The Significance of the Name
In the Old Testament, God progressively revealed Himself through names that described His covenant relationship with His people. In the New Testament, those revelations are fulfilled in one name.Isaiah 9:6
Matthew 1:21"And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
The name Jesus (Hebrew: Yeshua) means "Jehovah is salvation" or "Jehovah saves.""And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins."
Jehovah's Names Fulfilled in Jesus
| Jehovah Revealed | Old Testament | Fulfilled in Jesus |
|---|---|---|
| Jehovah-Jireh – The LORD Will Provide | Genesis 22:14 | Jesus is God's provided sacrifice (John 3:16; Romans 8:32) |
| Jehovah-Rapha – The LORD Who Heals | Exodus 15:26 | Jesus healed the sick and forgave sins (Matthew 8:16-17; 1 Peter 2:24) |
| Jehovah-Nissi – The LORD Our Banner | Exodus 17:15 | Jesus is lifted up drawing all men (John 12:32) |
| Jehovah-Shalom – The LORD Our Peace | Judges 6:24 | Jesus is our peace (Ephesians 2:14) |
| Jehovah-Rohi – The LORD My Shepherd | Psalm 23:1 | Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd." (John 10:11) |
| Jehovah-Tsidkenu – The LORD Our Righteousness | Jeremiah 23:6 | Jesus became our righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30) |
| Jehovah-Shammah – The LORD Is There | Ezekiel 48:35 | Jesus is "God with us" (Matthew 1:23); His Spirit dwells in believers (John 14:16-18) |
| Jehovah-Sabaoth – LORD of Hosts | 1 Samuel 1:3 | Jesus commands the armies of heaven (Revelation 19:11-16) |
| Jehovah-Mekoddishkem – The LORD Who Sanctifies | Exodus 31:13 | Jesus sanctifies His church (Hebrews 10:10) |
The Progressive Revelation of God's Name
God revealed Himself as "I AM"
Exodus 3:14When Jesus declared:"I AM THAT I AM."
John 8:58
The Jews immediately understood He was identifying Himself with the God who spoke to Moses."Before Abraham was, I am."
Joel's Prophecy
Joel 2:32Peter applies this to Jesus."Whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered."
Acts 2:21
Paul likewise quotes Joel concerning Jesus."Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Romans 10:9-13
Paul concludes:
The "Lord" in Paul's argument is Jesus Christ."For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
The One Saving Name
The Old Testament repeatedly speaks of salvation coming through Jehovah.The New Testament reveals the saving name by which Jehovah's salvation is administered.
Acts 4:12
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
Every Divine Work Is Done in Jesus' Name
The apostles consistently carried out God's covenant work in the name of Jesus.Baptism
Acts 2:38Acts 8:16
Acts 10:48
Acts 19:5
Acts 22:16
Healing
Acts 3:6"In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk."
Miracles
Acts 4:10Acts 16:18
Forgiveness
Luke 24:47"...repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name..."
Prayer
John 14:13-14"...whatsoever ye shall ask in my name..."
Gathering
Matthew 18:20"Where two or three are gathered together in my name..."
Preaching
Mark 16:17Acts 9:15
The Name Above Every Name
Philippians 2:9-11Paul echoes Isaiah 45:23, where Jehovah declared:"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...
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord..."
The honor Jehovah declared for Himself is shown to Jesus."Unto me every knee shall bow..."
The Fulfillment of the Covenant Name
Throughout the Old Testament, God progressively revealed Himself through titles such as Jehovah-Jireh, Jehovah-Rapha, Jehovah-Shalom, and Jehovah-Rohi. Each name revealed one aspect of His covenant relationship with His people. The New Testament presents Jesus as the complete fulfillment of those revelations. He is the sacrifice God provides, the healer, the shepherd, the giver of peace, the source of righteousness, the sanctifier, and "God with us."This helps explain why the apostles consistently centered their ministry on the name of Jesus. They preached repentance in His name (Luke 24:47), healed in His name (Acts 3:6), water baptized in His name (Acts 2:38; 10:48; 19:5), and proclaimed that salvation is found in no other name (Acts 4:12). The New Testament presents the name of Jesus not as a departure from the revelation of Jehovah, but as its fulfillment—the revealed covenant name through which God's saving work is made known under the New Covenant.
The Old Testament progressively reveals who Jehovah is through many covenant names. The New Testament reveals that all the fullness of God is manifested in Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:9), and that the saving power, authority, and covenant promises associated with Jehovah are exercised in the name of Jesus, the name that means "Jehovah saves."