Name of God

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Lead Pastor Wes Terry gives the Kingsmen Bible Study on the Divine Names.

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INTRODUCTION

One of the things I’m predicting for 2025 is a resurgence in Western Culture’s “belief in God.”
When I was growing up, the New Atheism was growing in popularity. Debates between big names like Dawkins and William Lane Craig were all the rave.
The secularization of the West had Christianity on the defense as Islamic radicalism began to grow and eventually take over the middle east.
The problem is, the death of God in a culture doesn’t kill the idea of God it only changes the God the culture worships. .
Cultural Christianity was replaced with critical theory and an increasingly transgressive sex cult that has come to a head in the last several years.
For the past year we’ve seen an increasing rejection of this counterfeit cultural religion.
People are starting to reengage with fresh eyes and ears the truth claims of Christianity.
The popularity of men like Jordan Peterson and the conversion of public intellectuals like Ayaan Hirsi Ali have put new Atheism on the defensive.
Even great atheist like Richard Dawkins are confessing themselves as “cultural Christians.

Whether VS Who?

But even though our culture is becoming increasing more comfortable with the idea THAT God is, we’re as confused as we’ve ever been of WHO God is.
The question of “whether” God is increasing affirmed. The question of WHO God is is increasingly opaque.
The last few times that we’ve been together we’ve been explore big ideas and big truths in the world of Christian theology.
We’ve looked at concepts like the Trinity and the Hypostatic union of Jesus Christ. We’ve also explored question fo Hermenuics or how to study the Bible.
But as we enter into a new year I want to try and whet your appetites to increase your knowledge of WHO God is.
For the eight weeks of the campaign we’ll explore particular “names” of God from the Old or New Testaments.

What’s In A Name?

What’s in a name anyway? Names are actually really important in both Old and New Testament.
People had a tendency to live into their names. A person’s name reveals a lot about their character.
This came home for me the other day studying the book of Ruth.
Naomi’s name meant pleasant until her suffering caused her to change it to Mara which meant bitter.
Her two sons were named Mahlon and Chilion which means sickly and frailty. Living up to their names they die at a young age because they were sickly and frail.
Ruth means friend (and that she was)
Orpha means “back of neck” and that’s exactly what she showed when she turned back towards her home town.
On and on we could go. A person’s name reveals a lot about their character.
Interestingly, it’s not the letters themselves but how the letters point beyond themselves towards the person who embodies that title.

Personal Relational Being

When people talk about the doctrine of God they almost immediately jump into his characteristics and divine nature.
But when Scripture addresses the doctrine of God it does so with Divine Names.
There’s actually a list of 187 divine names that survived in a seventh century Byzantine collection of writings.
In the sixth century there was a work entitled “The Divine Names” ascribed to Pseudo-Dionysius.
Both documents establish that the early Christians understood the doctrine of God by examine the names of God as they’re revealed in Scripture.
The fact that God HAS a single name much less more than one sheds light on his divine nature.
God’s names establish that he is a PERSONAL, RELATIONAL BEING.
Each of these words has significance.
First God is personal.
By personal I don’t mean he’s human like you and I. He is wholly other than us because he is eternally existent and independent of his creation.
However he is personal in that has a reasoning mind and free will and exercises that will as he sees fit.
The fact that we are created in God’s image is what gives us a similar kind of volition.
It’s something we receive FROM God because our personhood is made in the same image as his own.
But he’s not just personal he’s relational.
God has eternally existed in a triune relationship between Father, Son and Holy Sprit - a trinitarian dance of love and relational harmony.
He not only relates to himself eternally in the trinity but he also relates to his creation.
The Spirit of God hovered over the waters in Genesis 1:1.
God related to mankind when he breathed the breath of life into his lungs.
Even before the foundation of the world he planned the incarnation and the work of Christ to reconcile himself to sinners who couldn’t save themselves.
The fact that God chose to reveal himself to many different people in many different ways through many different names shows that he is not only personal but also relational.
Many of those names are expressly relational such as “my shepherd” or “our Father.”
His relational nature doesn’t mean he DEPENDS on his creation but it does show that he loves and desires relationship with us.
Finally God is a “being.”
This is the part of the definition that high flying academics seem to struggle with this days.
When guys like Jordan Peterson are pressed on the question of God’s existence they say things like “I live as if God exists.”
They seem to treat the idea of God like an evolutionary meme or archetype that has utility whether God is a “being in” in nature or a “being above and beyond it.”
But the Bible reveals God as BOTH of those things. He is a being that really exists in the world, particularly in the incarnation and resurrection of Jesus, a historical event that really happened.

Old Testament Names

The last thing that the names of God show us is that he reveals his personal relational essence in a progressive way.
God reveals to Adam differently than he does to Abraham. He reveals himself to Moses differently than he does to Isaiah or Jeremiah.
With each generation God reveals more and more about himself.
The Lord actually explains this to Moses in Exodus 6:3-4
Exodus 6:3–4 CSB
3 I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as God Almighty, but I was not known to them by my name ‘the Lord.’ 4 I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, the land they lived in as aliens.
Two names of God are used in this text. “El Shaddai” and “Yahweh.”

El – The Mighty God

The name El means “God” and often appears in its plural form, Elohim, throughout the Old Testament.
It shows up 2,600 times, with over 2,000 of those referring to the God of Israel. For example:
Genesis 1:1: “In the beginning God (Elohim) created the heavens and the earth.”
Interestingly, Elohim can also refer to false gods (Exodus 15:11) or divine beings in Yahweh’s heavenly assembly (Psalm 82:1).
However, when tied to Israel's God, it emphasizes His power and majesty.
Several titles of God are built on El to reveal specific aspects of His nature:
El Roi (The God Who Sees) – Genesis 16:13
El Shaddai (God Almighty) – Genesis 17:1
El Olam (The Eternal God) – Genesis 21:33
El Elyon (God Most High) – Daniel 3:26
Each name reflects how God relates to His people and His creation.

Yahweh – The Covenant Name of God

Yahweh is the most common name for God in the Old Testament, appearing about 6,800 times.
This is the personal, covenant name God revealed to Moses at the burning bush:
Exodus 3:14-15: “God replied to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.’”
The name Yahweh comes from the Hebrew verb "to be" (hyh), emphasizing God's eternal nature and faithfulness.
It can be translated as:
"I am who I am,""I will be who I will be,"Or even, "I will be who I was."
While Yahweh was revealed to Moses in Exodus, the name appears earlier in Genesis.
Moses, writing Genesis, used Yahweh retroactively to describe God’s interactions with His people.
For example: Genesis 2:4:
Genesis 12:8: Abram “built an altar to the LORD (Yahweh) and called on the name of the LORD.”
Although the patriarchs used the name Yahweh, Exodus 6:3 clarifies that they primarily experienced God as El Shaddai(God Almighty) and did not fully grasp the depth of His covenant name.

Titles Built on Yahweh’s Name

Here are some key titles that build on the name Yahweh, highlighting specific ways God relates to His people:
Yahweh Elohim – The LORD God (Genesis 2:4)
Yahweh Yireh – The LORD Will Provide (Genesis 22:14)
Yahweh Rophe – The LORD Who Heals You (Exodus 15:26)
Yahweh Nissi – The LORD Is My Banner (Exodus 17:15)
Yahweh Shalom – The LORD Is Peace (Judges 6:24)
Yahweh Roiy – The LORD Is My Shepherd (Psalm 23:1)
Yahweh Tsidqenu – The LORD Is Our Righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6)
Yahweh Shammah – The LORD Is There (Ezekiel 48:35)
Yahweh Sabaoth – The LORD of Armies (Zechariah 4:6)
Each name reveals God’s character and faithfulness in specific situations, showing how He meets His people’s needs.

Takeaway

God’s names aren’t just titles—they reveal His nature and His commitment to His people.
Knowing God as El Shaddai, the Almighty, or Yahweh Yireh, the Provider, reminds us that the same God who created the universe knows and cares for us personally.
As you reflect on these names, ask yourself: How has God revealed His name in your life? How does knowing these names encourage your faith today?

Adonai – My Lord

Another key name for God is Adonai, which means "my Lord."
This name comes from the Hebrew word ’ādôn (lord, master) combined with a possessive suffix, making it personal—"my Lord."
Usage:
The word ’ādôn can refer to both human masters and God.
Adonai appears frequently in the Masoretic Text (the Hebrew manuscripts of the Old Testament).
Connection to Yahweh:
In some places, the vowels of Adonai were placed under YHWH in the Hebrew text.
This practice allowed readers to say Adonai instead of speaking God’s covenant name, Yahweh, which was considered too sacred to utter aloud.
Examples in Scripture:
Isaiah 6:8, 11: “Then I heard the voice of the Lord (Adonai) asking: Who will I send? Who will go for us?”
Malachi 3:1: “See, I am going to send my messenger, and he will clear the way before me. Then the Lord (Adonai) you seek will suddenly come to his temple.”
Prayers to Adonai Yahweh ("Sovereign LORD") are found in the lives of key figures like Abram, Moses, Joshua, Gideon, Samson, and David (e.g., Genesis 15:2; Deuteronomy 9:26; Joshua 7:7; Judges 6:22; 16:28; 2 Samuel 7:18).
Takeaway: The name Adonai emphasizes God’s role as our sovereign master, one who commands our reverence and submission.
Beyond Adonai and Yahweh, many other titles and descriptions of God in Scripture highlight His attributes and actions:
Holy God (hoʾĕlōhîm haqādōš):
1 Samuel 6:20: “Who can stand in the presence of the Lord, this holy God?”
Emphasizes God's purity and transcendence.
Lord of Lords (’ădōnê hā’ădōnîm):
Psalm 136:3: “Give thanks to the Lord of lords. His faithful love endures forever.”
Declares God’s supremacy over all other rulers and powers.
True God, Living God, Eternal King:
Jeremiah 10:10: “But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God and eternal King.”
Contrasts the living, active God with mute, lifeless idols.

Metaphors and Descriptions of God

The Bible often uses metaphors to describe God’s character and His relationship with His people.
These metaphors convey profound truths about who God is:
Warrior:
Exodus 15:3: “The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name.”
Highlights God’s power and His active role in defending and delivering His people.
Rock:
Psalm 18:2: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer.”
Depicts God’s strength, stability, and protection.
Father:
Isaiah 63:16: “Yet you are our Father, even though Abraham does not know us and Israel doesn’t recognize us. You, Lord, are our Father; your name is our Redeemer from ancient times.”
Reflects God’s nurturing and compassionate relationship with His people.
Creator:
Ecclesiastes 12:1: “So remember your Creator in the days of your youth.”
Affirms God as the origin of life and existence.
The Holy One of Israel:
Isaiah 1:4: “They have abandoned the Lord; they have despised the Holy One of Israel; they have turned their backs on him.”
Stresses God’s uniqueness and His relationship with His covenant people.

Takeaway

The name Adonai reminds us of God’s sovereign authority, and His many other titles reveal His power, holiness, and relational nature.
God is not only our Lord and Master but also our Rock, Father, and Creator.
These names and metaphors encourage us to trust in His character and submit to His rule. As we encounter these names in Scripture, we’re called to deepen our awe, worship, and reliance on Him.

New Testament Names

God (Theos)

In the New Testament, the Greek word for God, theos, parallels the Old Testament name El.
Like El, theos can refer to a deity in general or to the one true God.
Translators use capitalization to differentiate: "god" for false deities and "God" for the triune God—Father, Son, and Spirit.
Scripture Examples of God’s Attributes and Identity:
God of Israel: Matthew 15:31 – "And they gave glory to the God of Israel."
God of Hope: Romans 15:13 – "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe."
God of Peace: Romans 15:33 – "May the God of peace be with all of you."
God of All Comfort: 2 Corinthians 1:3 – "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort."
God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob: “…has glorified his servant Jesus…” in His resurrection (Acts 3:13).
Paul understood that his worship of Jesus aligned with the God revealed in Hebrew Scripture:
Acts 24:14: "I worship the God of my ancestors as a follower of the Way."
Though theos typically refers to God the Father, some New Testament passages explicitly use it for Jesus, affirming His deity:
John 1:18: "The one and only Son, who is himself God."
Romans 9:5: "Christ came, who is God over all, praised forever."
(John 1:1, 18; 20:28; Acts 20:28; Rom 9:5; Titus 2:13; Heb 1:8–9; 2 Pet 1:1; 1 John 5:20)
Takeaway: Theos emphasizes God’s role as the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, affirming His consistent identity across the Old and New Testaments.

Lord (Kyrios)

In the Greco-Roman world, kyrios ("lord") was a title used in various ways:
A respectful address (e.g., "sir"). A reference to human masters or divine beings. Earthly rulers, including claims to divinity (e.g., Caesar).
The New Testament writers used kyrios to translate Yahweh, God’s covenant name, as found in the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament).
For Jews and early Christians, kyrios became the confession of Jesus as Lord, refusing to attribute this title to Caesar.
Scripture Examples of Kyrios Referring to Jesus:
Matthew 21:9: "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord."
Romans 10:9-13: "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
Philippians 2:9-11: "At the name of Jesus every knee will bow... and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord."
These OT YHWH texts refer to Jesus at Kyrios: Rom 10:13 (Joel 2:32); Rom 14:11 (Isa 45:23); 1 Cor 1:31 (Jer 9:23–24); 1 Cor 2:16 (Isa 40:13); 1 Cor 10:26 (Ps 24:1); and 2 Cor 10:17 (Jer 9:23–34).
Takeaway: The New Testament connects the Old Testament title Yahweh with Jesus as Kyrios, affirming His divine identity and authority as Lord.

Father (Pater)

The name Father highlights God’s relationship as Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer.
While the Old Testament refers to God as "Father" in a covenantal sense (Isaiah 63:16; 64:8), the New Testament deepens this relational understanding through Jesus.
Scripture Examples of God as Father:
Creator and Sustainer: 1 Corinthians 8:6: "There is but one God, the Father. All things are from him, and we exist for him."
Father of Mercies: 2 Corinthians 1:3: "The Father of mercies and the God of all comfort."
Father of Lights (Unchanging): James 1:17: "The Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
Jesus frequently referred to God as "Father," emphasizing both intimacy and authority:
John 12:28: "Father, glorify your name."
Matthew 6:9: "Our Father in heaven, your name be honored as holy."
Believers, through Christ, are invited into this relationship as children of God:
John 1:12: "But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God."
Romans 8:15: "You received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father!'"
Takeaway: God as Pater emphasizes His role as a loving and unchanging Father. Through Jesus, believers experience the intimacy of adoption and the assurance of God’s eternal care.

Conclusion: God Revealed in the New Testament

In the New Testament, God’s names and titles reveal His character, relationship with His people, and ultimate plan of redemption:
As Theos, He is Creator and Redeemer.
As Kyrios, He is Lord over all, fulfilling Yahweh’s covenant promises through Jesus.
As Pater, He is the loving Father who adopts believers into His family through Christ.
These names build on the Old Testament revelation, deepening our understanding of God’s unchanging nature and His desire for a relationship with His people.
Let the name of Jesus, given the highest honor, lead us to worship the God who has made Himself known.
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