Christian: What’s your name?

Not too long ago, I engaged in a conversation with a group of remarkable men. Among the subjects that arose during our discussion, one particularly intriguing topic was the significance held within a name. This theme provoked profound reflection and interest within me. As our discussion delved deeper into this matter, one of the gentlemen brought to light the instances in which God or Jesus—or both—altered names within the pages of the Bible.

While I had been exposed to these stories from my early days in Sunday School, their underlying reasons remained a mystery to me. The question of what is the meaning of a specific name, what is even in a name, or why names were altered instead of retained piqued my curiosity.

“In a name” refers to the idea that a name holds significance and meaning beyond just being a label. Names can carry cultural, historical, familial, and personal connotations. They often hold stories, emotions, and connections that go beyond their literal pronunciation or spelling. A name can shape perceptions, influence interactions, and even impact a person’s sense of identity and self-esteem.

Additionally, names can help define an individual within society, creating a sense of belonging and identity. People often associate certain characteristics or attributes with specific names, which can lead to assumptions or stereotypes. Conversely, unique, or unusual names can set individuals apart and be a source of individuality.

In literature, philosophy, and art, the idea of the power of a name is often explored. From Shakespeare’s “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet” to discussions about the true nature of identity, the significance of names is a recurring theme.

In many religious traditions, names are seen as more than mere labels; they are tied to spiritual identity, purpose, and connection to the divine. They can carry blessings, prayers, and intentions from parents or religious leaders, and they often reflect the faith’s core teachings and values. In Christianity, names often hold theological significance by conveying deeper meanings, reflecting aspects of faith, and emphasizing key theological concepts.

The name “Jesus” means “savior” or “God saves,” which is central to Christian belief in Jesus Christ as the savior of humanity. Jesus comes from the Greek form of the Hebrew name “Yeshua” or “Joshua,” which means “Yahweh is salvation.” This name emphasizes Jesus Christ’s role as the Savior who brings salvation and redemption to humanity, fulfilling the central message of Christianity.

The name “Mary” holds strong theological significance due to its association with the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus. The name itself has various meanings in different cultures, but its connection to Mary reflects her unique role in Christianity as the chosen vessel through whom Jesus was born.

Biblical figures like Abraham (“father of many”), Isaac (“laughter”), and Joshua (“the Lord is salvation”) exemplify this practice of names conveying a deeper meaning. The name “Immanuel” is derived from the Hebrew words “Immanu” (with us) and “El” (God), meaning “God is with us.” This name is prophesied in the Old Testament (Isaiah 7:14) and is associated with the belief that God became incarnate in Jesus Christ, symbolizing God’s presence among humanity.

But what about the names that change in the Bible? How do those changes hold significance? The name “Peter” (Greek: “Petros”) means “rock.” Jesus referred to the apostle Simon as “Peter” and said, “Upon this ROCK I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). This name highlights Peter’s foundational role in the early Christian church and accentuates his leadership and authority.

“Paul” means “small” or “humble” in Latin. The apostle Paul, previously known as Saul, underwent a transformation from a persecutor of Christians to a fervent follower of Christ. His name change signifies his spiritual rebirth and the humility he embraced in service to God.

In the Gospels, there is an account of a tax collector named Levi who became a disciple of Jesus. In the Gospel of Matthew, Levi’s name is changed to Matthew, which means “gift of God.” This new name symbolized his transformation and his role as an apostle and one of the Gospel writers.

In Mark and Luke, they specify his name; “As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.” (Mark 2:14) . “After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.” (Luke 5:27-28)

These name changes often carried deeper meanings and signified transformative experiences or significant roles in the early Christian community. They highlighted the individuals’ spiritual rebirth, their new purpose in following Jesus, and the important roles they would play in spreading the teachings of Christianity.

“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

-Bradley-