What's Your Name?

It is well known that in biblical times, much more so than today, a person's name had a special significance that often described aspects of that person's life. In some cases it described someone's rank in society or the circumstances surrounding his or her conception or birth.


Although it is much less prominent today, at least in the West, we can still find traces of it today, both for good and bad. As an example of the latter, no one wants to be called a Judas or a Benedict Arnold, names synonymous with betrayal (for my non-American readers, Benedict Arnold was a general who betrayed the United States during the American War for Independence by agreeing to surrender West Point to the British Army). On the other hand, a name with an honorable history is often passed down to new generations in order to perpetuate a legacy.



In the Scriptures, we find this dynamic at work constantly. In fact, I believe that it is a subtle motif that can be found throughout the Bible. I hope to show that there are two ways to be given a name in Scripture. On the one hand, I hope to demonstrate that the essense of sin and unbelief is the desire to make a name for one's self, thereby functionally dethroning God and taking divine prerogatives. These individuals are always met with destruction. On the other, those who humbly acknowledge their dependence on God are often honored by him with a name that He gives to them in love.

Attempting to make a name for one's self is ultimately the sin that doomed our first parents, Adam and Eve. The serpent's temptation appealed to the desire to be like God and be the ones who decide what is good and evil.

Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." (Genesis 3:4,5 NKJV)

Sadly, the sinful desire to make for one's self a name and thus sin against God whose name alone is worthy did not stop with Adam and Eve, but continued throughout biblical history. The story of the Tower of Babel is even more explicit:

Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. Then they said to one another, "Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly." They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. And they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth." (Genesis 11:1-4 NKJV)

Of course, we know the rest of story of how God saw this arrogant attempt and stopped it by confusing the languages and scattering mankind all over the face of the earth. Even this however, could not stop Man in his pride from trying to exalt himself and make for himself a name, like those original people did at Babel. Other examples of individuals trying to make a name for themselves also include:



-The king of Babylon (whom some commentators think was a type of Satan in his initial rebellion)

"How you are fallen from heaven,
O Lucifer, son of the morning!
How you are cut down to the ground,
You who weakened the nations!
For you have said in your heart:
‘I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;
I will also sit on the mount of the congregation
On the farthest sides of the north;
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,
I will be like the Most High.’
Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol,
To the lowest depths of the Pit.

　

- The King of Tyre (who also is thought by some to be a type of the Devil)

The word of the Lord came to me again, saying, 2 "Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, ‘Thus says the Lord God:

"Because your heart is lifted up,
And you say, ‘I am a god,
I sit in the seat of gods,
In the midst of the seas,’
Yet you are a man, and not a god,
Though you set your heart as the heart of a god...‘Therefore thus says the Lord God:

"Because you have set your heart as the heart of a god,
7 Behold, therefore, I will bring strangers against you,
The most terrible of the nations;
And they shall draw their swords against the beauty of your wisdom,
And defile your splendor.
8 They shall throw you down into the Pit,
And you shall die the death of the slain
In the midst of the seas (Ezekiel 28:1,2;6-8 NKJV)

　

-Nebuchadnezzar

All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. At the end of the twelve months he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon. The king spoke, saying, "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?"

While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven: "King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses."

That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.

　

-Herod

Now Herod had been very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; but they came to him with one accord, and having made Blastus the king’s personal aide their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was supplied with food by the king’s country.

So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. And the people kept shouting, "The voice of a god and not of a man!" Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died.

But the word of God grew and multiplied. (Acts 12:20-24 NKJV)

　

-The Man of Sin

Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 NKJV)

　

These examples show that ultimately what lies at the heart of sin and rebellion against the creator God is the desire to take from Him the glory that is due Him, and replace it with a self-styled glory that comes from prideful self-aggrandizement. The only end of this is total, unrelenting, and eternal destruction. In fact, in all the above cited Scriptures, that destruction is always declared and/or carried out.



Contrast this however with a different kind of name; a name given only by grace. This is a name that is not self-given, but rather a name that God Himself gives to His people who turn from making a name for themselves, but rather glory only in God's name and turn away from self-glorying.





-Abraham

Now the Lord had said to Abram:

"Get out of your country,
From your family
And from your father’s house,
To a land that I will show you.
I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." (Genesis 12:1-3 NKJV)

　

-Jacob

And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed." (Genesis 32:28 NKJV)

　

-David

But it happened that night that the word of God came to Nathan, saying, "Go and tell My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: "You shall not build Me a house to dwell in. For I have not dwelt in a house since the time that I brought up Israel, even to this day, but have gone from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle to another. Wherever I have moved about with all Israel, have I ever spoken a word to any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people, saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar–’"’ Now therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: "I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people Israel. And I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and have made you a name like the name of the great men who are on the earth. Moreover I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own and move no more; nor shall the sons of wickedness oppress them anymore, as previously, since the time that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel. Also I will subdue all your enemies. Furthermore I tell you that the Lord will build you a house. (1 Chronicles 17:3-10 NKJV)

　

-Zerubabbel

‘In that day,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘I will take you, Zerubbabel My servant, the son of Shealtiel,’ says the Lord, ‘and will make you like a signet ring; for I have chosen you,’ says the Lord of hosts." (Haggai 2:23 NKJV)

　

-Joshua the High Priest

Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. And the Lord said to Satan, "The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?"

Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel.

Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, "Take away the filthy garments from him." And to him He said, "See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes."

And I said, "Let them put a clean turban on his head."

So they put a clean turban on his head, and they put the clothes on him. And the Angel of the Lord stood by.  (Zechariah 3:1-5 NKJV)

　

As we come to the New Testament, we find that much the same theme continues. Those who entrust themselves in humble faith and obedience to God are endowed by Him with names and/or precious legacies. Our Lord Jesus Himself was exalted with the name that is above every name because of His obedience to God; even obedience to the point of death on the cross (Philippians 2:5-11). Simon was given the name Peter meaning "rock", after his confession of faith in Jesus as the Messiah, which Jesus said would be the rock upon which His Church is built (Matthew 16:13-20). John was dubbed "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (John 13:23; 21:7; 20).



As for Christians throughout history and today, the Scriptures are replete with the blessed names and titles given to God's covenant people in both testaments. Christians are called saints (Daniel 7:27; Romans 1:7), children (1 John 3:1), a Kingdom of/and Priests (Exodus 19:6; Revelation 1:6; 5:10). Our Good Shepherd Himself knows His sheep by name (John 10:3). All of these names and more come to God's own people; those who humble themselves before Him and seek not to make a name for themselves, but who seek to make God's name great throughout the earth. These are the ones who pray that God's name would be hallowed (Matthew 6:9). And as we pray and labor for God's name to be made great, He in His greatness and love, bestows upon us with names and titles that no one can take away.

A Few Reflections From My Recent Trip North

About a week and a half ago, my family and I returned from our trip up north to both Philadelphia and Cincinnati.  I, my wife Katie, and the two kids got in the car and drove up and back.  It was a long trip both ways to be sure, but I thought I would share some highlights as well as some things that I learned about myself and the ministry along the way.


Firstly, a few bits of trivia:


- I hate bridges and mountains!  I guess I have a fear of heights.  Thankfully, I was able to avoid the Delaware Memorial, Ben Franklin, and Walt Whitman bridges.  On the other hand, I did have to drive through the mountains in western Pennsylvania, and on the way back through eastern Kentucky and Tennesse.  I'll say this; if I ever see the Pennsylvania Turnpike again, it'll be too soon.


- It is COLD up north!  Even in late March it was still around 30 degrees in Philadelphia.  I am really thankful that I live in Florida and now have a small understanding of why people snow bird in Florida.




- With small kids, anytime you stop, plan on it being at least an hour.


- I really like those quaint little towns in eastern Pennsylvania like Lancaster and Ephrata.  We saw our share of Amish people on horse and buggy.


- I got to see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.  It was really cool to be inside the building where my nation's independence was born.


- Yes I climbed the Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.  I hummed that theme to myself the whole way up.


- The food in Cincinnati is pretty awesome.  Toward the end of our trip, some dear friends of my wife's took us to a place called The Montgomery Inn.  Their ribs are spectacular.  If you're ever in Cincinnati, do yourself a favor and go.


-The Creation Museum in Petersburg, Kentucky was really cool too!  Katie's friends Don and Gabby O'Connell took us the day before we left.  My favorite part was the planetarium.  Reflecting on the sheer vastness of space and the distances between stars and galaxies was truly mind-boggling!






Secondly, I learned a few things about myself and the nature of the Christian ministry while in Philadelphia from my friend and mentor, Pastor Earl Wright of The Church of God in the Word.  Pastor Wright spoke to us about the seriousness of the Christian ministry and the high calling it is for a man to enter it.  We spoke of how easy it can be to fall into moral failure, the high standards overseers are called to, and how important it is for a man to have the full support of his wife.


It was confirmed in me that I do indeed have a genuine calling of God into full-time Christian ministry and that this is what I will continue to pursue in my life.  I believe that Lord is calling me specifically to somewhere in the northern part of the Tampa Bay area to minister.  A few years ago, I was leading worship in a Vineyard church in Inverness, Florida and when that fell through left the area to come to St. Petersburg.  The truth is I was very sad to leave the area and I believe now that it was a mistake.  It is very possible and likely that the Lord is even now leading me back to that area in the very near future. 


I also learned that I am not yet qualified for the Christian ministry.  Pastor Earl and I discussed the qualifications for an Overseer in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.  I am just not there yet.  I still have much work to do in bringing some of those areas under control.


Lastly, I really enjoyed the fellowship, the prayers, the opportunity to preach, and also the opportunity to meet Charles Smoot in Lancaster; a fellow brother in the Association of Charismatic Reformed Churches.  I do hope to find my way back up to eastern Pennsylvania again, not only to fellowship with brothers Earl and Charles, but also because my Mom and Dad are moving up there too. 


Anyway, sometimes it is good to get away and take a retreat to learn things about oneself.  Especially for me right now as I prepare to turn 30 this month.  I pray that God will continue to bless me and my family and to form us into the image of His Son.  My hope is always to glorify Him in whatever circumstance.  The ministry and the Church belong to Jesus and He puts just the right people in place.  I pray that He will find in me a willing vessel to be used for His purposes.

The Word and Power Church Outline



The following is my outline from the message I gave recently in Philadelphia at The Church of God in the Word.  I hope it is beneficial to the reader.  You can listen to the message in its entirety here.

THE WORD AND POWER CHURCH

An Outline by Christian Edmiston

I. How could we define the Word and Power Church?


A. The Word and Power Church is a fellowship of Christians committed to both the supremacy of the Bible as God's Word and the Gospel it proclaims, while also praying for and expecting the same to be accompanied by spiritual gifts and other acts of power through the Holy Spirit.

1. I prefer the phrase "Word and Power" over "Word and Spirit" mainly because I do not want to unintentionally give the impression that there is too much a distinction between the Holy Spirit and the Bible. The Holy Bible is the book that the Holy Spirit wrote. The words of the Bible are the words of the Holy Spirit.

2. It should also be pointed out that the Word and Power Church is also committed to the other means of grace available to the Church, particularly the Sacraments of water baptism and the Lord's Supper.


B. Before we go any further, we must be sure that the Bible teaches and expects churches to be committed to Word and Power. Let us turn to the New Testament. I want you all to notice Word and Power closely linked together in all these Scriptures (all emphases are mine):


1. Matthew 4:23 NASB

Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people.

2. Acts 2:42-44 NASB

They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common...

3. Romans 15:18,19

For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed, in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and round about as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

4. 1 Corinthians 2:1-4 NASB

And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power...

　

5. 1 Thessalonians 1:5a NASB

...For our Gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction...

6. 1 Timothy 4:13-15 NASB

Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands of the presbytery. Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.

7. 2 Timothy 1:6; 13,14 NASB

For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands...Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.

8. Hebrews 6:1-5

Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. And this we will do, if God permits. For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come...

9. James 1:21,22; 5:14,15

Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves...Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.

10. 1 Peter 2:2; 4:10 NASB

Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation...As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

11. 1 John 2:24; 4:1-6

As for you, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father...Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world. You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

　

II. What is "Word" About the Word and Power Church?


A. Now that I have established how the New Testament links Word and Power together, lets explore some ways in which such a church honors its commitment to the Word:

1. I usually think of the Word in two senses:
    a. The Gospel itself (Acts 14:3; 20:32)
    b. The Scriptures
    c. I will mainly be focusing on this second usage; the Scriptures.


2. The Word and Power Church is focused on accurately teaching and preaching the Bible alone and the doctrines contained theirin. Simply put, the word and power church emphasizes maintaining the pattern of sound doctrine that the Apostles taught the earliest churches and has been maintained throughout the history of the Church.

    a. 1 Timothy 4:6 NASB

In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.

    b. See also 1 Timothy 6:3 and 2 Timothy 1:13.


3. The Word and Power Church does not pay mere lip service to the importance of theology, but prizes the precious doctrines of the Bible.


4. The word and power church doesn't pit the Bible and the Holy Spirit against each other as if the Holy Spirit ever speaks contrary to the Bible. The word and power church is committed to Sola Scriptura. The Bible is the book that the Holy Spirit wrote, through human authors. If we want to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit, we hear it first in the Bible.

   


5. I favor a verse-by-verse expository preaching approach to preaching, but I do not believe that only this approach is glorifying to God or that topical preaching is substandard. Much of this depends of the gifts and background of the preacher/teacher, as well as the makeup of the congregation.




　
III. What is "Power" about the Word and Power Church?


A. The Word and Power Church is unapologetically and consistently continuationist. The word and power church denies any form of cessationism. Neither is it merely "open-but-cautious". 
 
B. The Word and Power Church understands that the gifts of the Holy Spirit and other manifestations of God's power are given for two primary purposes:


1. The building up and equipping of believers
    a. 1 Corinthians 12:7 NASB

But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

    b. 1 Corinthians 14:12 NASB

So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.

    c. Ephesians 4:11-16 NASB

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

    d. 1 Peter 4:10

As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

2. The second purpose is for power to fulfill the Great Commission given by Jesus before He ascended (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 24:46-49; John 20:21-23; Acts 1:8).


    a. Mark 16:15-18 NASB

And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

    b. Acts 1:8 NASB

...But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."

　

IV. So What is the Takeaway?


A. I believe that what I have shared is not only true, but also is worthy of investing in and exploring further. I hope that I have inspired you to think a little differently about how we can go about ministering to each other and to the world through the Church.