wants us to know the truth in any language.

      I couldn’t agree more, brother.

      >> whats the facts on His Name; Immanuel. what is the original Hebrew pronunciation that GOD gave to the people…?

      Good question, Hawk. The Blue Letter Bible (a resource I recommend) has both Hebrew and Greek pronunciations. You’ll find out how to say Immanuel here.

  45. hawk says:

    Thank You, Tony. My spirit bares witness to your studies and input that what you speak is, for the most part, the truth. Not just because I agee with you, but my spirit does as well. Much love for you brother, In the name of YAHUSHUA!!

  46. Lodi says:

    God told the parents of our Savior to give him a specific name with a meaning. That name was transliterated instead of being translated. How hard would it have been to translate His God-given Aramaic name into Greek? I realize that the new testament was written in everyday Greek. I just don’t understand why the apostles did not translate it directly. No one can answer my question but God, and I will see Him in heaven someday and He will explain it to me. In the meantime, God loves all His faithful children. He certainly would not condemn anyone for using a wrong name when they knew no other name. It’s been THE name for centuries. Is everyone who uses a wrong name condemned? “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” Romans 8:1 NKJV

  47. Grace says:

    Jesus you are the only Son of God.and I love you gave your life for me.and how much more love can you shows to me, you gave it all. I love you Jesus.

  48. Warrior of God says:

    John 14
    13And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

    No power… Lol right

    • Tony says:

      Jason:

      Thanks for replying. You seem to have missed the point. Speaking Jesus’ name does nothing on its own. If that were the case, anybody could get anything they want just by saying it…whether they have faith in God or not. That’s not Christianity, that’s magic. Christians shouldn’t be sucked in by such superstition.

      Instead, we recognize that it’s Jesus Himself who has the power. When we call on Him, He hears us and answers our prayers. He doesn’t always give us what we ask for directly, of course. He knows better than we do, and does what is right regardless. So, you see, speaking Jesus’ name doesn’t invoke any power at all. It’s calling on the person Jesus, who has power and hears and answers us, that makes things happen. Saying His name without calling on Him is just wasting breath.

      What are your thoughts?

  49. Mary A Price says:

    Gods name is Yahweh and his messianic name is Yahshua.
    Jesus is a relatively new name and before the letter j was invented during the religious wars about 400 years ago the name was spelled , Iesous.
    The name Iesous was invented, a few years after the messiah was sacrificed , and introduced into the world political system of that day as the Christ of the state religion. The religious leaders knew that Yahshua , the Jewish Messiah was doing great miracles throughout the land , therefore the Romans in collaboration with others highjacked the name and changed it to the name of their Greek god , Zeus, in order to gain political popularity and keep with the traditions of man . They wanted nothing to do with that God who gave the Torah to Moses , that God that said there is only one name under heaven whereby you must be saved. The name is Yahshua. I know that I’ve been rebuked and this will be the last post here from me. These words I speak are truth and Gods Spirit will bear witness to those whom He is calling out .

  50. Kate says:

    God’s name is Jehovah, and his son’s name is Jesus. You pray to Jehovah in the name of his only be-gotten son Jesus. Most bibles have taken God’s name out of the bible and replaced it with The Lord. Some older bibles still have God’s name (Jehovah) in it at Psalm 83:18. Some other bibles acknowledge that the name Jehovah has been replaced with The Lord in the front pages.

    • Tony says:

      Kate:

      God’s name is most definitely NOT Jehovah. When Moses asked God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” (Exodus 3:13-14).

      In Hebrew, God said that Moses should tell them ehyeh ašer ehyeh sent him. If you want to play technical games about God’s name, you should be calling God ehyeh ašer ehyeh.

      Of course, we shouldn’t be playing silly technical games. God is called, in Scripture, by many names. All of them apply, and each is good. Jesus called Him “Father” (PATER in Greek) and we can as well, if we’re adopted into His family. There’s no conspiracy to remove God’s name from the Bible. “Lord” is a good thing to call Him, too. James 1:1 shows James calling the Father THEOS (God) and Jesus KYRIOS (Lord).

      Let me know if you have any questions.

  51. A brother in the faith says:

    Matt. 7:21-23 is a must read scripture for everyone who considers themself a true believer as well as those who are not completely& fully proving themselves unto GOD. I must agree with Tony& here’s why…Yeshua/ Joshua was a very common name in ancient Hebrew so it’s not the actual syllable name that has the power but it’s the one that the name refers to that has the true power. Now our LORD honors His name with no question& you should never close your prayer without honorable mention of His name but just because you say “Jesus…Jesus” doesn’t mean that you will gain favor with GOD. The true miracles done in His name are wrought by the love He displayed by shedding His blood for us. I know a lot of men named Joshua, Je’sus etc.& even though I love my brothers dearly, sorry I wasn’t saved by them& praying in their name won’t help me(if I’m making sense?) it’s got to be the Jesus in your heart not the Jesus on your tongue. I pray that what I’m saying is understood by all & that He receives all the glory in revealing Himself to us all. GOD can explain Himself better than any of us ever can so seek Him diligently & He will be found. GOD bless you

    • Tony says:

      Brother:

      Thanks for your kind words on the “name” issue.

      As for the baptism issue, look at John the Baptist’s words: Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit. THAT is salvation, not water baptism. Water baptism follows in the tradition of Jewish baptism, which was both ritual and symbol…but didn’t accomplish anything spiritually in the life of the one being baptized.

    • firework says:

      Tony…just thought a point could be added here. When Christ tells Nicodemus one must be baptized of water and the Spirit He refers to being born (birth from a womb) and reborn (circumcision of the heart). Basically, birth from the womb would be the water baptism. What the apostles did by baptizing after Christ went to heaven was fire baptism (Holy Spirit).

  52. Jayden says:

    Tony:
    I believe Gods name is Jehovah. God/Jesus has many names. Jehovah is another way of saying Yahweh. Jesus’ name literally means Yahweh has become salvation. If God is Jesus, and God is Yahweh, that makes Jesus Yahweh. Yahweh has become salvation. That signifies that Jesus and God are One. The bible also says CLEARLY, One Lord, over 3000 times in the Old Testament alone! So. You cant believe Jesus is a liar by saying he is God without destroying the Bible as a WHOLE!
    I do not mean this in a rude, corrective, way. I simply am stating my beliefs and strengthening them with the Scripture. Please reply ASAP.
    We may not agree totally, but you are still correct on many things.

    • Tony says:

      Jayden:

      Why do you believe that God’s name is Jehovah?
      We both believe that Jesus is God…so I’m not sure where you think we disagree about that.

    • Paul Rimel says:

      Sorry, Tony, you have been decieved by the jesuits and the vatican, we have been lie to. Yahuah Alahim/Elohim is our creator and real Hebrew Name and His Son’s real Name is Yahusha ha’Mashiach. Google Yahusha, do your own research. 90% of the English translations use the pagan name god for our creator, which is false, look up the name god up. Learn to do your own research, quit leaning on mans past down false traditions and lies. Read Jer. 16, you may learn someting, we have been lied to. We do not have time to play around, My prayer for you is that you take it seriously and seek out who your are serving. Have you ever noticed that those who follow Jesus bowed down to pagan holidays, Dec. 25th is Nimrod’s birthday, not Yahusha. Have you noticed that those who honor Yahusha ha’Mashaich observe all off Yahuah’s Feasts. Food for thought in love. Also to you obey Yahuah commandments, which includes Shabath/sabbath, which is a eternal Covenant with Yahuah and Yisharal/Israel, if you are a believer in Yahusha and are bought with His Blood. Did you know that we were engrafted into the olive tree and become all Yisharal. Your either a Hebrew through the cleansing Blood of Yahusha and were engrafted into the olive tree or maybe you just had a religious experience. Repent while you can and believe on Yahusha ha’Mashiach. He said He is the way, remember, Yahusha was a Hebrew, not Greek. May you find truth in Yahuah Son.

  53. Tamara says:

    Your input regarding a name in terms of what you call someone as opposed to a name with regard to who they are as a being makes perfect sense to me. If the power was in just the name Jesus then any who believed that Christ was powerful (regardless of their own walk of life) could extract power from His name. Even the devil and his angels believe in the Son of God. My point to the naysayers against you is this, when each of you pray do you focus on the spelling of the name Jesus, Yeshua, Yashua or whatever you choose to call Him, or do you focus on who He is (His character, power, love, authority etc.)? The name in and of itself is not the power, the being is the power that answers prayers, heals the sick, raises the dead. When we walk in His character He gives us authority (no person who loves the world will truly love God and thus will not be given authority by Him). This is only done through obedience to His Word. The prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective.

  54. firework says:

    Tony your fruit is good and it is right to seek out the wise so they may gather and grow together. This servant is interested in knowing you more. Please send an email if you agree. Looking forward to a response. May our Lord richly bless you.

  55. Jaimie says:

    Hello Tony,

    I have read all the posts in this string and am amazed by several of the responses. I understand what you are saying about the power being in the person and not specifically the name. Your points are valid for the most part. There are a few areas, however, where I humbly ask that you clarify (if you don’t mind):

    There are passages in the bible that specifically speak to believing “in” the actual “name” rather than the “person” the name represents. Both of the passages I am referring to are form the NIV bible. They are as follows:

    John 2:23 (NIV)

    23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name.

    and

    1 John 3:23(NIV)

    23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.

    In context, I do not believe they support your position on the name. I understand that this is different from your point about the name not having power. I point it out because I can see how people arrive at their conclusion that there is power in the name and power in the person.

    The other area I would like you to comment on is the notion that the spelling and/or pronunciation of a name is not important as long as the person referred to is understood (by some if not all). I will make somewhat of a crude example to get your thoughts. If I choose to call someone of importance, named Charles, “dimwit” (for whatever reason I choose) and get other people over a long period of time to call him by the same name, is this honoring in any way and does it speak to who this person is/was? I can see and appreciate how people genuinely want to know the answer to the question originally posed “what does Jesus mean?” If this is a name that was produced by man (for whatever their reason was) that is different than what was originally given shouldn’t this be a concern? I say this for several reasons:

    1. There was a point in time that all of mankind spoke the same language:

    Genesis 11:1 (KJV)

    11 And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.

    This being the case, everyone referred to “God” the exact same way(s) and there was no confusion. While on this point, please keep in mind that titles are different than personal names. The issue at hand here is about a personal name and its meaning.

    2. I have traveled the world quite extensively in my 51 years on earth. I have lived in Turkey and Saudi Arabia for extended periods of time. While there I introduced myself by my “American” name, (if there is such a thing) Jaimie. It is spelled and pronounced a very specific way. The citizens of both countries were able to understand how to say my name properly and did so without fail. There was never a time that they felt compelled to change the sound of my name to suit their preference. Some had more difficulty than others, but all who cared to get it right did so. For arguments sake, say someone decided to call me something that didn’t sound at all like Jaimie. Supposed one of my Turkish friends decided to call me “Umut”. If he then was speaking about me to someone else (someone who knew me as Jaimie), Would who I was have been accurately conveyed? I understand why we translate words from one language to another. I do not, however, understand why this is done with names. If someone names their son Stephen it does not change to Stephanos simply because he travels to a place where Stephanos is used. It logically makes no sense to me. Humans have the capacity to accurately pronounce names of people from all languages. It may take time and practice, but it can be done.

    3. I do see the need to have a common understanding of words from different languages as it relates to the written word (and spoken word in most cases). I believe names are in a category unto themselves and should always carry their original sound otherwise how would people know when they are being called? This is very similar to the message conveyed in 1 Corinthians 14:8 (KJV)

    8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

    Words need to be changed so that we can understand them in our specific languages. Two in English is spelled “dos” in Spanish, but they mean the exact same thing and nothing is lost in translation. Names do not need to be changed so that we can understand them; they simply need to be spoken. Now before you or anyone else goes there, I am not considering the deaf in my assertions. They communicate by sign and Braille and these are not universal systems. The mere fact that there are deaf people in the world does not change the fact that individually specific names were given by someone and that they have a specific pronunciation. Any other pronunciation is the wrong sound and can lead to tremendous confusion and heartache. In conclusion Tony, if someone was trying to warn you of impending danger and cried out to you by calling you “Timmy” in a crowd of people, would you know the warning was for you?

    I await your response.

    respectfully,

    Jaimie

    • Tony says:

      Jaimie:

      First, let me thank you for such a well-written comment. I appreciate both its content and its tone. I’m more than happy to provide clarification.

      >> There are passages in the bible that specifically speak to believing “in” the actual “name” rather than the “person” the name represents.

      The question isn’t what the Bible says…we agree on that, obviously. Your NIV has the same words as my NIV, so they say the same things. The question is what the writers of Scripture meant when they wrote to believe in Jesus’ name. Let’s not deal in opinion or conjecture…let’s get some help from Scripture. After all, the goal is to understand what God has already said, right?

      1 Samuel 25 gives us a good example of what it means to do something ‘in the name of’ another. David (not yet King of Judah) sent some of his men to a man named Nabal, and told them to speak on his behalf: Go up to Nabal at Carmel and greet him in my name. Then: When David’s men arrived, they gave Nabal this message in David’s name. What did it mean that they spoke “in David’s name”? Clearly, it meant at least these two things:

      1. They went to Nabal with David’s authority, and
      2. They went in David’s place.

      When the Bible says ‘in the name of’ a person, it means that they’re doing something on another’s behalf, or by another’s authority. In the case of David, the men went in his place and spoke his message. There was nothing spiritual going on, obviously. In the case of praying in Jesus’ name, the same thing is happening. The one who prays speaks to God with the authority of the One who told them to pray. Here are some verses where Jesus told His disciples to pray in His name:

      • John 14:13 – And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
      • John 14:14 – You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
      • John 15:16 – You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit – fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.
      • John 16:23 – In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
      • John 16:24 – Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
      • John 16:26 – In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf.

      Why would Jesus tell His disciples to pray to Him in His own name? He didn’t seem to be saying (as in #2 above) to pray in His place. He did seem to be saying to pray to Him because He had the authority to answer their prayers (as in #1 above). There’s no indication in the text of John – or in any other text – that praying in Jesus’ name, or believing in Jesus’ name, or casting out demons in Jesus’ name is anything more than invoking Jesus’ authority.

      Now, back to the verses you mentioned. Believing in Jesus’ name doesn’t mean ‘believing in the letters that, together, form His name’ or ‘believing in the sounds that my mouth makes when speaking His name. Believing in Jesus’ name simply means to believe based on the authority with which Jesus taught, which the Father had given Him. It means to have faith that what Jesus said is true.

      >> language…names

      Let me be clear: the only authority with which I speak on this subject is God’s word. I don’t speak on my own authority, of course…and I don’t pretend that I’ve been given any authority that you haven’t also been given. We both have the Scriptures, and all I’m doing is pointing to them. My goal is not for you to believe me, but to believe God. Where I repeat God’s words from Scripture accurately, I am right. Where I repeat God’s words from Scripture inaccurately, I am wrong.

      Now that we’re on the same page, let me ask you a specific question: do you have any direct information, from Scripture, that suggests that it’s important that the spelling and/or pronunciation of names be retained? I’ve never seen any. All we have are some verses that are pulled from their context and invoked as indirect evidence that a theory might be true. I don’t mean to offend you, Jaimie…but to speak plainly: this is what you seem to have done. Pointing to Genesis 11:1, where everyone spoke the same language, is pointing to Scripture. Suggesting that that verse implies something not found in the text is a bad idea.

      Fortunately, there are passages that can help clear things up. There are a whole bunch of verses that refer to people by more than one name. For example:

      In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. (Acts 9:36)

      If her actual Jewish name (Tabitha) was somehow important, why would Luke write that her Greek name was Dorcas? He wouldn’t, would he? Instead, it seems that Luke is simply using her name in the same way we all use names: to identify her so everybody knew who he was talking about. Here’s another example:

      Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This young woman, who was also known as Esther, had a lovely figure and was beautiful. (Esther 2:7)

      I could provide many such verses. You suggest that names are important…and they are. However: there’s absolutely nothing in the Bible to suggest that we should only call the Son of God by His Hebrew name, or that speaking His name somehow gives us power, or that using a name in another language is ever a bad idea. If the Bible said that, I would believe it. Because the Bible does not say that, I cannot in good conscience believe it…let alone teach it.

      I hope that makes sense. When it comes to teaching theology, I want to speak where the Bible speaks, and remain silent where the Bible is silent.

      Thank you very much for your comment. I respectfully await a response, should you choose to provide. Either way, I wish you well.

      • Jaimie says:

        Good afternoon “GENERALHAVOK”,

        I am very new to this site so I do not know if you and “TONY SCIALDONE” are the same person. I point that out so that I know who I am addressing. I am writing this as if you are one in the same person. In any event, thank you for your reply. I was not at all offended by anything you said. I very much enjoy having exchanges with like minded people whose aim is to glorify God. In our quest for THE Truth we come upon areas where there may be disagreement or confusion. I believe we should be able to work through these areas in a loving manner not only because it’s the right thing to do, but also because others are watching and listening. I pray our exchanges bring people closer to God and do nothing to push them away. The current topic is one that causes tremendous angst in many (especially the young or immature believer). We must always be mindful not to cause any of them to stumble as we explore this subject.

        I sent you the reply not to challenge your position on the power of the name matter, but rather to point out that I could see why some people believed there was also power in the name itself. I concur with you that simply saying a name (any name) has no power. It is the authority of the person attached to the name that has the power. Again, on the power issue, I believe we are on the same page. Where you and I see things slightly differently (my hope is that we end up in the same place) is on the actual name given by a proper authority. Before I explain, please know that until I found your page I was 100% in your camp on this part as well. After much reading and reflection and prayer, I earnestly want to know if there is any merit to the assertions made by many that our Lord and Saviors name was changed by man and not God. If so, did man have the authority to do so? I understand the passages you included above and I understand that people are called by many names. I also understand that back in those days, names were more than a simple identifier of persons; they also had literal meanings. Subsequently, a translation may make sense if trying to convey the meaning of the name. This does not, however, mean that the sound of a person’s actual name should change. An example being: a person in England is named “Eadward” and his name means guardian. The Hungarian word for guardian is “gyam”. If Eadward moves to Hungary, should he accept being called gyam? I could be very wrong here, but I believe if trying to convey what Eadward’s name means then it is appropriate to use gyam, but if saying his name, Eadward should be retained.

        In all of the cases you highlight above, these are not names given by God to His Son and subsequently changed by man. As I stated earlier, my name is Jaimie (Jay me). I am also known by Jimo, Jumo, and Rico. The first two are nicknames given to me by my family. The third is part of my middle name (En Rico). Depending on where I am at or who I’m with, I may be called by any or all of them. The interesting thing is that none of these are translations or transliterations. They are simply nicknames and were given by people who had the authority to do so. That is where my greatest question/concern is. Who has the authority to say what a person’s name is? I pointed out that I have traveled the world and that I have been called by my given name. No one in another country has the authority to call me by any name they choose for me simply because they say it is a translation or transliteration. I will not acknowledge that name nor respond to it. My name is Jaimie (or one of my authorized nicknames).

        With respect to the Genesis scripture in my original reply, I believe you misunderstood why I included it. Please allow me to further explain: I know the bible doesn’t explicitly say this, but I find it hard to believe that at the instant the languages were changed, everyone’s name also changed to the current spelling/pronunciation. Despite my disbelief, it is possible this did in fact happen and I am open to any and all information that indicates this. My aim is to get to THE Truth on the matter (if that is possible). There are several scriptures in the bible where God instructed a name be changed (Abram became Abraham, Saul became Paul). I don’t think there would be any argument on what authority those names where changed. I must point out that it is not only the name of the Messiah I am concerned with. Many (if not all of the names in the bible) have been translated or transliterated. Why exactly was/is this necessary if not to properly convey meaning of the name? To wrap up this particular reply, I want to take you back to a sentence from the original reply in this post:

        “Yehoshua means ‘the Lord saves’, and is translated into English as Joshua.”

        If this is true and widely believed, why isn’t the Messiah called Joshua in English? Why the need for the two names?

        Furthermore, what is said in the rest of the original post is very concerning:

        “Jesus’ Hebrew name is Yeshua, which is a shortened version of Yehoshua. Yeshua means ‘he will save’, and is translated into English as Joshua.

        Yeshua translated into Greek is Iesous.

        Iesous transliterated into Latin is Jesu.

        Jesu became Jesus in English.

        Jesus’ name is actually “Joshua”. There’s no special power in the name itself.

        A translation conveys meaning, so Yeshua and Iesous mean the exact same thing. Jesus is not a translation, it’s a modernized Latin transLITERation of Iesous. A transliteration is simply a letter-for-letter switch: the letters in one language are swapped for letters in another language that make the same sounds. Jesu is a Latin word that sounds like the Greek Iesous. Jesus does not mean “Yahweh saves” or “the Lord saves” or even “He saves”. Despite the fact that Jesus Himself means a great deal to many people, there’s no English meaning to Jesus at all.”

        If what was written here is true about the name Jesus having no English meaning at all, shouldn’t there be concern?

        To recap, the Messiah’s name was changed (by man) to something that doesn’t sound like the original nor does it convey the meaning of his original name. There is an English translation (Joshua) that retains the meaning, but not necessarily the same sound yet it is not used for the Messiah. Man says this is okay on his authority so everything is just fine. Again, I am only pointing this out for clarity and not to be obtuse in any way. I eagerly await further dialogue with you.

        respectfully,

        jaimie

        • Tony says:

          Jaimie:

          Yes, I [Tony] am also sometimes known as GeneralHavok, from the early days of the web. Thanks for writing. I appreciate your desire to help people see the truth. We seem to be on the same page, generally.

          Let me try to narrow down the issue, for clarity. After reading some of the comments on this article, you’re suddenly concerned that we might be better off not using the name “Jesus” to refer to our Lord. Well, please don’t be confused. Those comments are simultaneously 1) well-intentioned and 2) utter nonsense. Let me simplify things.

          What do we mean when we say “Jesus”? We mean the only Son of God, the second person of the trinity, the creator of the universe. We mean God become man, come to die for our sins. We mean the resurrected One who will come again at the end of days. Right?

          What if we started calling Him “Bob”? That’s not His name, but indulge me. What would we mean? Wouldn’t we mean the only Son of God, the second person of the trinity, and so on? Of course we would. We would mean exactly the same thing were we to call Him Joshua, or Yeshua, or Yehoshua, or Dave, or Iesu, or any other name. Now, take a look at the Gospels. They are the Word of God, and a reliable guide for those who would follow the Messiah…right? How is His name rendered in the Gospels?

          Iesous.

          But that’s not His name, is it? Isn’t His name Yeshua? How could His disciples, who traveled with Him for three years, have gotten it so wrong? Obviously, they didn’t.

          To be intellectually honest with everyone, we must be consistent. Either it’s a spiritually significant act to call Him by His Hebrew name Yeshua, or it’s not. There’s no middle ground, is there? I’m not suggesting that we call Him Bob, but I’m pointing to the fact that those who knew Him personally didn’t use His Hebrew name when they spoke about Him, and when they wrote about Him. They spoke Greek in public, and wrote the New Testament in Greek…so they referred to Him, as it was appropriate, by His Greek name: Iesous. Not only is there nothing wrong with that, we must conclude that there is actually something right about that…or they wouldn’t have done it that way.

          Does that make sense? I hope so. Those who pretend that we must call Him Yeshua are also, usually, the ones who are trying to convince Christians that we should follow the Mosaic Law. The two often go hand in hand, despite the fact that a whole bunch of the New Testament was written to combat that very idea. It’s never a good idea to dismiss an argument based on another argument, but it’s helpful to ‘consider the source’ when examining religious ideas.

          Let me know if you have further questions. I’m happy to help.

          • Jaimie says:

            Hello Tony,

            I am pleased that we share the passion to help people see the truth. For clarity, what I was trying to convey with these statements,

            “Before I explain, please know that until I found your page I was 100% in your camp on this part as well. After much reading and reflection and prayer, I earnestly want to know if there is any merit to the assertions made by many that our Lord and Saviors name was changed by man and not God. If so, did man have the authority to do so?”

            was that before responding to you I went beyond what I read on your site and read (learned new things), reflected (considered carefully what I read), and prayed (about what to do with what I learned). I then was asking you if you believe man has the authority to simply change (or not even use) God’s name or His son’s name anytime we want to for whatever reason we choose and still claim to be honoring Him. I offer the following verses for consideration as you ponder that question:

            Genesis 2:4-6 (NOG)
            4 This is the account of heaven and earth when they were created, at the time when Yahweh Elohim made earth and heaven. 5 Wild bushes and plants were not on the earth yet because Yahweh Elohim hadn’t sent rain on the earth. Also, there was no one to farm the land.6 Instead, underground water would come up from the earth and water the entire surface of the ground.

            In this passage, the name of God is used instead of “The LORD” as it is written in many other versions of the bible. Why was it necessary for anyone to remove His name and cause millions to not even realize He, in fact, has a name?

            Jeremiah 23:25-28 (NOG)
            25 “I’ve heard the prophets who speak lies in my name. They say, ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’ 26 How long will these prophets continue to lie and deceive? 27 They tell each other the dreams they had, because they want to make my people forget my name, as their ancestors forgot my name because of Baal. 28 The prophet who has a dream should tell his dream. However, the person who has my word should honestly speak my word. What does grain have to do with straw?” asks Yahweh.

            Is it possible that this passage answers the question I posed above? We don’t even use His name when reading our bibles or praying to Him. His name is actually in the bible approximately 6,000 times (roughly 5 times per page), yet most don’t realize it or “remember” it. This is an excerpt from the 1983 preface of the NIV:

            “In regard to the divine name YHWH, commonly referred to as the Tetragrammaton, the translators adopted the device used in most English versions of rendering that name as “Lord” in capital letters to distinguish it from Adonai, another Hebrew word rendered “Lord,” for which small letters are used. Wherever the two names stand together in the Old Testament as a compound name of God, they are rendered “Sovereign Lord.”

            Because for most readers today the phrase “the Lord of hosts” and “God of hosts” have little meaning, this version renders them “the Lord Almighty” and “God Almighty.” These renderings convey the sense of the Hebrew, namely, “he who is sovereign over all the ‘hosts’ (powers) in heaven and on earth, especially over the ‘hosts’ (armies) of Israel.” For readers unacquainted with Hebrew this does not make clear the distinction between Sabaoth (“hosts” of “Almighty”) and Shaddai (which can also be translated “Almighty”), but the latter occurs infrequently and is always footnoted. When Adonai and YHWH Sabaoth occur together, they are rendered “the Lord, the Lord Almighty.””

            The above is not in the preface for the 2011 revised NIV.

            Philippians 2:9-11 (NOG)
            9 This is why God has given him an exceptional honor—the name honored above all other names—10 so that at the name of Yeshua everyone in heaven, on earth, and in the world below will kneel 11 and confess that Yeshua Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

            If the name above is to be honored, shouldn’t it be the one used and not a variation of the name?

            Philippians 4:3 (NOG)
            3 Yes, I also ask you, Syzugus, my true partner, to help these women. They fought beside me to spread the Good News along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers, whose names are in the Book of Life.

            Will there be many versions of a name in the book or just one? Which one?

            Matthew 6:9 (NOG)
            9 “This is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, let your name be kept holy.

            How do we keep a name holy if we say it is okay to change it for whatever reason we (man) deems appropriate?

            Luke 1:49 (NOG)
            49 because the Almighty has done great things to me. His name is holy.

            Doesn’t scripture again and again say that the name matters and that it (the name) is holy?

            John 17:11 (NOG)
            11 I won’t be in the world much longer, but they are in the world, and I’m coming back to you. Holy Father, keep them safe by the power of your name, the name that you gave me, so that their unity may be like ours.

            Shouldn’t we use the name spoken about here? The name that the father gave and not one that man morphed it into?

            Acts 4:10-12 (NOG)
            10 You and all the people of Israel must understand that this man stands in your presence with a healthy body because of the power of Yeshua Christ from Nazareth. You crucified Yeshua Christ, but God has brought him back to life. 11 He is the stone that the builders rejected, the stone that has become the cornerstone. 12 No one else can save us. Indeed, we can be saved only by the power of the one named Yeshua and not by any other person.”

            A very specific name is used here. All the passages I have included come from the NOG version of the bible. I am in no way endorsing this version at present. I’m just using it to show that there is a very different sounding name used. If this is the original name, shouldn’t we use it?

            Acts 4:17-18 (NOG)
            17 So let’s threaten them. Let’s tell them that they must never speak to anyone about the one named Yeshua. Then the news about the miracle that they have performed will not spread any further among the people.” 18 They called Peter and John and ordered them never to teach about Yeshua or even mention his name.

            By changing the “name” from the original to the present form, hasn’t this been achieved? Most believers I have come in contact with in the United States never “mention” the Hebrew name you and I both believe He was given.

            Acts 26:15 (NOG)
            15 “I asked, ‘Who are you, sir?’ “The Lord answered, ‘I am Yeshua, the one you’re persecuting.

            In this passage it is Paul who is being spoken to and he was being spoken to in Hebrew. I’m convinced it is His Hebrew name used. I am also convinced that no matter what language our messiah speaks in, He uses just one name just the same way you and I would if we traveled to a foreign land and introduced ourselves.

            Romans 9:17 (NOG)
            17 For example, Scripture says to Pharaoh, “I put you here for this reason: to demonstrate my power through you and to spread my name throughout the earth.”

            How is the name being spread if it is not used or it has been changed to something not even close to the original in sound or meaning?

            Revelation 3:8 (NOG)
            8 I know what you have done. See, I have opened a door in front of you that no one can shut. You only have a little strength, but you have paid attention to my word and have not denied my name.

            Is denying to use the original names, denying His name to some degree? If He has a name, shouldn’t we use it and profess it to be the only name? I understand we have different words in different languages for the exact same thing, but shouldn’t names be left alone? Shouldn’t the name of God be kept holy?

            In conclusion, what is your support that these statements you made are true?

            “I’m not suggesting that we call Him Bob, but I’m pointing to the fact that those who knew Him personally didn’t use His Hebrew name when they spoke about Him, and when they wrote about Him. They spoke Greek in public, and wrote the New Testament in Greek…so they referred to Him, as it was appropriate, by His Greek name: Iesous. Not only is there nothing wrong with that, we must conclude that there is actually something right about that…or they wouldn’t have done it that way.”

            Is your source for these statements about what those who personally knew Him from our (English speaking) version of the bible? Please consider that at the time the messiah walked the earth, he was not known to the masses (Jews or Greeks) the way He is today. As news of Him spread, do you honestly and intellectually believe that many different versions of His name were developed and spread? What you are reading in the bible you are using is a translation of the original text. No one can be certain that the “original” new testament wasn’t written in Hebrew and later translated into Greek. As a matter of fact, there was no “new testament” as we see it today in those times. Each book of the new testament was written at a different time and later brought together in its present form. Do I believe it is the inspired word of God? Yes. Is it possible that man has altered parts of it? Yes.

            While on this subject of the new testament, what language was the book of Hebrews written in? This book was written to the Hebrews. Certainly it was not written in Greek. There is also compelling evidence that the book of Matthew was originally written in Hebrew. I invite you to research that or I can provide sources if you like.

            As for the matter of the Mosaic law, that is a topic for another thread. My hope is to tackle this issue first before moving on to another. I will say, however, that I don’t ascribe to very legalistic views (strict interpretations of enforcement of laws/rules) of the new testament.

            In conclusion Tony, I really appreciate your willingness to dialogue with me as we search for the Truth. I believe you have access to my email address. Would you consider contacting me via that address so we can exchange phone numbers and speak offline? If not, no worries. We can continue in this forum.

            respectfully,

            Jaimie

          • Tony says:

            Jaimie:

            Let’s work to keep things brief, for clarity. Let’s also be all about Scripture, okay? Logic is helpful, and we should think hard about these things…but let’s start with the Bible.

            When we read name in the Bible, the Greek is onoma and the Hebrew is shem. Both have multiple definitions. All translation workers – including those translating the Bible – run into this difficulty. When a word has multiple definitions, how do translators know which definition to use?

            Simple: they pick one, and only use that one.

            Ha Ha. That’s a bad idea, right? Think of the meanings for home. There’s a home plate in baseball, an old folks’ home, our heavenly home, a company’s home office, an accusation striking home, feeling at home, the dwelling you sleep in, the city you grew up in, home base for a military unit, and so on. If someone asks why you eat dinner on a baseball field, they’ve clearly misunderstood what you meant by ‘going home for dinner.’ Giving the context of your words lets them understand your meaning more precisely. Context matters.

            Context isn’t just important…it’s crucial. The discussion on this page shows people talking about name as if it has only one meaning. This isn’t a small matter. It’s a fundamental problem in theology. Entirely new religions have been spawned over such ignorance. False allegations have been spread because otherwise well-meaning people don’t understand even the most basic principle of biblical interpretation.

            When a word like onoma appears in Scripture, we must read the context to see what the author was saying. Sometimes it’s abundantly obvious from the context, and sometimes it’s a little more obscure. That’s why there are so many notes in a study Bible, by the way…to show alternate renderings of a passage when the context isn’t obvious. Now, here’s a Bible verse and the definitions of shem. Pick the one that most likely matches what the author meant:

            And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. (Genesis 11:4 KJV)

            There’s the verse…here are the definitions:

            1. name
            2. reputation, fame, glory
            3. the Name (as designation of God)
            4. memorial, monument

            Clearly, Babel’s tower builders weren’t trying to literally create a name, like Bob, with stones and mortar. Nobody in their right mind would use definition #1 in this context. Now, go back and reread any verse you’d like with the word shem in it and pick the definition that fits the context. When the Bible speaks of someone’s name, they often mean much more than what’s on their birth certificate.

            As for whether we need some authority for what we call someone, consider the following:

            We don’t really know what the Tetragrammaton really was, or what it sounded like. There are no vowels in ancient Hebrew, so we have no way of knowing that we’re getting it right. Is it YHWH? YHVH? Is it yodh he waw he? We don’t know God’s actual name, so we can’t get it right. The vowels in the word Yahweh come from the Greek word adonai, which means lord. It’s not a name, it’s a reference point. Anyone in authority over you could be called lord.

            There’s nothing we can officially call God. Pretending otherwise is simply nonsense. Pretending that somebody changed God’s name, then asking whether they had the authority to change God’s name, is kind of silly when you have the facts.

            But – they say – what about the Son of God? He had a name. His name was changed…isn’t it really Yehoshua? By whose authority do we call Him Jesus?

            The answer is that no authority is needed, as nothing is going on here. There’s absolutely nothing in the Bible to indicate that names should be used in their original language. Even the tower of Babel wasn’t originally called that (Genesis 11:9). Prophetically speaking, Jesus was to be called Emmanuel. Why does nobody suggest that we should be calling Him by that name? Because it’s obvious that the Isaiah passage (where Matthew gets the reference) isn’t talking about His actual given name. If you want more information, do an exhaustive search for that is in the Bible. Over and over again you’ll see that specific names really aren’t very important. The goal wasn’t to reproduce exactly the sound of a name in its original language, but to accurately indicate which place or person the author was pointing to. Many of the name differences come from language limitations. Not every language has the same sounds in it. You can blame God for that, by the way.

            To put it simply, the whole name issue comes from ignorance, not wisdom. It’s perfectly fine for the Italians to call the Son of God Gesu, the Albanians Jezu, and the first-century church (including Jesus’ disciples) Iesous Christos. The question isn’t whether we use the same syllables, but whether we mean the same person. If you want to call Him Yehoshua, then by all means do…but please don’t pretend that it means something different than Jesus. Please especially don’t suggest that there’s anything spiritually significant going on when a Romanian calls Him Iisus.

            P.S.
            You suggest that I’m reading an English translation of the original text. That’s not the case, as I regularly refer to both Greek and Hebrew in my studies. You’re welcome to do the same (I highly recommend it), and am confident that you’ll find what I found. Also: it’s certainly the consensus among scholars, both secular and religious, that the New Testament was written in Greek. We have questions about a book or two, but that’s irrelevant in light of the facts. Did you know that, before Jesus was born, many Jews had lost the ability to speak Hebrew? That alarmed the Jewish leaders so much that they commissioned the Septuagint, which is a Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament. It was completed around 200 BC.

            I welcome – of course – your continued discussion. Please do try to boil it down if you can…and please take the time to look up the passages mentioned. Thanks!

  56. Jaimie says:

    Hello Tony,

    My sincerest apologies for the long reply above. My intent was to provide you with exactly what you have asked for in your latest reply: “Let’s also be all about Scripture, okay?”

    I provided at least 10 bible passages where the context is clear. They spoke to the actual name and its use. Instead of using any of the ones I actually used, you gave an example above that has nothing to do with the subject matter at hand nor does it accurately reflect what I did with the passages I included.

    All of my responses to you have been written with love and respect. It saddens me that when people dialogue (especially on sensitive issues) some resort to name calling and demeaning language. My hope is that we can continue this discussion without further instances of either.

    I’ll keep this reply (comment) brief as you requested, but I must ask: was the option to reply to the topic “WHAT DOES ‘JESUS’ MEAN?” removed on purpose or was it an oversight? I also got no email notification of your reply as I have in the past.

    I concur that context is crucial to understanding the word. Would it be possible to fully examine the passages I provided in my previous reply to see if we are in agreement on the context?

    The significance our ancestor believers put on names was very much different than today. Back then names were given with more care than now. Names actually had meaning and they were considered inseparable from the actual person. It spoke to the essence and character of a person. That is why in my original reply I used the first post in this thread to ask my questions. The following statement was particularly troubling:

    “Jesus does not mean “Yahweh saves” or “the Lord saves” or even “He saves”. Despite the fact that Jesus Himself means a great deal to many people, there’s no English meaning to Jesus at all.”

    My original question still remains. Shouldn’t there be concern if we stripped away the essence of what the name means?

    I have read all the bible references you provided above and I don’t see how anything I have said is in conflict with any of them. I concur with your understanding of why we don’t call the Messiah, Emmanuel. In the chapter of Matthew that you quote it is very clear why. The angel of the Lord told Joseph exactly what to call Him and Joseph complied to the letter. I find no fault in his actions.

    I also do as you do and refer to Greek and Hebrew in my studies. I am searching for the Truth which requires going beyond the limitations of any particular language.

    As far as pretending, I know I am not doing that. I used the preface to the NIV bible to support that God’s name was removed from the bible and replaced with a title. I never said it was changed. I said the Messiah’s name was changed and everything you wrote agrees with that. The issue is what we actually call Him. I contend it matters while you say it does not. You stated above that we can’t get God’s name right. I disagree with that statement as written. We can’t get it right if we don’t search for it or ask God for it. If we simply rely on what man says, we are in trouble. God is not dead and He can speak to us. We also have the Holy Spirit in the world to guide us. I am confident that we can and will get the answer to the question of God’s name and whether or not we should be using it.

    The oldest source documents we have are not original writings by the actual authors of the bible. They are “copies” of the original and no one (that we know of) has the original. These copies may or may not be copied in the original language written. How than can anyone state emphatically what the disciples called the Messiah of how they actually spelled His name?

    In conclusion, most all the names in the bible look/sound a bit different than the so called original name given. I understand giving some allowance for accent/dialect and even some language limitation, but in the case of the Messiah’s name the changes made render His name unrecognizable. Why didn’t the other names in the bible morph to the same degree? After a very quick review, it is easy to see how Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham ended up in their current form. There are even some names that pretty much stayed the same (all the names of the churches in the book of Revelation). These names have changed over time, but the bible retains their original names (as much as we can tell that is). How can there be this much inconsistency on something as simple to get right as names? I don’t know if you have traveled beyond the borders of the United States, but I have done it extensively (to the very regions the bible speaks of). I can assure you that names and the use of them are not treated the way you are representing them in these posts.

    Respectfully,

    Jaimie

    • Tony says:

      First, you don’t need to apologize. You did nothing wrong, of course. I simply suggested that we try to avoid being unnecessarily long. You may have noticed that my reply wasn’t short…but I did edit it for brevity.

      Second, not replying to the verses you cited wasn’t a dodge in any way. I spoke only to the principles involved, and invited you to revisit the passages in question to reconsider their contexts. I will address the first, third, and fourth below. I chose those at random, not knowing which was which. Unless you have a question or comment about a specific passage, it’s best to stick to the principles of biblical interpretation.

      Third, I did not intend to demean you. I apologize if I hurt your feelings. At the same time, some ideas are silly…and I won’t apologize for putting such ideas into their proper perspective. A Mormon might take similar offense at the idea that it’s silly to base a gigantic set of doctrines (proxy baptism) on a single, out of context Bible verse…but it is silly. If you read my words carefully, you’ll see that I never call any person names. I might say that an idea is silly, or nonsense, and I might suggest that a person is being silly for believing nonsense, but it’s always in the context of encouraging them to think carefully about their beliefs. Don’t be sad, Jaimie. Don’t be silly, either. You asked me some questions, and I hope you’ll carefully consider whether your position or mine matches what we find in Scripture.

      Fourth, I have not fiddled with the reply options. I’m not even sure exactly how they work, as they look different for me than for you. My assumption is that they work now as they’ve always worked. However: in the past couple of weeks, I did deactivate all of my website’s WordPress plugins to test for a bug. That might account for any anomalies.

      >> Shouldn’t there be concern if we stripped away the essence of what the name means?

      If you’re worried about a spiritual concept, Scripture is (in my opinion) your first and last option. This idea certainly doesn’t come from Scripture. If it were important, God would have said so. You’re worried about the name of the person, while the text is concerned about their reputation. You should see that by looking at the context of each verse.

      >> I am searching for the Truth which requires going beyond the limitations of any particular language.

      There’s a very specific reason to consider such a statement dangerous. There are two ways to read the Bible: exegetically and eisegetically. Exegesis is the process of ‘reading out of Scripture’ what’s already in there. Eisegesis is ‘reading into Scripture’ what isn’t already in there. Keep those definitions in mind, and then reconsider the idea of context. To understand a passage, we must read it in its original context. Changing the context changes the meaning. Now consider exegesis and eisegesis, and how each intersects with context. Exegesis seeks the author’s intentions for writing a passage…when we understand the context, sticking with the author’s intentions, we may clearly understand the text. When we eisegete, we insert external ideas into the text. This changes the context and so changes the meaning of the passage. You can imagine how easy it is to completely miss the meaning of a passage by eisegeting. Don’t search for truth beyond the Scriptures, Jaimie. Search for truth in the Scriptures.

      >> God’s name was removed from the bible and replaced with a title.

      No, it wasn’t. The truth of the matter (as I outlined in my response) is that we don’t know God’s name. No Bible has ever contained it, so it can’t be removed. It can only be represented symbolically.

      >> The issue is what we actually call Him. I contend it matters while you say it does not.

      When you can find that in Scripture, I will agree with you. In 20 years of discussing this online, I’ve never found anyone who can produce a passage that suggests such a thing. In every case, the argument has come from eisegesis. You might be the first, so I’m always open-minded. If it’s important, Scripture will say so. If Scripture doesn’t say it, God and the prophets and Jesus and His disciples must not have considered it important. Do me a favor: don’t bother responding to further your disagreement without first exegeting some passage that teaches believers that using the actual name of a person is spiritually significant, and worth fighting over. We already know we disagree, and only Scripture can clear this up.

      >> You stated above that we can’t get God’s name right. I disagree with that statement as written. We can’t get it right if we don’t search for it or ask God for it.

      Search for it in the Scriptures. It’s not there. Searching for it elsewhere is a fruitless exercise, as far as this conversation is concerned…if you told me God gave you the answer in a dream, I would compare your experience with Scripture. If you told me you found the answer in a scholarly book, I would compare those words with Scripture. My goal is to speak where Scripture speaks, and to be silent where Scripture is silent. The folks who worry about this issue are trying to speak where Scripture is silent, and I can’t get on board with that. They’re inserting their own ideas into the discussion, rather than sticking with what the Bible actually says.

      >> I am confident that we can and will get the answer to the question of God’s name and whether or not we should be using it.

      I am confident that we already have the information we need to be 100% right with God.

      >> How than can anyone state emphatically what the disciples called the Messiah of how they actually spelled His name?

      First, you might do a little reading on the nature of the transmission and translation of Scripture, paying special attention to the manuscript evidence. No scholar I’m aware of questions whether our earliest manuscripts are essentially direct copies of the autographs. Second, we’re not stuck in the situation you describe. We have plenty of writings from ‘the patristic fathers’ like Polycarp, Clement, Ignatius, and Tertullian, for example. They were the disciples of Jesus’ disciples and, while their writings aren’t to be considered Scripture, they provide a record of early Christianity. At no point in the history of Christianity has this been an issue, either in Scripture or in the first several hundred years after Jesus’ resurrection. In other words, this is a non-issue.

      This section deals with the Scripture passages from your previous comment.

      You quoted from the NOG (Names of God Bible). Here’s an excerpt from the introduction by their translation team:

      The Names of God Bible restores the transliterations of ancient names – such as Yahweh, El Shadday, El Elyon, and Adonay – to help the reader better understand the rich meaning of God’s names that are found in the original Hebrew and Aramaic text.

      You then suggest that ‘We don’t even use His name’ when reading the Bible. The names to which you refer are not God’s name! Even the Names of God Bible tells us that these are transliterations, just as Jesus is a transliteration of Yehoshua or Yeshua. The goal in using those transliterations was not to restore some important but lost method of being right with God, but to help the reader better understand. Even for scholars and translators who consider such things valuable, this is not an issue. You asked “Why was it necessary for anyone to remove His name and cause millions to not even realize He, in fact, has a name?“. Again, the answer is plain: nobody removed God’s name. It wasn’t in there in the first place. If God has an actual name, it’s not recorded in any Scripture. We have only descriptions and titles, and transliterations of descriptions and titles. God didn’t even say that His name was “I AM THAT I AM”, did He? Of course not…read Exodus 3. Here are vv13-14:

      Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”

      Don’t you see? Both Lord and God (from the Hebrew yehovah and elohiym) are titles and not names. We do not have God’s actual name in Scripture. If God’s actual name mattered, we would already have it. If using transliterations of God’s name or Jesus’ name mattered, we would see it in Scripture. Instead, it is the reputation of God that matters. This is why both the Israelites and Christians were taught that how they treat outsiders matters: because their actions reflect well or poorly on God. That’s what is meant by the name.

      Philippians 2:9 – If this speaks of Jesus’ actual name and not his reputation, how is it that we’re not prohibited from giving our children the same name? Yeshua was a very common name in Israel. How could one Yeshua’s actual name be be honored above all other Yeshuas? It can’t. The passage speaks to His reputation.

      Luke 1:49 – If Luke meant that God’s name is holy, and so we should make sure to get it right, why doesn’t Luke use God’s actual name anywhere? I know that your argument is that Luke may have done just that, and that the Scriptures were changed later. This is an argument from silence that has no evidence, and flies in the face of the facts. Why would those first- and second-century Christians who copied the Bible do such a thing? That would undermine the faith they sought to preserve. No, this line of reasoning is unreasonable.

      John 17:11 – Here we run into the same superstition as in many of the earlier comments on this thread. Their implication is that Jesus’ name is a kind of magical talisman that performs spiritual acts of power when it’s used. If Jesus was asking God to protect the disciples with His powerful name, then it’s the name itself that has power. You’ve already disagreed with this kind of illogic, so I suggest that this passage could not possibly be speaking of using God’s actual name for protection.

      That’s 1, 3, and 4. I could do this all day long, and I will if I have to. I don’t believe I’ll have to, because you’re a reasonable man. Take the time to review the passages of Scripture that you’ve cited with both context and exegesis in mind. Stick with what we do know, and don’t be alarmed by what we don’t know (or have never known). This is a red herring issue…that is, by focusing our attention on a non-issue, certain people have kept us from focusing on the real issues. The real issues are things like What Does Scripture Say and How Should I Live As A Result and What Are The Instructions That God Has Given Me.

      I wish you well, and await your response.

      • Jaimie says:

        Hello Tony,

        Thank you for your reply. I believe we are having a disconnect between the essence of what I’m saying and the words you are reading in my replies. That is the major reason I asked if we could speak offline. I, like you, edit my responses for brevity to the greatest extent possible. This may cause some gaps in the thoughts we are trying to convey. Take for example what happened when I made a statement with very narrow scope (and in the interest of economy of words) in reference to something you wrote first. You wrote:

        “Many of the name differences come from language limitations. Not every language has the same sounds in it. You can blame God for that, by the way.”

        I wrote:

        “I am searching for the Truth which requires going beyond the limitations of any particular language.”

        That, somehow, got turned into me making a dangerous statement and definitions from you on exegesis and eisegesis. I understand the difference and refrain from the latter. I also understand how you came to the conclusion you did. Again, I was speaking very narrowly about the name changes being in part from language limitations. I was not talking about the broader search for the Truth in all things especially Truth that can’t be supported by scripture. I suppose I could have made it clearer that I was referring to your statement, but I felt you would see that. The essence of what I was saying is that language limitations do not adequately explain why names need to change. All able bodied humans (with functional vocal chords) can make the required sounds to accurately pronounce names; it just takes practice.

        I will try to express my point as concisely as possible without losing its essence going forward. I’ll start with the last part of your last statement: “What Are The Instructions That God Has Given Me.”

        I concur and that is why I asked my original question. You are correct that there is a transliteration (without vowels) of God’s name in some bibles. After much study, it became clear to me that people (man) deemed God’s name so sacred that they decided to not use it. Does this statement jive with what you have read and came to believe? If so, that is what I’m speaking to. That at some point people actually knew his name. Does this mean that Moses originally used His name when he penned Genesis? I can’t be 100 percent sure based on the records that man has kept and it doesn’t really matter with respect to this point. All I am getting at here is that God’s name was known at some point in history and now it is not. Nowhere in scripture does it say that God mandated this or that He didn’t mandate it. Does that mean we are not to worry about it? My contention is that we should, based on the scripture we do have where the bible speaks to the importance of the name. The passages I included speak about how we are to treat the names of God (whether it be the Father or the Son). We were given specific instruction on the matter. We are not to deny His name or forget it. We are not to misuse it. We will kneel to it. We should keep it holy. We are to be saved by the power of the one given that name. Can we substitute reputation or memorial in some or all of these cases? Possibly, but the context remains the same in these instances. The name, memorial, reputation, and character of the “person” behind the name are inextricably linked. They cannot and should not be separated as if they are independent from one another for this discussion. In this sense the name, the character, and the person are one. You can’t take away one side of the “triangle” replace it with something else and then claim it to be the same thing. I understand that there are different connotations for words. That’s not at issue here. Words have different meanings and sometimes more than one is meant at a time. Sometimes the meaning is narrower or more specific. When we say “in the name of” I understand that we are saying with the authority of, or as an ambassador of, or some other derivative of that.

        What I’m saying is that your statement that “You’re worried about the name of the person, while the text is concerned about their reputation. You should see that by looking at the context of each verse” is not how I feel or what I’m communicating. I’m saying that both apply in this case and the context supports this. Why are they being separated?

        Exodus 20:7 (NOG)
        7 “Never use the name of Yahweh your Elohim carelessly. Yahweh will make sure that anyone who carelessly uses his name will be punished.

        Jeremiah 23:27 (NOG)
        27 They tell each other the dreams they had, because they want to make my people forget my name, as their ancestors forgot my name because of Baal.

        Philippians 2:10 (NOG)
        10 so that at the name of Yeshua everyone in heaven, on earth, and in the world below will kneel.

        Matthew 6:9 (NOG)
        9 “This is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, let your name be kept holy.

        Luke 1:49 (NOG)
        49 because the Almighty has done great things to me. His name is holy.

        John 17:11 (NOG)
        11 I won’t be in the world much longer, but they are in the world, and I’m coming back to you. Holy Father, keep them safe by the power of your name, the name that you gave me, so that their unity may be like ours.

        Acts 4:12 (NOG)
        12 No one else can save us. Indeed, we can be saved only by the power of the one named Yeshua and not by any other person.”

        Acts 4:18 (NOG)
        18 They called Peter and John and ordered them never to teach about Yeshua or even mention his name.

        Acts 26:15 (NOG)
        15 “I asked, ‘Who are you, sir?’ “The Lord answered, ‘I am Yeshua, the one you’re persecuting.

        Romans 9:17 (NOG)
        17 For example, Scripture says to Pharaoh, “I put you here for this reason: to demonstrate my power through you and to spread my name throughout the earth.”

        Revelation 3:8 (NOG)
        8 I know what you have done. See, I have opened a door in front of you that no one can shut. You only have a little strength, but you have paid attention to my word and have not denied my name.

        ***Please note that I am only using the NOG bible to highlight the difference in the names used, not as an endorsement of this version or the names in it.***

        I will stop here for now as I do not want to make this too long. My hope is that you understand what it is I’m actually saying about the name, reputation, character, and person all being in agreement. I have included several passages where this is supported. Do you agree with the position that the name and the person are inextricably linked and that the bible supports this?

        Respectfully,

        Jaimie

        • Tony says:

          >> God’s name was known at some point in history and now it is not.

          1. From where do you get this information?
          2. If we don’t know God’s name – and can’t figure it out – any discussion about inappropriately changing it is moot. Right?
          • Jaimie says:

            Tony,

            I am getting it from here for one. In this passage God gave this commandment. Isn’t this one of THE 10 commandments? Why give it if we did not know His name? Now you could argue that name doesn’t mean actual name here, but that it means reputation or character or memorial. I’m saying that it is clear from this passage that it means more than one of those. For reference, I was exactly where you are on this subject for many years. I made the same arguments you are making now. I was unwilling to consider this topic at all until I read something on your site that made me be still for a moment and actually listen (read) to what was being said (written).

            Exodus 20:7 (NOG/NIV)
            7 “Never use the name of Yahweh your Elohim carelessly. Yahweh will make sure that anyone who carelessly uses his name will be punished.

            7 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

            I am not advocating “changing” anything at all. I’m advocating doing what God asks us to do. What I’m saying with respect to God the Father is that if He does, in fact, have a name, as scripture points out below, shouldn’t we use it? The question then becomes how do we find that out? That’s where my “God is not dead” comment came from. I know that God can still (in this age) speak to us. I say we ask Him for the answer and stop relying solely on man or recorded history for the answer. With respect to the Son, I’m saying that it is widely believed (I believe you also said you believe) that his name is really something other than Jesus and that if it had been translated/transliterated properly it would be closer to Joshua in English. In this case I’m asking why don’t we all use that name then or the actual one given if it can be determined?

            respectfully,

            Jaimie

  57. Jaimie says:

    Tony,

    To be clear, I meant “above” scripture and stop using recorded history other than the bible.

    Jaimie

  58. Jaimie says:

    Tony,

    For your continued consideration:

    The Smith family has made a name for itself over many generations. When people speak of them they say what fine people they are and that they can be trusted. Members of the family gain entry to many places simply by saying they are so and so Smith. One day Tom Smith decided he wanted to change his last name to Davis. He is the same person only his named changed. He in essence has divorced himself from the legacy of his good family name (reputation) and must somehow link it if he wants to retain the benefits of the name or he has to create a new legacy. As years pass, Tom Davis earns a despicable reputation and his children must bear the weight of it. The Davis name is now mud. Doors don’t open at its mention. In both cases the name and the person are linked and cannot be separated. Every time a name is changed the reputation that was associated with the former must be linked or it is lost. Linking it is problematic as it must be explained to all those who knew you as someone else prior.

    With respect to the subject at hand, it has been noted that the name of our Messiah was morphed into its present form a few hundred years ago. There was no United States of America with its 320 million people. There was no internet or mass communication system. His current name is how many have come to know of Him and His legacy. The world wasn’t as connected as it is today. What we see as a change in the Messiah’s name over time may not have been quite so evident to the masses back then. Even if it was, it wouldn’t have been as difficult to change it as it would be today. Can you imagine what would happen if we created a new letter for J today and gave it a different sound? There would be major backlash and quite a bit of chaos. How would you feel about that? Would you use a different name just because a new letter was introduced? Would you rationalize that as long as it’s referring to the same person it’s okay?

    In addition, here are some other passages where it is clear names matter:

    Psalm 5:11, 83:18, 99:6, Isaiah 50:10, 1 Kings 8:35, 2 Samuel 22:50, Malachi 3:16 and Exodus 23:13. There are many passages in the bible that speak to the name. When looked at collectively, it is evident names are very significant and that we have been given instruction on how to treat them.

    Respectfully,

    Jaimie

    • Tony says:

      Jaimie:

      Let me restate my position a little differently. You’ve already agreed that we don’t know God’s name. The only thing left in your position is to figure out God’s name, so we can do what God wants us to do.

      Well…good luck with that. Your position suggests that 3,500 years of faithful biblical study have somehow missed this very important topic. Those familiar with the excruciatingly painstaking processes used by Israeli scribes have absolutely no doubt that the Hebrew Scriptures have been faithfully transmitted. That means God’s name was never in there. Nobody removed God’s name from the Hebrew Scriptures, so your suggestion that those verses are speaking of someone’s actual name, rather than their reputation, must be faulty. They can’t be instructions to remember God’s actual name, since we have no record of anyone – including those to whom the instructions were given – ever knowing it.

      I’m going to say something now that I hope you’ll take very seriously. I hope you’ll take it in the spirit in which I write it. No offense is meant. Are you ready?

      Give up.

      This isn’t a battle you can win. We don’t know God’s name and, barring a blockbuster archaeological find, we’re unlikely to learn it. You’re swimming upstream in a river going nowhere. What does success look like here? Even if you could convince millions of people that we should know and remember God’s actual personal name, we still wouldn’t know His name.

      When my father became a Christian in his 40’s, he read the Bible all the time. He studied it diligently, making charts of what he read and taking lots of notes. On the outside, he looked like a serious Bible student intent on learning to live as God intended. The sad reality is that he wasn’t eager to learn about God. He was looking for something new in the Bible…something that everybody else had missed. Our discussion reminds me of my father and his misguided flurry of activity.

      Our problem is not that we lack knowledge, but that we sometimes don’t act on the knowledge we have. Let me encourage you to invest yourself in efforts that will actually grow the Kingdom. The Holy Spirit equips every believer with spiritual gifts for building up the Body of Christ. I don’t know which gifts He’s given you, but I’m confident that you want to use them. Use them!

      Here’s the advice I give everyone. You may be working on these already. 1) If you’re not in a local group of believers, get into one. Make sure they’re intent on not just hearing God’s word, but doing it. Join them. You need them, and they need you. 2) Study the Bible to learn what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. Be one. 3) Help others do what you’ve done.

      I like you, Jaimie. I like your style. I don’t want to talk about this anymore because there’s no solution. We do not and cannot know God’s personal name, but we can help others understand who He is and how much He loves them. If you’d like to speak with me about how to go about that, I’m all ears.

      • Jaimie says:

        Hello Tony,

        I’m not quite sure how we got to this conclusion as the original post was about God the Son and not God the Father. I threw in the Father part as an aside as I feel they are equally important. The original post was titled “What does Jesus mean?” The first reply to that post concluded that the name “Jesus” actually meant nothing at all in English. I then asked the question: “If what was written here is true about the name Jesus having no English meaning at all, shouldn’t there be concern?” As the discussion continued I asked the same question a different way: “With respect to the Son, I’m saying that it is widely believed (I believe you also said you believe) that his name is really something other than Jesus and that if it had been translated/transliterated properly it would be closer to Joshua in English. In this case I’m asking why don’t we all use that name then or the actual one given if it can be determined?”

        I demonstrated through scripture that a name was given to the Son. I demonstrated that biblical scholars agree that His current name is not correct. I demonstrated that you concur with these findings. I demonstrated through scripture that names do in fact matter. Whether we say name, character, reputation, or memorial isn’t an issue as they are all linked and can’t be separated. With respect to the Father, I demonstrated through scripture that God said to not misuse his name. It was so important it is one of the 10 commandments!

        In the face of all of that it appears your position now is that I have aptly demonstrated the validity of my position, but because I cannot (at present) tell you with certainty what His name is that I should just give up…

        To be very clear, my position is that I know incredible odds for/against something are no match for God. Time and again in scripture we read how powerful He is and that tremendous odds can be overcome if we simply have faith in Him. Arks are built, great loss is overcome, giants are slain, seas are parted, and walls fall. Is it your position that these things are only things we read about and that they can no longer happen? 3500 years and many so called scholars are no match for Him either. I am not looking for anything new as you state nor am I misguided as you say your father was. I know God speaks to His children in this day and age. It astounds me that people can read the bible diligently, pray fervently, and live honorable lives, but at the mention of God actually speaking to them they go silent. Why is that? The first thing people do when someone claims God spoke to them is to run to scripture to compare notes as if it will validate the claim if it matches up well. Simply matching up with scripture is no proof that God actually spoke to anyone. It could just mean they are well versed in the bible. In addition, the absence of something from the bible does not automatically make it false. It does, however, need to be consistent with scripture. When the Messiah walked the earth there was no new testament. The scholars of the day thought Him to be blasphemous. They would claim He was not speaking for God and used the very scriptures we use today to make that claim. Please don’t think I’m saying that God will speak to someone and give them “new” information that the scriptures can’t support. I am saying though that He could give someone clearer understanding of what is actually there and He could give new information as well. I simply cannot put God in a box with expectations that He will act as “scholars” tell me He will or should.

        There are people who say that God wouldn’t allow the bible to be trifled with to the degree that would cause confusion or mislead people. Every time I hear that I shake my head because I often read parallel verses and refer to the Greek and Hebrew so that I can get the actual meaning being conveyed. I wouldn’t have to do this if all bibles were already in a form for me to do so. It is easy right now to be confused or mislead if people simply read any of the English versions of the bible without comparison or proper context. Do you concur with that assessment? I say all of that because the bible makes it pretty clear that God has allowed the devil wide latitude in this world. None of us are strong enough to deal with him without God. Not even the translators (not the original writers) of the bible.

        In conclusion, I will honor your request if you truly are done with this subject. I do not wish to push things on anyone. I’m a firm believer in showing people how to think instead of what to think. I believe you are well-intentioned and passionately believe what you believe. I respect that. Your advice is sound and I have been doing what you suggest (and more) for quite some time now. 🙂 I will leave you with this:

        Most believers I know or have heard (famous and ordinary) believe that God only speaks to us today through His word. They are very skeptical of people who claim God spoke to them. Here is a link to Billy Graham’s web page where a question was asked about God speaking to us.

        https://billygraham.org/answer/why-doesnt-god-talk-to-us-today-like-he-talked-to-people-back-in-bible-times/

        The answer is in line with what I’m saying. Has anyone stopped to consider that God may not be speaking to many “believers” today because they either forgot, don’t know, or refuse to use His name? This is what I think is at the center of why people do not want to discuss this or to find out the answer. Somehow I think they believe it calls into question what they believe. I know that God wants us to honor Him in all that we do and say. I know that one way to honor Him is to keep His name holy (actual name and reputation). Oddly enough I believe the reason people stopped speaking His name was a misguided attempt to not misuse it. If His name is never spoken, it would be impossible to misuse it. In any event, I wish you well my friend. My offer to chat via phone is always open if you choose to accept it.

        Respectfully,

        Jaimie

        • Talesh says:

          Jaime,

          Its amazing that when you read the word of God, it tells you about the person and then connects the name to the person. I don’t think Tony is saying that names are not important. What he is saying, is the person who is connected to the name makes the name. God the Father is God and is identified by who He is. “I am that I am”, “Ancient of Days”, “Alpha and Omega” etc.
          The feeling you get when you call on the name of Jesus is because the power you know that comes with the name, the Savior who is called Jesus. We are familiar with the name Jesus but if we knew him by Joseph then it would be no different. That name is not familiar to you though so it sounds weird. You recall the connection you have to what Jesus has done for you however, if you come across a coworker with the name Jesus would you all to worship him? You can know that name and not have any connection if there is no relationship to who this person is and what they have done for you.
          All in all what is most important is that we exemplify the behavior of our Savior Jesus, not Jesus the coworker, and that is how he will know us. My name is Talesh and I can do many great things but if I don’t love, forgive and show the other fruits that people can see I am rooted in Christ don’t manifest, then God will not know me.

  59. Jesus says:

    The original question was is there power in the name of
    Jesus .
    Your original answer is no.
    And then you went on to ramble about translations in different languages but if all Scripture is God breathed who’s answers wrong. Proof , I’m sure you’re looking for an argument …
    John 19:20
    When Jesus Christ was on the cross being crucified for your sins and mine it was written the king of the Jews … Who,ourSavior, in what languages did they write it in?
    Hebrew, Latin, and Greek
    ” I have written what I have written”( John 19:22) a.k.a it was no mistake! So it doesn’t matter which translation of the same name, it all translate the same,
    So guess what:
    ” there is power in the name of Jesus Christ ” (John 14:13)

    • Tony says:

      Jesus:

      You’ve misrepresented the facts. The original question was NOT whether there is power in Jesus’ name. The original question, which everyone can see by simply scrolling to the top of the page, is whether it’s true that saying Jesus’ name in a prayer means that the prayer will be answered.

      My original answer is reasonable and biblical and logical: speaking Jesus’ name does not make it more likely that God will give you what you pray for.

      Do you believe otherwise? If so, please provide Scriptural and logical support for why your belief is reasonable. Thanks!

      • Jesus says:

        Well I’m a little confused
        1. You called me tony but it’s Jesus
        2. I feel a tensions & an angry vibe but ok you wanted logic & scripture …
        John 14:13
        “… andI will do whatever you ask for in my name”
        v.14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”
        John 16:24
        “Until now you have asked nothing in my name,ask and you WILL receive…”
        But that isn’t enough I’m sure because then you get into
        the whole name translation…
        So there is no peace in your question?
        So I guess my question then would be; what is your problem with Jesus Christ?

        • Tony says:

          1. Read it carefully. I called you Jesus. =)
          2. There are no tensions, and no angry vibes. Your mind may be playing tricks on you.

          John 14:13 – Yes, that’s what it says. You seem to think that speaking Jesus’ name is the part that gets the prayer answered. It’s not. It’s the “I” part…you know, Jesus the person. There are basic rules of biblical interpretation that you seem unaware of. One of the most basic rules is that we don’t read meaning into a text, but read meaning out of a text. Instead of asking what a 21st century person would mean by “in my name” we need to understand what a 1st century person would mean. Jesus did not mean “speak my name and it will happen.” He meant – as every scholar will tell you – that we are to make our requests based on Jesus’ authority, which the Father gave Him. That is what “in my name” means. It does not mean that making specific sounds with your mouth gets your prayers answered.

          >> But that isn’t enough I’m sure because then you get into the whole name translation…

          Because it’s the person who answers prayer and not the name, there’s no need to talk about translations.

          >> So there is no peace in your question?

          I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean by this.

          >> So I guess my question then would be; what is your problem with Jesus Christ?

          Now who’s being combative? Take a look around the website, Jesus. I’ve spent years helping people trust Jesus Christ by answering their questions about the Bible. If I were the type of person who could be offended, I would definitely be offended by your question. If you persist in being so rude, I won’t persist in posting your comments.

        • June says:

          Jesus, you detect that Tony has a problem with Jesus and is covering it up here…he is in denial of his true feelings about Christ and His words? You could be right!! Let’s follow and see where he leads…

  60. firefly says:

    Another name by which Jesus is referred to is the Amen.

    Rev. 3:14
    And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
       These things saith the Amen.

    DYK that Amen-Ra was also the name of the anc. Egyptian sun god !?

    • Tony says:

      Alfred:

      >> DYK that Amen-Ra was also the name of the anc. Egyptian sun god !?

      Are you just pointing out that they sound similar? You can’t really be suggesting that the two words are related, can you?

  61. firefly says:

    Amun, Amin, Amen Egyptians name for th invisible God.  IDK, maybe someone can further enlighten.  Meantime:

    “Before Abraham was I Am”  i.e. th invisible God existed before th beginning but was known by diiferent names.  “A rose by any other name…”

    Mathew 9:15
       New International Version
    Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.

    Psalms 19:4
       New International Version
    Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.  (i.e. for the bridegroom?)

       To paraprase Jesus:  These things are written as parables.  They look and they look but They do not see.

       These things I do you can also do and even greater.

       Do not judge that may not bb judged

    • Tony says:

      Alfred:

      First, the two are entirely unrelated.

      Second, you’re taking Scripture out of context…changing the author’s meaning to fit your own ideas. This is not a good idea.

      Third, it’s easy to find similarities between deities. It’s informative to also note the differences, which is where you’ve missed the boat. Every deity is “invisible”. Not everything is a parable, or even symbolic.

      Finally, your quote about judging shows that you aren’t taking the text very seriously. When Jesus talked about not judging in Matthew 7:1, He was clearly talking about not judging self-righteously or hypocritically. Jesus was totally into judging. Look at how He talked about the Pharisees. That was pretty judgy. How about in John 7:24 when He said Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly”? There are a bunch of passages where we find Jesus judging, and teaching us how to judge rightly.

      Let me encourage you to take the time to look up a verse before you quote it. Take a moment and double-check that you’re quoting it accurately, and in context. Read the entire surrounding context to make sure you’re learning what the author meant, rather than picking verses that match your own ideas. If you’d like to learn more about how to properly interpret Scripture, I’d be happy to help.

      • Ti Ti B says:

        Tony, I have a question to pose you. And i understand this is huge. And may also seem like a very unthoughful question but here it is: What exactly is God as your knowledge compels you currently to state?

        Is God a being? A Spiritual Being? Is he the Word? And if so, is God an explanation? – An explanation of Life and how it works? Is God, Life? An idea? What is He??

        I am very much looking forward to read your reply as I get the impression from the way you write and therefore think, your phrasing, and, your logic, that you probably have some paint on the portait of What is God. Albeit the chance that it could just be a speckle!

        • Tony says:

          Ti Ti B:

          Good questions. I would say that God is the being that caused the universe to come into existence. The creator of the universe must be outside the universe and not part of it. Science tells us that all time and space and matter in the universe came into being at that point, so the creator of the universe must be timeless, spaceless, and immaterial. Because we know that ‘nothing is greater than its cause’, the creator of the universe must be more powerful than all of the power in the universe…and must contain more knowledge than all of the information in the universe as well. Because a decision to create the universe was needed (it wasn’t an automatic process), the creator must also be a person…only persons can make decisions.

          Logically speaking, God is all of that and more. As I study the various explanations and descriptions of God throughout history, I find none have the explanatory power that Christianity has. Each of the other systems breaks down at some point, but I don’t see Christianity breaking down. There’s a lot we don’t know, but at this point Christianity seems to be the best explanation.

          Let me know if you have questions about my description.
          What do you think God is?

  62. CGSouche says:

    Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place, and gave Him the name above all names,Philippians 2-9

    There is power in his name! In his name i have conquered many things in life, horrible things. This is why those who believe, really believe. Whatever we ask (and whatever means whatever) in his name to the father we will have it. These words were said by Jesus himself and it was given to THOSE who belong to him not to the rest of the world. So if you are of his you will believe it, if you aren’t his then you might never get anything. Things we ask must be aligned to the word of God. I have asked God many times for things and in HIS time i receive them and if i don’t get what i asked for i get something better!

    • Tony says:

      Thanks for visiting, CGSouche. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that you’ve thought this through. When we read “name” in the Bible, it doesn’t simply mean “someone’s name” like Tony or Susan. It could mean someone’s personal name, but it also means this:

      the name is used for everything which the name covers, everything the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing, remembering, the name, i.e. for one’s rank, authority, interests, pleasure, command, excellences, deeds etc. Blue Letter Bible

      Let’s look at Philippians 2:9. When did God give Jesus the name above all names? Clearly, it was after He was obedient. When God exalted Him and gave Him the name above all names, what name was it that God gave Him? It wasn’t Jesus…He had already been called by that name for His entire life. What name did Jesus suddenly have, that He hadn’t had before?

      Clearly, Philippians 2:9 isn’t talking about the name “Jesus”. It’s talking about God exalting Jesus so that His rank, authority, and reputation were higher than any other.

      As for there being power in His name, well…there’s no power inherent in the sounds jee-zus. Instead, Jesus has power. When we call on His name, we’re calling on Him to use the power and authority given Him by the Father to act on our behalf. If simply speaking His name had power, then anybody could say the name and accomplish things. That’s not how things work.

      I’m happy to hear that you’ve conquered many things in your life! Based on what you’ve written, I’m pleased to call you my sister in Christ.

  63. Talesh Sweetenberg says:

    It is power in the name of Jesus because of who it is connected to. We understand that this Jesus is the Messiah. There are many people named Jesus these days and Joseph in those day but this Jesus is the one who saves. This Jesus is Lord, this Jesus is our savior. So the power is in who he is and who he his is what gives the name power. So when you call on the name of Jesus, you must know who he is.

  64. Automotive says:

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  65. Yusuf Gisilambe Andrew Gangsa. says:

    Thank You much. Christ Religious Education Student from Nigeria.

  66. dark fantasy Music says:

    I know thi if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own weblog and was wondering what all is required to get setup?
    I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a retty penny?
    I’m not very internet savvy so I’m not 100% sure. Any recommendations or advice would be
    greatly appreciated. Appreciate it

    • Tony says:

      Yes, it’s off-topic. There are lots of ways to create your own website. I’m not just a blogger…I’m also a freelance web developer. Most websites don’t cost that much. Let me know if you’d like to talk business. In the meantime, is there anything I can do for you related to your relationship with God?

  67. Mike R says:

    The answer to whether there is power praying in the NAME Jesus must be yes and no I believe. Keep all your translations and transliterations and historical events as it all means nothing in the scheme of things. What does carry all credence here is not what we think or mean, its what Yahoshua meant that matters. Do you really think He means that if you SAY the word Jesus you have power in what you say? No no no, He means something totally away from this shallow thinking. So what does He mean when He says… pray in my name and you will get what you want!

    Well lets look at a little English meaning here. What does it mean when I knock on your door and say as a policeman ; ” Open up. I come in the name of the law?” It means I come in the “way” of the law. That is to say… you come with the authority of the law. Now how do you get that authority? By being good boys and girls and doing “as the law would have you do”… right? I mean could I be running a drug ring and still represent the law? Not in real terms right? So here is what Jesus is saying to you when He says “In My Name”. He is saying if you have the authority from Me, by doing as I do (righteousness) “The Way” and believe that I am who I am… then you will get what you want. Dont get too excited though… its a big ask to really follow Yahoshua/Jesus. Spiritually speaking it has to be this way, otherwise you will have all sorts of religious freaks screaming Jesus name to evict devils lol. And you know what the bible says about that right? Christ will not know them! The key in this saying of Yahoshua is “righteousness”. The prayers of the righteous availeth much.

    So the answer is yes if you have the authority, i.e obey His commandments…. and no if you dont. You must live in the “Way” of Christ to have this authority. So when He says “in my name” he means this… If you live a righteous life and believe I am who I am, then you can use this faith to move mountains.

    Grace and Peace to all.

  68. Dominic Leckie says:

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  69. justice says:

    This is clearly written by a devil, all of these is easily proven to be lies. There’s also many, many examples of Jesus Christ’s name the ONLY name with any power. You’ll pay for misleading people, devil.

    • Tony says:

      The idea that Jesus’ name has power of its own is magical thinking, not biblical thinking. Jesus (you know, God) has power, but speaking His name does not. That would give us the power, right? WE speak the name, WE get the result. That’s known as an incantation, and has no place in the life of a Jesus-follower.

      Okay, Justice. If these are all easily proven to be lies, prove it. You have time…it’s easy, right? I don’t at all mind you calling me a devil. I’ve been called that and much worse over the years, almost exclusively by people who twist Scripture to suit their own beliefs, rather than to form their beliefs from what Scripture actually says. If I’m misleading people, you now have the opportunity to correct the situation. Bring it.

  70. Iggy says:

    In the English translation they traded either God or Lord (Baal) almost everywhere the Hebrew or Aramaic scrolls said Jehovah. They put it in all caps ‘LORD’ so people might have a clue. The Americans insisted on having the real way to pronounce Jesus because we had been given so many bad interpretations before. They gave us Iesus in the first place but then they changed it after to Jesus. When He lives in your heart ❤ He guides you to the Truth.
    He came in His Father’s name. When Moses said to the israelites He is the I am. In Ancient Aramaic ‘I am’ would be pronounced ‘Gee’ or Je short for Jesus. What about all the biblical cities that start with G? So how can you say there wasn’t a J sound?
    I have no idea about how of your prayers are answered with your pronunciation but we witness miracles everyday in Jesus’s Name. And, you don’t have to take my word for that. There is proof all over Facebook even. Look for yourself.

    • Tony says:

      Iggy:

      Nonsense. The Americans didn’t insist on “the real way” to say Jesus. The real way to say Jesus is “Joshua” but, since saying the exact name in its original language in exactly the right way isn’t important, we say “Jesus.” With respect, there is no “Iesus.” There was “Jesu,” which comes from “Iesous,” which is Greek. Since what you say isn’t true, I must conclude that He does not yet live in your heart. I pray that you will know Him.

      No, “I am” is not pronounced “gee.” It’s pronounced “hayah.” That’s ha and ya. Hayah. Who told you this stuff? It’s ridiculous.

  71. Iggy says:

    June,
    I read the Bible all the way through 4 times when I was very young and I guess that gave me some different views of it’s interpretations than the chuch teachers and the pastors at my own church.
    But, I have researched for the real Name of God and of Jesus for most of my adult life. At one point, even believing that Jesus might be said as Jehoshua. I never believed the Y sound beginning I think that was Satan’s deception.
    But I think the biggest proof besides ‘I am’ being pronounced ‘Gee’ or ‘Je’ in Ancient Aramaic or Ancient Hebrew is the Native Americans oral traditions. All the different tribes believe that He came here. To some He didn’t give His Name He told them to call Him whatever they wanted to. To 2 tribes, though, who wouldn’t accept that, He told them His name was Gee-zooos. He took 12 disciples from each tribe and left with them to teach them. And, then He brought them back months later to teach the others, what they had learned.
    Another thing that convinced me, ‘Jesus’ was the right pronunciation, was when Jesus would say I am this and I am that, and people got so offended. Gee, Jesus, You were accused of blasphemy just by saying, I am Jesus.
    You had to be the Saint of all Saints to stay so humble.
    Thank You, Jesus for giving your life for all us sinners. Thank You for never giving up on us. Praise your Precious Name and guide those who will listen, and I, to the Truth. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

    • Tony says:

      Iggy:

      You have no idea what the “real Name of God” is. Nobody even knows if He has a name, let alone what it might be. Anybody who says otherwise is either 1) lying, 2) ignorant, or 3) trying to sell you something.

      Jesus’ Hebrew name is Yĕhowshuwa` which means “Jehovah is salvation.” It’s the same name as Moses’ right-hand man Joshua. Why do most Bibles say “Jesus” instead of “Joshua”? Simple: so no reader will confuse the Creator of the universe with the man who led the Israelites into the promised land. Jesus’ name is Joshua.

      To be honest, your comment is chock full of nonsense. It’s not true that all Native American tribes believe that Jesus came to North America. That’s ridiculous. We certainly don’t have any non-Mormon sources that claim to know what He supposedly did and said while He was here. What you’ve written is pure fantasy.

      Please: don’t take my word for it. Do your homework. Check things out. Be skeptical. Ask questions…hard questions. I hope that you will find the truth about who Jesus is, what He actually did, and what that means for you. Let me know how I can help.

  72. Iggy says:

    Tony, I’ve been researching ever since I’ve been on the internet. And, Jesus has lived in my heart. And, my subconscious picked up a lot of understanding from the Bible that consciously I wasn’t even aware of. “I am” in Ancient Aramaic or Ancient Hebrew was pronounced ‘G’ or Je short for Jesus. Jesus came in His Father’s Name, not Joshua’s name. And now, the only Way to the Father is through Him. I am aware that neither, you or I can ever be sure of, much less agree on, how words were spoken in ancient Aramaic. And, because oral story telling only stayed the same, if you kept speaking the same language. And I realize that is not how you say ‘I am’, now. And that the opinions differ. But, like the claim there never was a J sound, which can be disproved very easily, you can choose more wisely who not to listen to. I am not saying I am wise, but I have done my homework. Also, idk how many miracles you witness under Jehoshua or Yeshua. But I witness small miracles all the time praying in Jesus’ name. I guess it’s just one of my truth’s like Jesus living in my heart. Your truth’s can be whatever you would like. I try to keep my mind open.

    • Tony says:

      Iggy:

      With all due respect, I couldn’t care less about what your subconscious mind picked up. That’s not something I can verify with Scripture, logic, or history.

      “I AM” in Ancient Hebrew wasn’t pronounced “G.” That’s ridiculous. When we go to Exodus 3:1-15, here’s what it says:

      Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ “This is my name forever, the name you shall call me from generation to generation.

      The words “I am who I am” are, in Hebrew, hayah ‘asher hayah. Not “G.” When we say that Jesus came ‘in His Father’s name’ we don’t mean that He was called by the same name. We mean that He came because He was sent, as a direct representative, by the Father…and that He was given authority by the Father to do what He did.

      Again, with respect: maybe your mind is a little bit too open. Let me recommend that you study the Bible more carefully.

  73. Iggy says:

    Asa Delugie, War Chief of the Mescalero Apaches
    Zeahley Tso, Chief of the Navajo
    So-Sah-kuku, Chief Snake Priest of Oraibi

    “He Walked the Americas” by L Taylor Hansen
    , L. Taylor Hansen was a college student, spending her summer vacation with the Chippewa Indian tribe in Michigan. She was not a Mormon

    • Tony says:

      Iggy:

      Again, I couldn’t care less. Jesus lived and died in ancient Israel, and then went to Heaven. He didn’t take a detour to the Americas. You don’t have to be a Mormon to believe nonsense, or to write a book about nonsense. Give me FACTS that I can verify, not conjecture that contradicts Scripture.

  74. Iggy says:

    Tony, Yes, God has a Name He told it to Moses and the priests kept it behind their breastplates. That’s why Jesus’ came in His Father’s Name so His Father’s people would know He was the One, of the prophecy. But, the people didn’t believe that He was. They didn’t even like how many times He said “I am …” They thought that was blasphemy.

    • Tony says:

      Iggy:

      What is this name? Where can I read about it being behind breastplates? Come on: help us out. A lot of people come here, and we need more than just your word that this is true.

  75. Iggy says:

    Maybe if you cared more instead of less people wouldn’t have to do the research for you. Especially since you already did the story before the research. Here is some of the proof that you asked for, so that at least, I won’t sound like a false witness that you have vast amounts of wisdom, over….
    http://www.isawthelightministries.com/sacrednames.html

    “He said that HIS Name is JE as in Jesus, JE with us, GOD with us. JE is short for Jesus. In fact, many early New Testaments even abbreviated Jesus as “JE”.”

    However in the true Hebrew scriptures of Exo.3:14, it actually said:

    “EHJEH ASHER EHJEH”. (Pronounced I-JE Asher I-JE)

    Proof #1
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Am_that_I_Am

    Proof #2

    http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+3%3A14&version=CJB

    • Tony says:

      You’re funny. First you say your subconscious picked it up, then you say it’s something I could research. Which is it? I do appreciate the links, though. I care about those, since – to quote myself – that’s something I can verify with Scripture, logic, or history.

      It’s interesting that the article you cite begins with the assumption that knowing God’s name is important. Then the author writes over 18,000 words to explain. With my tongue firmly in my cheek, I say that it’s wonderful that this person took the time to unveil the mystery that God had so successfully hidden. Don’t you think that if it truly were important, God would make it plain? We wouldn’t need 18,000 words to establish something so important…He could do it with less than a dozen words if it mattered. The linguistics is fascinating, of course…but the point is largely moot.

      When you can explain why knowing God’s name is important, I’d be happy to revisit this. Until then, I find little value in it.

      I don’t know where you get your information, but I don’t find you to be a reliable source, Iggy. You say things like, “In Ancient Aramaic ‘I am’ would be pronounced ‘Gee’ or Je short for Jesus.” It’s pronounced ‘haw-yaw’ and it’s not “short for Jesus,” regardless of whether there’s a J sound in there. It’s not that you don’t anything…it’s that you jump to unwarranted conclusions. For the record, it’s also quite informative that you work to share your personal credentials:

      • You read the Bible all the way through 4 times when you were young.
      • You’ve done this research for most of your adult life.
      • You’ve been researching this ever since you got onto the internet.
      • Jesus lives in your heart.
      • Your subconscious picked up a lot of understanding.
      • You have done your homework.
      • You witness small miracles all the time.

      None of these things should carry any weight with anybody. Plenty of people have read the Bible multiple times and still been wrong about what’s in it. Having had these online conversations for almost 25 years, I can tell you story after story of people who have done a ton of research, but still were wrong. Nobody can see into your subconscious to determine whether you’re right. Do you get the point? I say this to you, just like I say it to everyone here again and again: don’t take my word for anything regarding truth about God. Do your own homework. Find the answers in the Bible. Check to make sure you’ve understood it properly…and double-check me to make sure I’m not wrong, too. Iggy, you undermine your own credibility by explaining why we should believe you, rather than explaining from the Scriptures why we should believe God.

      When you’re willing to use the Scriptures as the foundation for your claims about God, I’m all ears. You’re smart. You’re determined. You’re passionate. The only thing you lack is restraint. You seem willing to believe anything that sounds credible. You should be more skeptical, and require that your beliefs be based on what’s found in Scripture, on sound evidence, and on good logic. I wish you well, and hope that you take this message as it was intended.

  76. Iggy says:

    …”He drew His disciples away from the crowd. They said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” Jesus answered them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.”…
    Me listening to the Jesus in my heart, lead me to find out the correct pronunciation. Because if Jehovah created this diversity from Unity, then obviously some words are more powerful than others, Even how you pronounce the word matters.
    If you’re not interested and could care less and you talk to people, like me, the way that you do, makes the title GOD WORDS sound like blasphemy.
    Let me encourage you to invest yourself in efforts that will actually grow the Kingdom. Don’t talk to people like they’re second rate or below you. You even talk about your own biological father like he was below you. Is that RESPECT?
    You may be one of the ones not supposed to get it. ? That’s why you need everyone else to do your research for you.

    • Tony says:

      You’re making my point for me, Iggy. You claim to know things by personal inspiration. That’s fine. Maybe you do. You want other people to believe you, just because you say that Jesus tells you these things in your heart. That’s not good enough. Nobody should believe you just because you say you’re right. There are numerous places in the New Testament that teach us to look at the evidence, not to just take someone’s word for anything. Here’s a great example for all to follow:

      Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

      I’ve been asking you, and many others, for Scriptural evidence that what you believe about God is true. You know, so the rest of us can do our homework and learn the same amazing things you claim to know. That’s a good idea, don’t you think? Instead, you puff yourself up and suggest that you’re some kind of authority, that we should just believe you because you’re special, and that Jesus tells you things like how to properly pronounce ancient words. I’d like to be gentle and unassuming with everybody who comments here, but sometimes a strong rebuke is in order. That’s biblical too. Simply put, you’re out of order. Not because you disagree with me (far from it), but because you refuse to produce evidence that would convince any open-minded Bible student that you’re right. Perhaps it’s time you moved on. Again, and always, I wish you well.

  77. Nancy says:

    Hi Tony, I appreciate stumbling on this thread today. Some of the problems here are caused by a lack of reading comprehension. I had to look over your original statements more than once to grasp your point. It shocked me at first because I’ve believed there is power in Jesus’ name. You make a spiritually healthy observation in that of course, it is God who is in control and we have no magic words to sway Him. if you do not mind, I would appreciate you taking the time to help me out. When I use the name of Jesus in prayer, is that not powerful because God said it is? I mean, it is not the letters or language, but the use of the name God has embued with extra meaning? I love God (imperfectly) and desire to honor Him and use His Word rightly. With that said, what about John 15:16? The condition here to receiving anything from God is to bear fruit that will last. God has kindly used little ol’ me to spread His gospel in large and small places. People are saved. That is one kind of fruit that will last. So, having met the condition (not in my power!) and believing the promise of verse 16, I asked God in Jesus’ name to heal me of an incurable disease, and He did- right on the spot. This has since been affirmed by medical testing. I am not confused that a simple word brought about a magical healing. It was God completely. However, didn’t use of the name of Jesus have something to do with it because God said it would? Thank you so much.

    • Tony says:

      Nancy:

      The topic does require some thought… we’re talking about words, using words. It can become complicated. I’ll try to simplify it.

      Words have no direct spiritual power. If they did, unbelievers could use the same words as believers and get the same result. Jesus said that some would claim His name but not belong to Him… so it’s not what we say that makes spiritual things happen.

      Belief has no direct spiritual power. Even demons believe, but nobody would say that they pray to God in Jesus’ name and get spiritual results.

      The name “Jesus” has no spiritual power. Jesus’ name is actually “Joshua.” It’s the same word in Hebrew. If the name had any power of its own, we could pray in Joshua’s name and get spiritual results. That’s silly, isn’t it?

      God has power. When we pray, we’re not using our own power to accomplish things. We’re not using the power of words, or the power of belief. We’re not using the power of the word “Jesus” or “Joshua” or Yeshua. We’re asking God to use HIS POWER on our behalf.

      When we pray in Jesus’ name, we’re not using His name to do spiritual things. The name doesn’t do anything. We’re praying to the Father, pointing out that we belong to Him because of what Jesus did for us, asking Him to do something because of our relationship to Him. God is not obligated to do what we ask, of course… if He was, the power would be ours. It’s not. The power is all His, and we make our requests with humility. It’s as if we’re saying, “Father, you know that we belong to You because of Jesus. We believe what Jesus taught and, in keeping with what Jesus taught, we ask you to do this, or that.” Praying in Jesus’ name isn’t magic, where you get what you ask for because you say the right words. We only get what we ask for when we pray in accordance with God’s will.

      Does that make sense? The words we use to talk about these things can be confusing. It’s all about where the power comes from. Many sincere believers act like their prayers are supposed to do something because they follow a specific formula. That’s nonsense. Prayer requests appeal to God for favor, trusting that He knows best how to answer. We have no power in this area, and we live with what God wisely decides. I’m very happy to hear that God healed you. What a blessing!

      Let me know if you have any more questions. I hope you have a great day!

      • APerspective says:

        Tony, and all who can suffer through this long perspective of a humble somebody… there is so much debate over the power of words or lack there of. Let me make it easy for everyone. I love you all! To explain a bit better: I think its important to state that if there is power in words, and there may be, most people would refer to that as spells and curses. But what are we doing when we pray?….. The importance is where the words are directed nd come from…and thats where faith or belief comes in. I think the power of words, however powerful they are, doesn’t compare to the power of belief. And, if one who recognizes and acknowledges The Great Creator, is in a position of any kind, and chooses to use his voice to call on the Holy Creator, it would be the power of belief in the Creator, and not the words themselves, that impact the perception of life at that moment, if there is an impact. I think ppl look at the surface too much in some areas and dig too deep in others. We try too hard to figure out something we can’t even perceive till we have lived. If your using a device to read this you haven’t lived. Whatever is or ain’t beyond this reality as well The Creator, you will only UNDERstand while livING or by use of words. Once you complete the process, and have actually lived, only then can you OVERstand this reality and maybe even some of whatever is beyond it. The Creator or God is in everyone and everything. We are probably closer to The Creator without words and with our eyes closed, sitting in the middle of an empty cornfield or the forest, doing nothing! The Bible shouldn’t be taken literally or not literally. That’s not saying things stated in the Bible arent literal facts. But another clearly isn’t and wasn’t meant to be. Its a book full of mystery as is states. The focus should be on the life principals stated within. I believe it comes down to one thing that is getting away from us all. God is Love and is in all of us and everything. He is in us and knows our hearts. We need to Love! And love unconditionally! Love for mankind near and far. Love for nature and all it provides. Love for family and friends. Love for those who seem unlovable. Your enemies even. The toughest one, and the one I struggle with the most, is love for thyself. Love is the most natural feeling and everything good is from it. Yet today we are further from it than ever. This universe was created by the Highest of High but it is the evil ones playground! (Refer to the book of Job.) We also need to recognize and realize that the more you try to make sense of senselessness the further from sense you get. Look, Science has indeed proven we were created. If anyone doesn’t know that then stop watching TV. The more scientist try to disprove creation, and prove otherwise, the more they realize its not a question anymore. (Refer to chromosome 2, nature didn’t do it! Science told me that). Back to words. Yes everyone needs to talk to our Creator as much as humanly possible. You don’t have to fold your hands and pray on your knees or even say Amen at the end. You can talk to God anywhere, anytime.. It doesn’t matter how you refer the Great Creator as long as you recognize where your thoughts or words are directed and coming from. Those thoughts shouldn’t be thoughts of the brain. If you truly want this Highest Power to answer you and truly be amazed at how you can recognize the answer… you must talk to The Creator (God) from your Heart-mind. Don’t be shy(another thing i struggle with), or impractical, or vague, or dare ask for anything that isn’t God’s Will. Now, remember, Love is God’s Will. Ask with your heart-mind means you know why you are asking and that you’ve recognized in your mind that your asking from your heart. Your intentions are pure and out of Love (God’s Will.) You ask with passion for anything that is out of love for humanity, for nature, for family, for friend or foe, or out of love for yourself. Thats right love thyself but only in the most humble of ways. Think….if you ask out of love, and God, our Great Creator, Holyest of Holys, The Highest of Powers, is love….then you have asked in his name. No matter how important words may be….the belief that Pure, Humble, and Unconditional Love is the way to Eternal Peace is what is the most important. If your still reading Tony and anyone else who would actually read this far im telling you that I struggle everyday as a sinner. I believe I’m nearly the worst of the worst. Im trying to forgive myself and maybe you are too. This is so important so find a way. God is in everyone so forgiving yourself is like asking God to forgive you and thats probably why its so hard. It has to be from your heart… pure and humble. So humble. Ask,seek,knock! Humbly, with passion, for the the good of life, with love! If your reading this i love you and I’m grateful for you! Thank you Holy Creator for all of us!

        • Tony says:

          APerspective:

          Wow, that’s a lot. I don’t want to nitpick, or to argue with you, but I do want to respond. I’m not at all sure that you and I are talking about the same God. Maybe we are, maybe we’re not. I take it from your comment about struggling every day with sin that you’re not a mature follower of Jesus. I’ve been there, of course. I also take it, from the nature of your comments, that you’re not all that familiar with the contents of the Bible.

          As a result, my responses may seem more argumentative than they really are. If we’re talking about the God of the Bible, it seems you’re somewhat right and somewhat not. If you’re talking about some other god, my responses may not even make sense.

          >> The Creator or God is in everyone and everything.

          Not even close. This doesn’t describe the God of the Bible at all. What you describe is known as panentheism… pan (all) en (in) theism (god). The Bible describes God as the creator of everything, but in no sense suggests that God is IN everything. Instead, throughout all of Scripture, a strong distinction is made between the Creator and the creation. We are not God, we are not all in God, God is not in all of us, and so on. What you describe is absolutely foreign to Christianity.

          >> We are probably closer to The Creator without words and with our eyes closed, sitting in the middle of an empty cornfield or the forest, doing nothing!

          Are we? From where do you get this idea? It certainly doesn’t come from God’s revelation of Himself. If, as you say, God is in everything, there can be no sense in the idea that being ‘out in nature’ brings us closer to Him. Wouldn’t one place be as good as another? Maybe you mean “closer” as in “more in touch with.” That also makes little sense, as our location appears to be irrelevant. Certainly the New Testament never describes anyone, including Jesus, as ‘doing nothing’ to be close to God.

          >> The Bible shouldn’t be taken literally or not literally. That’s not saying things stated in the Bible arent literal facts. But another clearly isn’t and wasn’t meant to be. Its a book full of mystery as is states.

          The Bible either is, or is not, true. If it’s true – and I’ve become convinced that it is – then the words written in it are important, and should be treated that way. Nobody can read the Bible with anything like an open mind and come away believing that they writers didn’t intend for us to take what they wrote in a literal sense. Yes, the word ‘mystery’ appears in there… but that doesn’t suggest an ongoing mystery. The mystery was that God’s plan for humanity was largely hidden until Jesus came. Now that He has come, God’s plan is there for all to see. The only mystery left is the ignorance that remains in the minds of those who don’t know who Jesus is, and what He did, and why.

          >> The focus should be on the life principals stated within.

          Again, maybe we’re not talking about the God of the Bible. Your words sound good, and I would use them in certain situations… but the focus of the Bible is God Himself. All of the words in the Bible are designed to bring us to Him… not to teach us important life principles, but to help us to trust Him with our lives. Certainly our desire to cooperate with the Creator of the universe will teach us life principles, but that’s not the point. The point is for us to be reconciled to God, to be transformed by Him, and to be with Him forever.

          >> We need to Love! And love unconditionally! Love for mankind near and far. Love for nature and all it provides. Love for family and friends. Love for those who seem unlovable. Your enemies even. The toughest one, and the one I struggle with the most, is love for thyself.

          This isn’t off the mark at all. We do need to love as you’ve described. God IS love. We should follow His example and love as He loves.

          >> Love is the most natural feeling and everything good is from it.
          >> Yet today we are further from it than ever.

          These two statements seem a bit contradictory. Maybe I’ve misunderstood you. Is loving natural, or unnatural? How can we be far from it if it’s not actually difficult and uncommon?

          >> This universe was created by the Highest of High but it is the evil ones playground! (Refer to the book of Job.)

          Let me encourage you to reread the beginning of the book of Job. This is not the evil one’s playground. God did not give the devil carte blanche to go and do whatever he wanted. He could only do what God allowed. Yes, the evil one IS dangerous… but let’s not pretend that he has free rein. God is in control even of those who oppose Him.

          >> We also need to recognize and realize that the more you try to make sense of senselessness the further from sense you get.

          This sounds a bit like parts of Zen Buddhism, where there’s nothing wrong with contradictions. That’s the opposite of biblical truth, as two things can’t be true and contradict one another. There are no senseless things in the Bible. Everything has an explanation, even if we don’t know the explanation ourselves. Mysteries and senselessness are nothing more than evidence of our ignorance.

          >> You can talk to God anywhere, anytime.

          Yes!

          >> Those thoughts shouldn’t be thoughts of the brain.

          What other kinds of thoughts are there?

          >> you must talk to The Creator (God) from your Heart-mind.

          Ah. I see. This is an entirely made-up idea. There’s no such thing, of course. We have a mind. When the Bible speaks of the heart, it’s talking about the mind, but not simply the logical expressions of the mind. It’s talking about the whole of us… our thoughts, our will, and our emotions. There’s no sense in which the heart and mind are actually separate.

          >> the belief that Pure, Humble, and Unconditional Love is the way to Eternal Peace is what is the most important.

          Again, we don’t seem to be talking about the same God. The Bible describes how to have peace, and that peace is a by-product of a right relationship with God. It’s the result of our goal, and not the goal itself. If we seek peace, we will not find it. If we seek God, we will have peace.

          >> Im trying to forgive myself and maybe you are too. This is so important so find a way.

          My heart goes out to you, my friend. It sounds to me like you’re not fully convinced that God has forgiven you. After all: when we sin, it’s GOD we have wronged. It’s His forgiveness we need. When we accept His forgiveness, we can let go of our past. It’s okay to continue regretting our failures, but when we continually struggle over past sins, it’s usually because we don’t truly believe that Jesus’ death applies to us. It’s as if we need to keep punishing ourselves. We don’t. We need to accept that the One we’ve sinned against has forgiven us, and wants to be reconciled. Recognize that no amount of shame or guilt or restitution will undo what we’ve done. When we accept His gracious offer of forgiveness, we will be sufficiently humbled.

          Are we talking about the God of the Bible? If so, let me encourage you: you’re headed in the right direction. Read more of the New Testament. Ask God to help you understand it. If you’re talking about some other supposed divine being, let me suggest that your struggles may be coming from this confusion. The God of the Bible is not the author of confusion. His message is simple. His offer is universal… but you have to take it. If you haven’t been born again as Jesus explained, you should ask Him to make you new. It’s the best thing ever!

          Let me know if there’s some way I can help you with this, my friend. I would love to be able to also call you my brother.

  78. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_(name) <— Do you really think God cares about the whole debate going on here and weather it's Jesus , Joshua YESHUA, or Y’shua, or Yehosua. He knows who you're referring to . So if I call on the name of Jesus , meaning I am calling on the one who died and rose again and I believe , I will be saved. Jesus does mean God saves because that's what people believe it means. Jesus is the translated name of YESHUA, or Y’shua, or Yehosua into English. God isn't stupid , he knows who we are referring to. And it it's translated then so is it's meaning. You can't have the one without the other because it refers to the Son of man who died on the cross and rose again for our sin. So For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” So simply to say Jesus and knowing who you're referring to will save you. And don't say otherwise , because there are people who believe this. Jesus means God Saves. End of Story. Stop confusing people !

    • Tony says:

      Nicholas:

      I’m not sure who you’re writing to, but yes: confusion isn’t helpful at all. I think you and I are on the same page. The problem is that a LOT of people have been taught that saying the wrong name means nothing happens, or that you’re worshipping a false god, or whatever. It’s something I’ve had to deal with for 25 years on the internet. It’s essentially a belief in magic… if you get the incantation right, you win. If you get the incantation wrong, either nothing happens or you’re in danger.

      Unfortunately, it’s not enough to tell someone their idea is bad. We have to show them, and for that we need Scripture to go with our common sense and logic. I applaud you for your website, by the way. Have a great day!

  79. Kristi Kay says:

    I wasn’t going to comment on this, but nearly two months have gone by since I first read this and I cannot stop thinking about it. While I agree with a majority of your teaching, this one I have to speak up on.

    There is ABSOLUTELY without a doubt, power in the name of Jesus. There are several biblical references to prove this. Personally, I have been spiritually attacked in my dreams since giving my life to Jesus. Horrendous dreams where I am being suffocated and could feel long claws going up my nose, sleep paralysis while in a circle and could hear growling and feel the darkness, an incubus disguised as holy because it was dressed in all white, demon possession…you name it. The ONLY way I am able to wake up is by commanding in the name of JESUS, for the demons to leave. And it hasn’t failed me. The dream where I was under sleep paralysis and nothing helped except proclaiming (in my mind) because I couldn’t physically speak was “In the name of Jesus Christ, I command you to leave!” slowly, I felt my body come alive again and slowly I woke up. THAT nightmare showed me the power that is found in the mighty name of JESUS. Demons are subject to us in the name of Jesus! Demons flee at the name of Jesus.

    Were it not for the Bible verses that clearly state the power in His name, I probably would’ve let this go, but cannot.

    “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 the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11

    “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.”
    Luke 10:17

    “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
    Romans 10:13

    “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”
    1 Corinthians 6:11

    “If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.”
    John 14:14

    “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.”
    Acts 2:38

    This is not to say that his name is more powerful than he. But clearly, the name of Jesus Christ is powerful because of who he is. All authority on heaven and on earth has been given to him. We are washed away of sin and filth because of the blood (which is also very powerful) and because of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

    • Tony says:

      Kristi:

      Thanks for writing. I appreciate it! I’m sorry to hear about your difficulties.

      If you don’t mind, let me ask you a VERY SPECIFIC QUESTION: why do the demons flee? Is it because they hear “Jesus” and are forced to flee because someone said His name, or is it because you reached out to Jesus and HE caused the demons to flee?

      You see, one is like magic. The other is like Christianity. They’re not at all the same. In magic, YOU have the power. YOU say the incantation, and – like a science experiment – you get the results if you do it right. Do YOU have the power to make demons flee, simply by reciting “jee” and “zus” together? I’m not making light of what you’re saying, my friend. I’m trying to think clearly about it all.

      If Jesus has the power, and He’s making the demons flee because you asked for help, then that matches what I see in the Bible. If you have the power, that’s something different. I’m asking for clarification. Is it the power of the name, or the power of the person, that makes demons flee? What happens when someone can’t speak? Are they out of luck, or is just THINKING Jesus’ name enough? Jesus doesn’t need to hear His name spoken aloud before He can help us. Can demons read your mind, and “hear” you THINKING Jesus’ name, and flee?

      You see, it’s one thing to tell your own story. I’m in no position to dispute what you’ve claimed. It’s another thing to tell people “this is how it works.” At that point, your ideas are fair game. As I see it, speaking “Jesus” has no more power than speaking “Tony” or “Kristi.” It’s not magic. Speaking TO Jesus and asking for help is a good idea, because HE has the power to do what we ask.

      What do you say? Can you provide any personal insights into the questions above? I really do appreciate you jumping into the conversation!

      • Kristi says:

        I see what you mean. I certainly don’t hold an iota of power and the demons fled because of who HE is. I guess it does sound more like magic when giving power to the name/word and not the person.

        I’m not sure what would happen if a person unable to speak, were in my situation. However, with sleep paralysis, I was unable to speak and literally had to think it and ask Jesus for help in my mind, so I’m guessing it would be similar to that. Can demons read my mind, and/or thoughts? No. Only God has that ability. The enemy wishes he were omniscient. In the book of Job, we learn that he can’t read our thoughts or know our minds, therefore neither can his minions. If he had that ability, he would’ve known right off the bat that Job would never curse the Almighty Elohim.

        Thank you for your perspective and making me think more clearly about my previous statement. I have such a zeal for my Lord and Savior and everything that He is. I do enjoy the healthy exchanges on Bible topics and look forward to more on your site. God bless you, Tony!

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