Acts 4:10,12
Let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him this man stands here before you whole. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
The name of Jesus Christ holds an unparalleled position of reverence and sanctity in Christianity. The New Testament of the Bible, particularly in the Pauline epistles, emphasises the supremacy of Jesus' name. In Philippians 2:9-11, the apostle Paul writes, "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 acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." This passage underscores the divine elevation of Jesus, asserting his dominion over all creation.
The name of Jesus is not merely a label or an identifier; it
encapsulates the person, the character, and the authority of the Son of God. It
is a symbol of salvation, redemption, and divine love. In Acts 4:12, it is
stated, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none
other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
The name of Jesus, thus, becomes the unique channel for salvation,
distinguishing it from all other names.
Historically, the Church has fortified the supremacy of
Jesus' name through liturgical practices and doctrinal teachings. The sacrament
of baptism, for instance, is performed 'in the name of Jesus Christ'
(Acts 2:38), signifying the believer's identification with Jesus' death,
burial, and resurrection. Similarly, prayers are often concluded 'in Jesus'
name', underscoring the believer's reliance on Jesus' intercession before God
the Father (John 14:13-14).
In contemporary Christian practice, the name of Jesus
continues to hold a central position. Worship songs, prayers, and sermons
frequently invoke Jesus' name, reflecting its ongoing significance in Christian
spirituality. The name of Jesus is often invoked for healing, deliverance, and
spiritual warfare, showing its authority and power (Mark 16:17-18).
The group known as Jehovah's Witnesses has doctrines that
set it apart from mainstream Christianity. They consider themselves to be Christian
and use the Bible as their primary text, however their version: the New World
Translation (NWT) is not seen as an authentic Bible translation, because the
writers have intentionally altered the doctrine by inserting “Jehovah” into the
New Testament 237 times, when it the name is not mentioned once in any of the
approximately 5,000 discovered Greek New Testament manuscripts. These are the
original authentic texts which form the basis of our Bible translations today.
The name 'Jehovah' has been a focal point in Christian circles, particularly among those who emphasise the Old Testament. However, this focus on the name 'Jehovah' may not be biblical in the full context. 'Jehovah' is a rendering of the Hebrew tetragrammaton YHWH, the sacred
name of God in the Old Testament, often translated as 'LORD' in English Bibles, associated with God's self-revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:14,
where God declares, "I AM THAT I AM." This name signifies God's
self-existence, eternality, and faithfulness. However, 'Jehovah' is
a human construction, derived from the consonants of YHWH
and the vowels of another Hebrew word, 'Adonai.'
The name 'Jesus' is derived from the Hebrew name 'Yeshua,'
meaning 'The LORD saves.' This name was given to the Son of God at his
incarnation, signifying his mission to save humanity from sin (Matthew 1:21).
Unlike 'Jehovah,' the name 'Jesus' is not a human construction but a divine
revelation, given by an angel of the Lord to Joseph in a dream. The New
Testament presents the name of Jesus as being above every name (Philippians
2:9-11).
This elevation is rooted in the person and work of Jesus
Christ, who, being in very nature, God, humbled himself by becoming human and
dying on the cross. Through his death and resurrection, Jesus accomplished
salvation for humanity, a work surpassing all previous acts in the
Old Testament. The name of Jesus encapsulates the fullness of God's
revelation, redemption, and reconciliation.
While the name 'Jehovah' represents God's covenantal
relationship with Israel, the name 'Jesus' extends this relationship to all
humanity. In the Old Testament, God's salvific acts were primarily focused on
Israel, but in the New Testament, through Jesus, salvation is offered to all
people, regardless of their ethnic, cultural, or religious backgrounds
(Ephesians 2:11-22). This universal scope of salvation elevates the name of
Jesus above 'Jehovah.'
However, it is important to note that this rendering of
God's name is absent from the New Testament. The writers of the New Testament,
under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, consistently used the Greek word
'Kyrios' (Lord) to refer to God. More significantly, they applied this title to
Jesus Christ, affirming his deity and lordship. The name 'Jesus' as also presented above every name (Philippians 2:9-11), showing the ultimate supremacy of Jesus Christ in Christian theology.
The focus on the name 'Jehovah' often leads to an
overemphasis on the Old Testament's portrayal of God at the expense of the New
Testament's revelation. The Old Testament presents God's covenantal
relationship with Israel and His acts of judgment and mercy within a specific
historical and cultural context. However, the New Testament reveals the
fullness of God's character and plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. By
focusing on 'Jehovah,' one may inadvertently neglect the complete biblical
narrative, which culminates in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Besides this core issue of the name of our salvation, the
holy name of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Jehovah’s Witnesses also have several
other beliefs which do not have a solid scriptural basis:
Jesus as Michael the Archangel: Jehovah's Witnesses
teach Jesus is, in fact, Michael the Archangel. This belief is based on their
interpretation of passages like 1 Thessalonians 4:16. However, mainstream Christianity
maintains Jesus is God incarnate, not an angel, based on passages like John
1:1-14 and Hebrews 1:5-8.
Denial of Hell: Jehovah's Witnesses reject the
traditional Christian belief in Hell as a place of eternal torment for the
wicked. Instead, they believe that death is a state of non-existence, except
for the 144,000 'anointed ones' who are resurrected to live in heaven. This
contradicts passages like Matthew 25:46 and Revelation 20:10, which depict
eternal punishment for the wicked.
Limited Atonement: Jehovah's Witnesses believe that
Christ's death provides salvation only for the 144,000 'anointed ones,' not for
all believers. This is contrary to passages like John 3:16 and 1 John 2:2,
which affirm that Christ's atonement is available to all who believe in him.
Refusal of Blood Transfusions: Based on their
interpretation of Acts 15:28-29, Jehovah's Witnesses refuse to accept blood
transfusions, even in life-threatening situations. This stance is not viewed as
biblical by other Christians, who cite passages like Matthew 12:7, which suggest
that preserving life is more important than strict adherence to the law.
Predictions of the End Times: The Watchtower Society,
the governing body of Jehovah's Witnesses, has made several predictions about
the end of the world that have not come to pass. This practice is not considered
biblical, given Jesus' words in Matthew 24:36, that no one knows the day or
hour of his return.
In conclusion, the supremacy of the name of Jesus in
Christian theology is deeply rooted in biblical teachings, historical
traditions, and ongoing Christian practices. It represents the person and
authority of Jesus Christ, serving as a unique channel for salvation and a
powerful tool in spiritual life. While other names may hold importance within
their specific contexts, the name of Jesus remains unrivalled in its
theological significance and spiritual efficacy. Therefore, in the Christian
faith, the name of Jesus is indeed above any other name.
While Jehovah's Witnesses affirm their beliefs as biblically
based, many of their key doctrines diverge significantly from mainstream
Christian theology and do not stand up when studied with the authentic texts.
These differences have led to widespread criticism and rejection of their teachings
as unbiblical by most Christian denominations. It is important for all
individuals to carefully examine and consider the biblical basis for their own
religious beliefs and to speak truth in love when errors are found.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts full
of love for all Your children. We understand You are a God of all nations, all
cultures, and all beliefs. We are here today to pray specifically for our friends
who are part of the Jehovah's Witness community. We ask You, Lord, to guide
them gently towards the truth of Your Word, that You have preserved and given
to us in the Holy Bible.
We acknowledge the sincerity of their faith, their
dedication to their beliefs, and their commitment to living a life of
righteousness. Yet, we pray that You may open their hearts and minds to the
fullness of Your truth, the truth that salvation comes through faith in Your
Son, Jesus Christ. May they come to understand that it is through His
sacrifice, His resurrection, and His ascension that we are granted eternal
life.
We pray, Lord, that You would reveal the name of Jesus to
them, so that they can understand and accept Your salvation in its fullness. May they come to know You as
their personal Lord and Saviour, the one who has the power to save and to heal.
We pray they may experience Your love profoundly, a love that surpasses all
understanding, a love that compels us to live for You and to serve others.
We pray for patience and wisdom as we interact with our
Jehovah's Witness friends and family members. Help us show them love and peace,
even as we share our faith with them. Give us the right words to say, and the
right actions to take, that we may be effective witnesses of Your love and Your
truth.
Finally, Lord, we pray for unity among all believers in You.
Despite our differences, may we strive to love one another as You have loved
us, and to live in peace with one another. We ask all these things in the
precious and powerful name of Jesus. Amen.