New Testament Sacred Names

Fred R. Coulter

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Through the years, the question comes up: Should Christians today use the sacred names of the Old Testament?

Many people believe that we should. Many people claim that if you do not worship God with the sacred names you have no salvation. Is that true? Is there a place in the Bible that tells us we are to use the sacred names? Yes! But not the sacred names that people think!

Psa. 138 talks about worship, and it talks about the name of God. But let's see what it says and analyze various things and we will see whether or not we are obligated to use sacred names.

{Note sermon series: Names of God (truthofgod.org) We cover going through The Names of God in Holy Scripture by Andrew Jukes}

Psalm 138:1: "I will praise You with my whole heart; before the gods I will sing praise to You. I will worship toward Your Holy temple, and praise Your name for Your loving kindness, and for Your Truth; for You have magnified above all, Your name and Your Word" (vs 1-2).

So, even God says that His Word is more important than His name. We need to understand that.

Isa. 66 tells us to whom God looks, and it verifies what we found in Psa. 138. This is also a very important thing for us to understand.

Isaiah 66:1: "Thus says the LORD, 'The heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool. Where then is the house that you build for Me?….'" The house that God is building is within us!

…And where is the place of My rest? For all these things My hand has made, and these things came to be,' says the LORD. 'But to this one I will look, to him who is of a poor and contrite spirit and who trembles at My Word" (vs 1-2).

Notice that not one place here have we read that you are obligated to use sacred names. The attitude is the most important!

Let's also understand that the sacred names they say that should be used comes from the Hebrew YHVH or YHWH, pronounced: Yahwah, Yahweh, Jehovah, and a shortened version: JA.

As a matter of fact, there are some English Bibles that have been produced that substitute the name The Lord with Yahweh or Jehovah.

If you have to pronounce it rightly as a key to having access to God. What do you do if you have an accent. One of the leaders of a sacred name church is in Texas, and he says Yaaaway with a Texas accent. What if it is Jehovah?

Let's look at some things here and what we're going to discover concerning this. Jesus Himself was the Lord God of the Old Testament, the One Who was called Jehovah. Nowhere in the New Testament is it recorded that Jesus used those sacred names. Nor was it required of the disciples to do so to Him.

Another thing that is important that you'll find in the New Testament that the New Testament was originally written in Greek. {Note Commentaries in The Holy Bible in Its Original Order, A Faithful Version—afaithfulversion.org} We'll see that's very important a little bit later on.

We've covered Luke 24 before, but like every other Scripture, there are many things we can learn from the same Scripture, as we come back to it again and again.

Luke 24:44: "And He said to them, 'These are the words that I spoke to you when I was yet with you, that all the things which were written concerning Me in the Law of Moses and in the Prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.'"

All here means everything—first coming, second coming, crucifixion, resurrection, building of the Church—all things!

What does the also tell us? Jesus Christ interprets the Law, the Prophets and the Writings!

Here's something that's important for us to understand, which I've mentioned many times in the past and will also in the future: When the Bible is put in its correct order, the fourth middle part—you have the Law, the Prophets, the Writings—is the Gospel and Acts; that is the middle portion of the Bible.

The Old Testament points to the coming of the Messiah, and the Gospels and Acts tells about the Messiah. Then we have the General Epistles, the Epistles of Paul and the book of Revelation, which tells us the fulfilling of the plan of God. So, we have everything in the Old Testament interpreted by the New Testament.

Verse 45: "Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures." Then He talks about the necessity for Christ to suffer and rise from the dead the third day.

Let's carry this a little bit further; let's do a little bit of research. When Moses asked God

Exodus 3:13: "And Moses said to God, 'Behold, when I come to the children of Israel, and shall say to them, "The God of your fathers has sent me to you," and they shall say to me, "What is His name?" What shall I say to them?' And God said to Moses, 'I AM THAT I AM.'…." (vs 13-14).

{note sermon I AM That I AM} I AM is very important.

"…And He said, 'Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, "I AM has sent me to you."' And God said to Moses again, 'You shall say this to the children of Israel, "The LORD 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, and this is My title from generation to generation."'" (vs 14-15). What name is that? I AM THAT I AM!

In the New Testament you will find—especially in the book of John—Jesus uses that phrase I AM verifying that He was the very One Who spoke to Moses.

Let's see something really kind of astonishing;
Exodus 6:1: "And the LORD said to Moses, 'Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh; for with a strong hand he shall let them go, and with a strong hand he shall drive them out of his land.' And God spoke to Moses, and said to him, 'I am the LORD…. [Hebrew YHVH—Yahweh, Yahwah or Jehovah] …And I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty. But I was not known to them by My name JEHOVAH " (vs 1-3)—that's important.

Galatians 3:7 [transcriber's correction]: "…you should understand that those who are of faith are the true sons of Abraham." Abraham was the father of the faithful!

If he did not know God by Yahweh or Jehovah, and that name is necessary for salvation, and God didn't even reveal it to Abraham, pray tell, how is he going to be saved?

Exodus 6:4: "And I have also established My covenant with them…" What was the covenant name for Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? God Almighty!

"…to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, in which they were strangers" (v 4). So, they didn't know.'

Let's see where the name God Almighty was used by God Himself to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. When Moses wrote this, the word translated the LORD comes from YHVH, but Moses wrote it so that everyone would know that the LORD God Almighty was also the One Who had the covenant name with Israel. This is what's important to understand.

The covenant name with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was God Almighty or the Almighty God. The covenant name with Israel was YHVH. The covenant with Israel was not a covenant unto salvation. But the covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was a covenant unto salvation.

Here's a key thing: If the covenant with Israel was not unto salvation, how can you be saved by using that name? Not many people have thought of that!

Genesis 17:1: "And when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, 'I am the Almighty God! Walk before Me and be perfect.'"

Matthew 5:48: "Therefore, you shall be perfect, even as your Father Who is in heaven is perfect."

Through the whole book of Job, God is called the Almighty! As a matter of fact, the Almighty God is used more times in the book of Job than any other book in the Old Testament. That also dates the book of Job.

Genesis 28:1: "Then Isaac called Jacob and blessed him, and commanded him. And he said to him, 'You shall not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan. Arise, go to Padan Aram, to the house of Bethuel your mother's father. And take a wife from there of the daughters of Laban your mother's brother. And may God Almighty bless you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, so that you may be a multitude of people'" (vs 1-3).

Genesis 48:2—here is Jacob just before he blesses Ephraim and Manasseh: "And one spoke to Jacob, and said, 'Behold, your son Joseph comes to you.' And Israel strengthened himself and sat upon the bed…."—just before he was ready to die; this is the way to go. He said, 'Behold, I die,' and pulled up his feet and pulled them into bed and died (Gen. 49:33).

Verse 3: "And Jacob said to Joseph, 'God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me.'" Then Jacob adopts. It's very interesting when you understand that when Jacob brought Ephraim and Manasseh between his knees, that was a sign of official adoption.

When we come to the New Testament we will see what Jesus concerning this very verse, Psalm 110:1: "The LORD… [YHVH] …said unto my Lord…" The Jews changed YHVH to read 'Adonai' so they would not show two Jehovahs in the Psalms.

• Article: The Two Jehovahs of the Psalms: The Scriptural Evidence of the Duality of God by Carl Franklin (truthofGod.org)
• Sermons: Debunking the Myths of the Sacred Namers #s 1-2 (Carl Franklin) (truthofGod.org)

We have a lot of material for you, but nevertheless, this keeps coming up.

"…'Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies as Your footstool.'" (v 1).

Let's see where Jesus quoted this, and let's see what He inspired it to be written in, how YHVH written in the New Testament where Matthew is quoting Jesus:

Matthew 22:41: "While the Pharisees were assembled together, Jesus questioned them, saying, 'What do you think concerning the Christ? Whose son is He?' They said to Him, 'The Son of David.' He said to them, 'How then does David in spirit call Him Lord, saying, "The LORD said to my Lord, 'Sit at My right hand, until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet'"?'" (vs 41-44). We just read that! In the Greek the first LORD is 'kurios' and so is the second Lord 'kurios.'

Who was Matthew? A Levite! In writing this, do you suppose that a Levite understood Hebrew? Of course, because he had to read the Scriptures from the scrolls! If it were required to use sacred names here, would Matthew not have used it? Of course he would have! But he didn't!

There are some who claim that Matthew was originally written in Hebrew and later translated into Greek. No so! That is not true! What about the Apostle Paul? Let's see what he did, and let's refresh our memory on who the Apostle Paul was. He was 'a Pharisee of Pharisees.'

• Did he read the Old Testament in Hebrew? Of course he did!
• Did he know the Hebrew language? Yes, he did!

We're going to see right here he knew it, without a doubt! This is when the Jews came at him and wanted to kill him. He was rescued by the Roman soldiers and then he asked the Centurion if he could speak to them.

Acts 21:40: "And after receiving permission from him, Paul stood on the stairs and motioned with his hand to the people; and when there was great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying":

Acts 22:1: "'Men, brethren and fathers, hear now my defense to you.' And when they heard him speak to them in the Hebrew language, they kept the more silent…" (vs 1-2). Then he explained a little bit about his background, a little bit about himself:

Verse 3: "I am a man who is indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, having been instructed according to the exactness of the law of our fathers, being a zealot for God, even as you all are this day."

Think of that for a minute. If he's zealous for God, where in the Epistles of the Apostle Paul does he ever write the Hebrew sacred names? Nowhere! If it were required, since he wrote more of the New Testament than any of the other apostles, don't you think that God would have made it important and understood that he should use the sacred names? Remember, Yahweh or Jehovah was the covenant name for the children of Israel, and that covenant was not a covenant unto salvation, so names cannot save. It is not a name that saves; it is God Who saves, in the person of Jesus Christ. We will see it right here:

Acts 4:8: "Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them…" Who is he talking to? He's talking to the Sanhedrin, the religious leaders of Jerusalem and Judaism at that time.

"…'Rulers of the people and elders of Israel, if we are examined this day as to a good work done to the infirm man, by what power he has been cured, be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ… ['Iesous Christos'] …the Nazarean…'" (vs 8-10). If we're required to use sacred names, don't you think that this is the place where it would be used. Who is Peter talking to? All the religious leaders of Judaism!

"'…Whom you crucified, but Whom God has raised from the dead, by Him this man stands before you whole. This is the Stone that was set at naught by you, the builders, which has become the Head of the corner. And there is no salvation in any other…" (vs 10-12).

Jesus said, John 14:6: "Jesus said to him, 'I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life…'"

Acts 4:12: "And there is no salvation in any other, for neither is there another name under heaven, which has been given among men, by which we must be saved." It's not just the name, it is the person of Jesus Christ. The person who became Jesus Christ, resurrected from the dead, now at the right hand of God, He is the One Who saves!

That's quite an important thing to understand. Now let's see what Paul said, where again, he narrates the very beginning of his ministry. Paul is talking to King Agrippa, making his defense:

Acts 26:8: Why do you find it incredible that God would raise the dead?…. [he asks King Agrippa] …For this very reason, I truly thought in myself that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus the Nazarean, which I also did in Jerusalem; and many of the saints I shut up in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my full consent against them. And by punishing them often in all the synagogues, I compelled them to blaspheme. And being exceedingly furious against them, I persecuted them even as far as to foreign cities. During this time, I was journeying to Damascus with authorization and a commission from the chief priests" (vs 8-12). So, he was on his way to do a zealous work.

Verse 13: "When I saw on the road at midday, O king, a light from heaven, surpassing the brightness of the sun, shine around me andthose who were traveling with me. Then all of us fell to the ground; and I heard a voice speak to me, saying in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?….'" (vs 13-14).

Since Jesus spoke to Paul in the Hebrew language, we also know that he understood it. If understanding it was a requirement to use YHVH—Jehovah, Yahwah or Yahweh—then Paul would have understood what he was to do. But Paul wrote everything that he wrote in Greek.

We'll see about the sacred names in just a minute, because there are sacred names we are to use in the New Testament, and we use them all the time. One of them is Jesus Christ, which is translated from 'Iesous Christos.' Another one is The Lord God Almighty, and we'll see that in the book of Revelation.

The point that I am making here is when the circumstances call for a sacred name to be used as understood by the sacred namers, nowhere in the New Testament do we see it written. Nowhere do we find a New Testament written by the apostles using sacred names. All of them knew Hebrew and Greek, but they didn't use it. We're also going to see that there's a reason why. It was to go into all the world and was to be translated!

A prophecy of this is in Isa. 28; that Jesus said that He would speak to this people with stammering lips and another tongue, which means another language. Many take this as a prophecy that He was not going to use Hebrew for the New Testament. Greek is much more sophisticated in its syntax and the technical things concerning the language that make it much more exact than Hebrew. So, this is necessary for New Testament doctrine.

We are going to look at one of the sacred names we can use. Here we find something very interesting; Paul does use a Hebrew word, but an informal intimate form of the Hebrew word, not a formal Hebrew word:

Romans 8:14: "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God. Now, you have not received a spirit of bondage again unto fear, but you have received the Spirit of sonship, whereby we call out, 'Abba, Father'" (vs 14-15).

'Abba' is a Hebrew or Semitic, also Aramaic, word that means Father. What did he do here, he said, "…Abba, Father." This is like saying, 'Father, Father.' Paul used a Hebrew word here, but he interpreted it in the Greek. The Greek for Father is 'Pater'—'Abba Pater'—Father.

What is the significance of this, and what is it that Christ is inspiring and showing in what we need to do?

Now, we're going to look at the introductions that Paul has in almost every one of His epistles that follow the same pattern.

1-Corinthians 1:3: "Grace and peace be to you from God ['Theos'] our Father ['Pater'] and the Lord ['Kurios'] Jesus Christ 'Iesous Christos']." Those are the sacred names! When Jesus told us to pray:

• How did He say we should begin our prayers?
• Isn't prayer one of the most important things that we have in our lives?
• Isn't that the connection between us and God?

if it were a matter of salvation to have the right name

• Don't you think that Jesus Himself in Matt. 6—and other places where He talks about how to pray—that He would have used the sacred name?
• So that everyone would know what He's talking about?

He said, 'Our Father' in Greek 'Pater.' Father in many western languages is almost the same: padre, papa—very similar to 'Abba.' Don't you think it would have been very, very important to give a blessing in a sacred Hebrew name, if that were required.

(go to the next track)

2-Corinthians 1:1: "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the Church of God that is in Corinth…" This is a message to the Church of God, which then being preserved for us is a message for all of the Churches of God down through time.

"…with all the saints who are in the entire region of Achaia: Grace and peace be to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God ['ho Theos'] and Father ['Pater'] of our Lord Jesus Christ ['Kurio Iesous Christos], the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort" (vs 1-3)—in Greek.

This is important to understand, because if it were a requirement for those speaking in other languages to use the sacred names, then it would be imperative that Paul use those here. But the fact is he did use the New Testament sacred names: the Lord Jesus Christ and the Father. Those are the sacred names of the New Testament.

You find that in every one of the introductions of the Apostle Paul. Why? The names show the similarity of the western languages to Greek; that's why God chose Greek rather than Hebrew for the New Testament. Let's understand why this is. Whenever you're trying to solve a doctrinal problem, many times you come to some very fundamental Scriptures that you use over and over again. Notice how John wrote in the Greek:

John 14:14: "If you ask anything in My name… [Jesus Christ] …I will do it. If you love Me, keep the commandments—namely, My commandments. And I will ask the Father…" (vs 14-15). There's the sacred name, because we are in an intimate spiritual relationship with God that was not available under the covenant with Israel called the Old Covenant.

"…and He shall give you another Comforter, that it may be with you throughout the age: Even the Spirit of the Truth… [we're dealing in Truth] …which the world cannot receive because it perceives it not, nor knows it; but you know it because it dwells with you, and shall be within you" (vs 15-17).

We're going to talk about the Spirit of God within us, because that has an awful lot to do with our relationship with God. Whenever God has a covenant with people, He has the names that are for that covenant. Just like we saw with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, it was God Almighty or the Almighty God. With Israel it was YHVH. With us it is the Father and the Son the Lord Jesus Christ.

Verse 18: "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. Yet, a little while and the world shall see Me no longer; but you shall see Me. Because I live, you shall live also" (vs 18-19).

Now here's a key and this ties right in with one of the Scriptures we used at the beginning, 'To this one will I look, who is of a contrite spirit and trembles at My word.'

Verse 20: "'In that day, you shall know that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you. The one who has My commandments and is keeping them, that is the one who loves Me; and the one who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will manifest Myself to him.' Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, 'Lord, what has happened that You are about to manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?' Jesus answered and said to him, 'If anyone loves Me, he will keep My Word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him'" (vs 20-23).

Notice there's not one word about a sacred name. We're now talking about a spiritual relationship by receiving the Spirit of God within you. That's the important thing! Now then, it comes heart to heart, mind to mind. Quite different than coming to a temple and offering a sacrifice to justify yourself at the temple. Notice the contrary of this:

Verse 24: "The one who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the Word that you hear is not Mine, but the Father's, Who sent Me." The most important Being in the universe! We're receiving His words. Think of that! A lot of people want to know:

• Who is God?
• Where is God?
• What is God?

He's as close as your knees in prayer!

Jesus said to ask in His name and He would do it. Now let's see what else He says to show the relationship God wants to have with us on a one-to-one basis. Please understand that God is able to do this with an infinite number of people at the same time.

John 16:26: "In that day, you shall ask in My name… [the Lord Jesus Christ] …and I do not tell you that I will beseech the Father for you, for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God" (vs 26-27).

What is a basic doctrine of Catholicism? You beseech Mary, who beseeches the Son, Who beseeches the Father! You have two detours, and Mary is not in heaven anyway. So, there you have it, the Father Himself loves you and will answer your prayers. If you don't believe that, take Him up on it.

Let's see Jesus' activity on our behalf. Why He is our High Priest, and why we can pray in Jesus' name. There are times when it's perfectly all right to pray to Jesus directly. It's recorded in the New Testament, especially in the book of Acts, that the apostles did that. But we are direct our prayers mainly to the Father.

Hebrews 4:12: "For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword…"

• that's why we need the Word of God
• that's why the Bible reads as no other book in the world

"…piercing even to the dividing asunder of both soul and spirit, and of both the joints and the marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart" (v 12).

Let's add one other thing there that's important: also shows the sins and weaknesses of those whom God has used. Look at Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, and Moses. Their sins are recorded so that we know that in God dealing with us He is more interested in repentance. So, when you sin and repent… That's why Jesus gave in the daily prayer, 'Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.' We need this daily cleansing of sin every single day. Here's the reason why:

Verse 13: "And there is not a created thing that is not manifest in His sight; but all things are naked and laid bare before the eyes of Him to Whom we must give account."

This is why you can go to God in complete confidence in Truth, confess your sins, beseech Jesus, beseech the Father and receive help. He will hear you! He knows everything about you! We'll see why He knows everything about you, even more intimately than other people in the world.

Verse 14: "Having, therefore, a great High Priest, Who has passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, we should hold fast the confession of our faith.  For we do not have a High Priest Who cannot empathize with our weaknesses, but One Who was tempted in all things according to the likeness of our own temptations; yet, He was without sin… [he knows] …Therefore, we should come with boldness to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (vs 14-16).

• not one word about a sacred name
• not one word about a sacred formula

You come naked and bare as far as God's perception of you, and He is there:

• to help
• to heal
• to listen
• to forgive
• to intercede
• to bless you

Let's carry this one step further. John explains even more about this relationship that we are to have with God. He explains it in great detail, and this fits in with what we are covering.

1-John 1:1: "That which was from the beginning… [so, we go clear back to the beginning] …that which we have heard… [not one word about sacred names] …that which we have seen with our own eyes, that which we observed for ourselves and our own hands handled, concerning the Word of Life"—showing the intimate relationship that they had with Jesus while He was here on the earth, and especially John, because he was the apostle that Jesus loved.

Verse 2: "(And the life was manifested, and we have seen, and are bearing witness… [this becomes important because it talks about eternal life] …and are reporting to you the eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested to us); that which we have seen and have heard we are reporting to you in order that you also may have fellowship with us; for the fellowship—indeed, our fellowship—is with the Father and with His own Son Jesus Christ" (vs 2-3)—'ho pater' and 'Iesous Christos.'

Those are the sacred names, but it is a family relationship through the Spirit of God. It is not a temple relationship where there was no salvation, as under the Old Covenant with the exception of the Prophets and some of the kings. They were only justified to the temple.

Verse 4: "These things we are also writing to you, so that your joy may be completely full." Your joy is completely full when you understand what God is doing.

Verse 5: "And this is the message that we have heard from Him and are declaring to you… [notice again, no Hebrew sacred names] …that God is Light, and there is no darkness at all in Him. If we proclaim that we have fellowship with Him, but we are walking in the darkness… [walking in sin] …we are lying to ourselves, and we are not practicing the Truth" (vs 5-6).

• What do we have here?
• What do we have in all of this?

Going clear back to the very first Scriptural reference that had, 'You have exalted Your Word above Your name.' It's the Word of Life,' Who is Christ. We have fellowship with Him; that's what God wants with the Spirit. We'll see how close this fellowship is to be here.

Verse 7: "However, if we walk in the Light… [the way we are to live, the way that Christ has shown] …as He is in the Light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ… [that's the sacred name] …His own Son, cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we do not have sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the Truth is not in us. If we confess our own sins… [through the name of Jesus Christ to the Father] …He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (vs 7-9). That's the relationship that God wants us to be in. That's why it's called grace! 'For by grace are you saved.' That's how it's done.

Now let's look at some things to add to this and shows us what it is. This is why:

• growing, changing and overcoming
• growing in grace and knowledge
• growing in the Spirit of God
• growing in the Word of God
• growing in the understanding of God

is so important! Understand that the Protestants always begin, but they never finish! They have altar calls to say, 'Come and give your heart to Jesus. Well, that's the first step, then there has to be repentance and there has to be baptism. But they always just begin. They begin with the forgiveness of sin and they end with the forgiveness of sin, and God wants us to grow in grace and knowledge and build the very character of God. Paul is explaining it:

1-Corinthians 3:3: "For you are still carnal. For since envy and contention and divisions are among you, are you not carnal? And are you not walking according to human ways?" He wants to straighten them out:

Verse 4: "When someone says, 'I am of Paul,' and another one says, 'I am of Apollos,' are you not carnal?"

This is the great understanding that we need to have to anyone who is an elder, minister or teacher. When I read this I take a lot of correction and direction from it. Of ourselves, we have no importance before God because of us and who we are. But if we:

• teach the Word of God
• preach the Word of God
• teach the brethren to have the right relationship with God the Father and the Son Jesus Christ

—those are the sacred names we should use—then we are helping them to build that relationship with God, and helping them to grow in grace and knowledge so that they can grow in the Spirit of God and prepare for eternal life.

That's why we need to consider every Sabbath as a day of learning and preparing for eternal life! Think of that! Continuous education! That's why God has given us the mind that we have.

Verse 5: "Who then is Paul? And who is Apollos? They are but ministers through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave to each one. I planted and Apollos watered, but God gave the increase" (vs 5-6). We are to teach the Word of God so that you can grow!

Verse 7: "Therefore, neither is he who plants anything, nor he who waters; for it is God Who gives the increase. Now, he who plants and he who waters are one, but each shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; and you are God's husbandry…" (vs 7-9). {Note John 16—'I am the Vine, you are the branches and My Father is the Husbandman.}

"…even God's building" (v 9). {Note Eph. 2—the temple is growing together}.

Verse 10: "As a wise architect, according to the grace of God that was given to me, I have laid the foundation, and another is building upon it. But let each one take heed how he builds upon it." So, we need to be careful how we are building our spiritual lives.

Verse 11: "For no one is able to lay any other foundation besides that which has been laid, which is Jesus Christ." Again, no sacred names from the Hebrew.

Verse 12: "Now, if anyone builds upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones… [the spiritual qualities of Godly character] …wood, hay or stubble… [the carnal qualities, using the name of God and His Word improperly] …the work of each one shall be manifested; for the day of trial will declare it… [that's why we have trials] …because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall prove what kind of work each one's is. If the work that anyone has built endures, he shall receive a reward. If the work of anyone is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet, as through fire" (vs 12-15).

So, even through the trial God is merciful, even to those who build with wood, hay or stubble.

Verse 16: "Don't you understand that you are God's temple, and that the Spirit of God is dwelling in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God shall destroy him because the temple of God is Holy, which temple you are" (vs 16-17).

You are a temple of God. Remember what we read in John 14, where Jesus said that 'We will come and make Our abode—or dwelling place—with you.' Of God's Spirit we have two aspects:

• begettal from the Father
• the mind of Christ

As we go through 2-Cor. 6 and read this, I want to remind you again that Paul knew and understood Hebrew. If the sacred names from the covenant with Israel, of YHVH, were required, he would have inserted it in the Greek so we would have known.

The New Testament sacred names are God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Almighty God! How is it at we open our prayers many times? Our Father, Almighty God in heaven, with Jesus Christ at your right hand…'

2-Corinthians 6:14: "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and lawlessness have in common? And what fellowship does light have with darkness?" Remember what we read in 1-John 1 concerning light and dark.

Verse 15: "And what union does Christ have with Belial?…. [worthless men] …Or what part does a believer have with an unbeliever? And what agreement is there between a temple of God… [which we are] …and idols?…. [which we do not worship] …For you are a temple of the living God, exactly as God said: 'I will dwell in them… [that's our fellowship] …and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people'" (vs 15-16).

God is doing a magnificent thing with those who have the Spirit of God!

Verse 17: "'Therefore, come out from the midst of them and be separate,' says the Lord, 'and touch not the unclean, and I will receive you; and I shall be a Father… ['Pater'] …to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters,' says the Lord Almighty" (vs 17-18).

Galatians 3:29: "And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."

What was it that we saw that was the sacred name for Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? God Almighty! And we saw that in the last verse of Gal. 3. Let's see where the Almighty God is used quite a few times. We will see that the phrase The Lord Almighty refers to Jesus Christ and the Father.

Revelation 1:8: "'I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the Ending,' says the Lord ['Kurios'], 'Who is, and Who was, and Who is to come—the Almighty.'"

Notice what the four living creatures in heaven do, and how this is recorded for us; Revelation 4:8: "And each of the four living creatures had six wings respectively; and around and within they were full of eyes; and day and night they cease not saying, 'Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was, and Who is, and Who is to come.'"—referring to Jesus Christ.

After the seventh trump is blown, and the resurrection is occurring; Revelation 11:17: "Saying… [the 24 elders who worship God] …'We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, Who is, and Who was, and Who is to come; for You have taken to Yourself Your great power, and have reigned.'"

You have the four living creatures and the 24 elders right before the throne of God. Don't you think right before and over the throne of God that they would use the proper sacred name in the presence of God? What is it recorded in? Greek! Not Hebrew!

Revelation 15:2: "And I saw a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, standing on the Sea of Glass, having the lyres of God. And they were singing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, 'Great and awesome are Your works, Lord God ['Kurio Theos'] Almighty; righteous and true are Your ways, King of the saints'"

Revelation 16:5: "Then I heard the angel of the waters say, 'You are righteous, O Lord ['Kurios'], Who are, and Who was, even the Holy One, in that You have executed this judgment. For they have poured out the blood of saints and of prophets, and You have given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.' And I heard another voice from the altar say… [right from the very throne of God] …'Yes, Lord God Almighty… [same sacred names as Abraham] …true and righteous are Your judgments'" (vs 5-7).

You can't be having any more sacred names that are being used than those right over the throne of God! You can't get any closer to God. Let's see something else that's also important; this is to all the churches:

Revelation 2:17: "The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes I will give the right to eat of the hidden manna… [from the Tree of Life] …and I will give him a white stone… [symbolic of authorities] …and on the stone a new name written… [you're going to receive a new name, too] …which no one knows except the one who receives it.'"

There are going to be other names given, too, names fitting for spirit beings, which we will be at that time.

Revelation 3:12: "The one who overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall not go out anymore; and I will write upon him the name of My God ['Theos'] and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which will come down out of heaven from My God; and I will write upon him My new name."

We're going to have a new name and it will consist of several things. If you really want to have access to God, then how are you going to do it when you don't know this particular name of Jesus?

Revelation 19:5: "And a voice came forth from the throne, saying, 'Praise our God, all His servants, and all who fear Him, both small and great.' And I heard a voice like that of a great multitude, and like the sound of many waters, and the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, 'Hallelujah! For the Lord God Almighty has reigned'" (vs 5-6).

Verse 11: "And I saw heaven open; and behold, a white horse; and He Who sat on it is called Faithful and True… [doesn't say named, just called; that's a characteristic of Him] …and in righteousness He does judge and make war. And His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written that no one knows except Him" (vs 11-12).

How are you going to have contact with God unless you know that? Only He knows it! He hasn't revealed it! If you want to know what that name is, make it to the resurrection so you will find out.

Revelation 21:22: "And I saw no temple in it; for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it." The Father is called the Lord God Almighty! Jesus is called the Lord God Almighty, and also the Lamb!

Revelation 22:3: "And there shall be no more curse; and the throne of God ['Theos'] and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him, and they shall see His face; and His name is in their foreheads…. [which will be the new name] …And there shall be no night there; for they have no need of a lamp or the light of the sun, because the Lord God… ['Kurio Theos'] …enlightens them; and they shall reign into the ages of eternity" (vs 3-5).

So, those are the sacred names that we are to use!

• Jesus did not use the Hebrew sacred names
• none of the apostles used the Hebrew sacred names

Though they knew Hebrew, they used the Greek, and we have it translated in English and that's what we use today!

All Scriptures from The Holy Bible in Its Original Order, A Faithful Version

Scriptural References:

• Psalm 138:1-2
• Isaiah 66:1-2
• Luke 24:44-45
• Exodus 3:13-15
• Exodus 6:1-3
• Galatians 3:7
• Exodus 6:4
• Genesis 17:1
• Matthew 5:48
• Genesis 28:1-3
• Genesis 48:2-3
• Psalm 110:1
• Matthew 22:41-44
• Acts 21:40
• Acts 22:1-3
• Acts 4:8-12
• John 14:6
• Acts 4:12
• Acts 26:8-14
• Romans 8:14-15
• 1 Corinthians 1:3
• 2 Corinthians 1:1-3
• John 14:14-24
• John 16:26-27
• Hebrews 4:12-16
• 1 John 1:1-9
• 1 Corinthians 3:3-17
• 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
• Galatians 3:29
• Revelation 1:8
• Revelation 4:8
• Revelation 11:17
• Revelation 15:2-3
• Revelation 16:5-7
• Revelation 2:17
• Revelation 3:12
• Revelation 19:5-6, 11-12
• Revelation 21:22
• Revelation 22:3-5

Scriptures referenced, not quoted:

• Genesis 49:33
• Isaiah 28
• Matthew 6
• Ephesians 2

Also referenced:

Sermon Series: Names of God

Book: The Names of God in Holy Scripture by Andrew Jukes

Sermons

• I AM That I AM
• Debunking the Myths of the Sacred Namers #s 1-2 (Carl Franklin) (truthofGod.org)

Article: The Two Jehovahs of the Psalms: The Scriptural Evidence of the Duality of God by Carl Franklin (truthofGod.org)}

FRC: bo
Transcribed: 6/11/17