Below are listed The Name of God, along with three primary desinations. We will just concentrate, for this paper, on the primary Name of God.
N.B. God Himself gives this terminology. As such, it is not the inventions of men about God. It is, however, self revelation about God Himself that can give us some light and insight into the very nature of the God of the universe, the God INTO whose Name we are baptized.
יהוה
Yhvh (i.e. יְהוֹה, Yehovah or יַהְוֶה, Yahveh) (217d); from H1933b; the proper name of the God of Israel:—GOD (314), LORD (6399), LORD’S (111).
Typically translated Lord, this name is used only of the true God in the Bible. It is God’s “proper name par excellence”[75] (see: Ex 15:2-3; Ps 83:18; Hosea 12:5; Isa 42:8)
This name was thought to be so holy that Jews of old would not pronounce even the word.[76]
The meaning of the word, although there is some dispute, is generally agreed by all to come from the root meaning “to be.” Thus it would refer to God as “The Existent One.”
Typically it is a Hebrew “qal” form meaning “He is.”
This name represents Moses’ statement to the people regarding God’s self-revelations, “I am that I am.” Thus it would carry the ideas of “eternity, absoluteness and self-existence.”[77] In the first, “to be” places emphasis on His “ontological truth”—that is His basic nature. The second “He is” places emphasis on the name as “dynamic truth”—that is His relationship to His people. Since God’s nature is in fact one, it could be said, the nature of God is revealed by the name, while He relationship to His people is underscored by that name.
8.1.2. SOME NT REFERENCES TO GOD’S NAME
q Luke 11:2: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
q Luke 21:8: Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, “I am He,” and, “The time has drawn near.” Therefore do not go after them.
q Rev 3:12: He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. An I will write on him My new name.
q Rev 14:1: Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and fourth-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads.
q Rev 19:12: His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.
q Rev 19:13: He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
q Rev 19:16: And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Essential Properties
Attributes are essential properties that are intrinsic to the element under discussion. It is the basic way in which that element can be distinguished or identified in contrast or comparison with other elements that are not the same.
8.2.1. Incommunicable Attributes of God
q Aseity: the self existence of God
q Immutability: the unchangeableness of God
q Infinity: God is not limited by anything
q Perfection: God is Holy, powerful, love, truth, righteousness, and knowledge. God is complete, finished. There is nothing lacking in God. There are no defects
q Eternity: With respect to time, God transcends all limitations of time. He always was, will always be.
q Immensity—Omnipresence. With respect to space, there are no limitations to God. He can be everywhere at any time, all the time.
q Unity—Simplicity: Numerically God is one and uniquely one. There are no other gods besides YHWH. Simplistically means God is qualitatively one as well. There is no division within God
8.2.2. Communicable Attributes of God
q Spirituality: God is a spirit.
q Life: Because God is a spiritual being, He possesses life within Himself.
q Personality: God is self conscious and self determining. He possesses an infinite degree of intellect, sensibility and will.
q Intellectual attributes: Knowledge, veracity (truth and truthfulness), wisdom,
q Moral attributes: the goodness, the holiness and righteousness of God. Also includes love, grace, mercy
q Sovereignty: God’s is sovereign in both will and power.
8.3. Making and Being a Disciple
8.3.1. Making a Disciple—The Process
It is clear from the text of Matt 28:19,20 that making a disciple is basically a two-step process: 1) baptizing, and 2) teaching. The baptizing is the outward symbol or rite that corresponds to a “new birth”; is a one-time event; and reflects the initial entry of a new believer into the Body of Christ. The teaching is an on going process that corresponds to the maturing of a new baby up to adulthood.
A Disciple is:
q Fruit bearing: John 15:5. By this is my father glorified that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
q A Continuer in the Word: John 8:31. If you continue in My word, then are you truly my disciples and you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.
q A Lover of the One-anothers: John 14:34,35. A new commandment I give unto you that you love one another…. By this shall all men know that you are My disciples if you have love for one another.
q One who Loves God more than all others, including himself: Luke 14:26. The one who wants to be My follower must love Me far more than he does his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, or sisters—yes, more than his own life—otherwise he cannot be My disciple.
q Wiling to carry his own cross (suffer for Jesus): Luke 14:27. And no one can be My disciple who does not carry his own cross and follow me.
q One who forsakes all things for Christ: Luke 14:33. So no one can be My disciple unless he forsakes all and follows Me.
Consequently, the “teaching” part of making a disciple must involve building in the above six characteristics (or disciplines) into the life of the new believer.
Q. But how can we make a disciple unless we are a disciple? It is very difficult at best, if not impossible. So we must first build these disciplines into our own lives before (or at least simultaneous with) building them into the life of the new believer, if we are not to be a hypocrite.
A fruitful study would be to document all the commands Jesus gave primarily to His disciples and through them to us.
Examples:
q A new commandment I give unto you that you love one another, as I have loved you that you also love one another. By this shall all men know that you are My disciples if you have love one for another. John 14:34, 35.
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