Sacred
Names - Fact or Fiction
By
Lani Finley
There is another
religious phenomena, which is sweeping through the Christian community,
and known as, The Sacred Name movement.
Those who embrace this doctrine believe that the name Jesus Christ
is of pagan origin and should not be used to identify the Son of God.
They hold the belief that salvation is dependent on the ability to
recognize and vocalize the names of God the Father and Jesus Christ
as they appear in the original text of the Bible
1.
Their conviction is that only Hebrew names such as Yahweh, Yahvah
or Yahowah should be used to address God, and Yahshua should be used
when referring to the Son of God.
There is even
controversy within the different groups of this movement, as to which
names to use and exactly how to pronounce them. Other beliefs of Sacred
Name advocates may include one or more of the following tenets:
Many supporters of this movement also believe that the name Jesus was
derived from, or is somehow connected with the name of the pagan god,
Zeus. Some of the more extreme followers even
proclaim that the name Jesus Christ,
is that of a demon. The Assembly of Yahowah confirms
this belief in their book, There is a Demon named Jesus.
...In
this book of ours, called "There is a Demon named Jesus, the
Abomination of Desolation", put together by The Assembly of
YAHOWAH the Eternal, we reveal the personal name and title of Satan
the Devil. His name is "IESOUS CHRISTOS" in the Greek,
"IESUS CHRISTUS" in the Latin, and "JESUS CHRIST"
in the English. Once you have honestly and prayfully studied everything
in this study, you will see and understand that this is true!! We
are now at the time period that YAHOWAH has selected to reveal the
truth of Satan's names and titles, which we mentioned above. We
will show from Revelation 13:17,18, both from the Hebrew and the
Greek and many other source that "Dionysus", (Dionysos),"Iacchus",
"Bacchus", "Zeus" are all connected with the
pagan idol worship of Jesus.
Elder L.D. Snow (one of the movements most admired teachers) also proclaims
in his article, A Brief History of the Sacred Name Movement
in America, that accepting the name of
Jesus is the "Mark of the Beast".
The
Origin of the Sacred Name Movement
The history of
the Sacred Name philosophy can be traced back to the mid-to-late 1800's.
There were several small groups, which are credited with having the
first discussions regarding this doctrine. However, the most recent
movement dates back to the late 1920's early 1930's. Its roots have
been attributed to those who had a prior association with the Church
of God Seventh Day (a Sabbath-observing church). Church
leaders, such as Bill Bishop, John Briggs, C.O. Dodd and L.D. Snow
are recognized as having the most influence in promoting this new
theology.
However, this
concept is not limited to those with a non-denominational and Sabbath
observing background. This trend is also gaining momentum and popularity
in the Protestant community as well. Just recently, Trinity
Broadcasting Network (TBN) apologized for remarks that
outraged the followers of the Sacred Name doctrine. It is a very serious
problem, which has divided congregations and caused many to condemn
the use of the name, Jesus Christ.
A
Risky Theology
While there is
nothing fundamentally wrong with occasionally using the original text
names for God and His Son, the main problem arises when one believes
that their personal relationship with God and our Savior is dependent
upon, or enhanced, by the use of these names. One of the greatest
pitfalls of the Sacred Name believer is
the concept that using a particular name automatically puts them into
a category of a special relationship with God, which other Christians
cannot enjoy.
Usually, those
who embrace the Sacred Name philosophy are
initially very sensitive to their fellow Christians, which use the
name Jesus Christ. At first, the new convert
will try to convince their Christian friends that they do not find
it offensive to hear the name of Jesus. Quite often, they will expend
a great deal of energy trying to convince their Christian peers, that
they do not believe one's salvation and personal relationship with
God is dependant upon using these special words. However, as they
become more indoctrinated into this movement; they usually take a
more rigid position and come to believe that no one can receive salvation,
apart from the use of Sacred Names.
According to
the 'The Assembly of Yahowah the Eternal', one can only gain salvation
through the pronunciation of a name:
"Do you know that without the true personal
name of the Family of heaven, Yahowah and Yaho-Hoshu-wah, you cannot
receive the forgiveness for your sins? That's how serious it is. If
you are still calling upon and using the false substituted names and
titles - God, Lord, Jesus, Christ, Iesous, Iesus, Christos, Yahweh,
Yahveh, Yahshua, Yeshua, Yahvehshua, and Jehovah - you do not have
salvation and your sins have not been forgiven." (Bishop Gordon
Kieth Pearce. )
Those who adhere
to the Sacred Name
philosophy
may resist admitting that using Hebrew names gives them a special
audience with God. However, we should take note of the following statement,
which was taken from the The Sacred Name, is it Sacred or Mystical?
(Church of God, The Eternal p.30-31).
In
order to be saved you will have to be in the body of the Messiah
bearing the name 'Assemblies of Yahweh' . . .While
the charge is hurled against us that we ascribe some kind of mystical
or magical power to the Sacred Name, this is not the case. There
is no magic to be found in any name. However, Semitic culture
has always understood the importance of a Person's name, that in
some way the one who pronounced it has a special avenue of
communication with the individual spoken to." (Emphasis mine
throughout).
Please notice the inconsistency of this statement. On one hand, the
author states, "There is no magic to be found in the
Sacred Name". However, he goes on
to declare that using a person's name correctly, gives one
"a
special avenue of communication with the individual spoken to".
This statement confirms that members of this movement feel they have
a unique relationship with God, by using original text names. This belief
will eventually prevent those who embrace the Sacred Name theology from
associating with anyone who uses the name, Jesus Christ. Truthfully,
most Sacred Name proponents soon develop abhorrence for both the words,
God and Jesus.
It is not the
purpose of this article to explore all of the arguments that this
faction uses to draw Christians into the bondage of their theology.
Rather, to share some basic scriptural information, which may help
Believers make the correct choice when confronted by this divisive
and destructive doctrine.
Hebrew or Aramaic?
The crux of the
Sacred Name theology is centered upon the Hebrew language and the
correct pronunciation of the tetragrammaton (YHWH). However, there
are two basic reasons why no one can be certain that they have correctly
pronounced this name of God.
First,
there are no vowels included in the Hebrew alphabet. Therefore, any
attempt to verbalize the word YHWH is purely a matter of speculation
and guesswork.
Secondly,
the original Hebrew language has not existed for centuries. During
Judah's captivity in Babylon, the Hebrew language was partially replaced
by Aramaic, which was the dominant language spoken throughout the
Babylonian Empire. In the years to follow, the Hebrew dialect was
virtually overtaken by Aramaic. Even though the original Hebrew language
had ceased to exist, the new Aramaic version was still referred to
as "Hebrew".
The influence
of the Aramaic language can be found within several Books of the Old
Testament. Both the prophet Daniel and the priest Ezra wrote several
chapters of their Books in Aramaic. In addition, they repeatedly used
the word ELAH (not YHWH)
when referring to the Creator. If "all scripture is given by
inspiration of God", then it was the Holy Spirit that moved these
men to address God with a name other than YHWH.
Although Hebrew
may have been the universal language spoken before the flood, nowhere
does the Bible assign any spiritual or divine significance to it.
Thank God, that the salvation of mankind is not dependent upon a language,
which was lost centuries ago.
Has
God Failed to Proclaim His Son's Name?
Our Heavenly
Father cherishes and adores His Son, Jesus Christ. The scriptures
tell us that God has given His Son a name, which all things in heaven
and earth shall honor.
Wherefore
God also has highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above
every name. 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee
should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under
the earth. 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus
Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil.
2: 9,10,11).
God's Holy Word also reveals to us, that both God and His Holy Spirit
are continually witnessing the name of His Son to mankind.
If
we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for
this is the witness of God, which he has testified of his Son.
11 And this is the record, that God has given to us eternal life,
and this life is in his Son” (1John 5: 9,11).
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the
Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the
Father, he shall testify of me (John 15:26).
Those who subscribe
to the Sacred Name doctrine believe that only the name of Yeshua
applies to these scriptures. However, for over 1,900 years there is
only one name that the majority of humanity has recognized as the
name of the Savior. Only the name of Jesus Christ
is known throughout the world as the Son of God and the foundation
of Christianity. If there is another name, which the majority of the
human race has never heard, then both God and His Holy Spirit have
failed in their mission of witnessing of God's only Son. If
the name necessary for salvation is not Jesus, then virtually no one
has been saved for the past 1900 years.
Some members
of the Sacred Names faction may feel that they are part of an exclusive
group, and that only those who use original text names have been saved.
Nevertheless, this reasoning is not in agreement with the Word of
God. The words of the apostle John do not support this concept. "For
God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that
the world through him might be saved" (John 3:17).
This verse proves that it is God's will for the entire world to know
the name of His Son. It has never been His intention to hide the name
of the Savior from mankind. Therefore, we should glorify, praise and
proclaim the name of Jesus Christ at every opportunity.
Did Jesus Use Sacred Names?
There cannot
be a better example for Christians to follow, than that of the Savior.
Did Jesus Christ adhere to the Sacred Name philosophy, or did He use
other names when addressing God? Jesus used the word Father over 100
times when referring, or praying to God. Jesus often began His prayers
by addressing God, as His Father.
O
righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but
I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. 26And
I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare
it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and
I in them (John 17:25-26).
The Lord also
encourages all Believers to use the term Father when praying to God.
And he [Jesus]
said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father
which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name... (Luke 11:2).
The word Father, as used in all the references that Christ made to God,
is translated from the word "pater". It simply means father
or parent. There is nothing that warms God's heart,
as much as hearing His Children call Him, Father. It denotes a close,
personal and endearing relationship with one's dad. God paid an amazing
price in order for mankind to be able to have this family relationship
with Him. He no longer wants His begotten children to embrace Him only
as their God, but also as their personal and loving spiritual Father.
Neither did Jesus
use the Hebrew words Yahweh, Yahvah or
Yahowah
when suffering upon the cross. In His greatest moments of agony, "...Jesus
cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?
which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken
me" (Mark 15:34)? According to Strongs Concordance, the word
Eloi is of Aramaic origin, not of original Hebrew.
If there were ever a time when one would want to address God in the
proper manner, it would be while they were dying to save all humanity.
Jesus Christ
lived a perfect live during His ministry on earth and He never committed
a single transgression. Therefore, if we follow His examples and teachings,
we can be assured that our worship is pleasing to the Heavenly Father.
Too
Awesome for Just One Name
God and Jesus
Christ are just too great and immense, to be limited by only one name.
No single name is able to capture all of the majesty, splendor and
attributes of God and Christ. Even Old Testament Prophets (who wrote
the original text) were inspired by the Holy Spirit to ascribe more
than one name to the Messiah.
For
unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government
shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful,
Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of
Peace (Isaiah 6:6).
The Son of God
enjoys many glorious names, which identify Him as the Messiah and
supplier of all our needs. He may also be called: Jesus, Christ, Savior,
Redeemer, Immanuel, the Bread of Life, the True Vine, the Dayspring,
the Word, Prince of Peace, Prince of Life, Morning star, Lamb of God,
Creator, Lord of Lords and many other majestic titles.
God also has
many wonderful names that help describe His eternal power and supreme
authority. Heavenly Father, the Almighty, Most High, Lord of Lords,
Living God, Father of Lights, Eternal God and Our Father are just
some of the names that help define our great God
One may worship
or pray to God in any of these names and be assured, that Our Heavenly
Father will hear and answer them, in the name of His Beloved Son.
God and Jesus Christ cannot be contained, or restricted by a single
name. For they are infinite in scope, and the beginning and end of
all things.
A
Stern Warning from the Apostle Paul.
Disputes over
words and genealogies
have plagued the churches of God down through the centuries. Nevertheless,
the apostle Paul issued a stern warning to all Christians who wish
to engage in these destructive arguments.
Of
these things put them in remembrance, charging them before
the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit,
but to the subverting of the hearers(2 Tim 2:14).
The original
Greek word used in this scripture for "subverting" is
katastrophe. It is similar in meaning to the English
word catastrophe. It is also used to denote
an overthrow, demolition or apostasy. The point that the apostle Paul
wishes to make is, that striving about words will cause
a catastrophe, demolition, overthrow or apostasy of the hearers.
We must always
remember that our salvation is based upon the works of Jesus Christ,
not the name that we may ascribe to Him or God. The gospel message
is about the blood, bone, guts and marrow of the Lamb of God, not
in one's selection or correct pronunciation of His name.
In
Conclusion
Just recently,
President Bush was sued because the name Jesus Christ was used in
a prayer at his inauguration. We have come to expect such assaults
on the name of our Savior from the secular community. However, it
is extremely upsetting when the names of God and Jesus Christ are
denounced and scorned by those claiming to have eternal salvation.
The truth is,
God recognizes all the languages of the world. This is proven by the
acts of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. All of the people
heard the disciples in their own language (Acts Chapter 2). The Holy
Spirit would never have performed such a miracle, if it were an insult
to God.
Spiritual gimmicks
such as, Baptism with fire, WWJD (What would Jesus Do),
Speaking in Tongues and Sacred Names continually
flow through the Christian faith. Primarily,
because Jesus never seems to be enough for human beings.
We find it difficult to believe in the last words that Jesus spoke
before He died, "IT IS FINISHED!!"
The Sacred Name
theology is a masterpiece of deception,
created by the Powers of Darkness,
which cunningly leads the followers into the sin of idolatry.
The name of God becomes the focus of their worship, instead of the
One who possesses the name. Once indoctrinated with this belief, it
is very difficult to be removed from its powerful influence. However,
the Spirit of Truth is always able to free
the Children of God from the hand of Satan.
Many beliefs and quotes contained in this article
were the result of the works of:
1Gary Mink, Sacred Name Website at:
2
B.L. Cocherell, Articles, Sacred-Name- A Bible Study, Part One and Part
Two.
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