The Name of the LORD: Why do Some Christians Have a Problem with the Name Jesus?
“The Name of the LORD” Key Texts: Exodus 3:14; Matthew 1:21; Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:9–11 What’s in a Name? Names have great significance in Scripture. They carry identity, character, purpose, and often a divine revelation. When we speak of the name of the LORD , we are not just talking about pronunciation or syllables—we’re talking about the nature of God Himself. Today, we’ll look at: The history of God’s names in the Bible. The debate over using the name “Jesus” vs. “Yeshua.” Why what we mean matters more than the precise sound we say . God’s Names in the Old Testament The first time God reveals a personal name to Moses is in Exodus 3:14 , when He says: “I AM WHO I AM… Tell them, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” The Hebrew here is Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh , and it reflects the eternal, self-existent nature of God. He simply is . Soon after, in Exodus 6:3 , God adds: “I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name YHWH I did not m...