Name of God, significance of

God's name is synonymous with his person, his presence and his power, and is therefore held in the highest honour.

God is referred to as the Name

Acts 5:41 See also Leviticus 24:10–16; 2 Samuel 6:2 parallel 1 Chronicles 13:6; 3 John 1:7

The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.

God's person is revealed in his name

Exodus 34:5–7 See also Genesis 14:18–20, Genesis 17:1, Genesis 21:33, Genesis 32:29–30; Exodus 3:13–15, Exodus 6:3, Exodus 33:19; Judges 13:17–18; Jeremiah 16:21

And the LORD descended in a cloud, stood with him there, and proclaimed His name, the LORD. Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness, maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”

God's name is synonymous with his presence

Numbers 6:22–27 See also Deuteronomy 12:5–7; 1 Kings 8:15–21 parallel 2 Chronicles 6:4–11; Nehemiah 1:9; Psalm 20:1, Psalm 54:1, Psalm 74:7, Psalm 75:1; Isaiah 30:27; John 17:11–12

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons:This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: ‘May the LORD bless you and keep you; may the LORD cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the LORD lift up His countenance toward you and give you peace.’ So they shall put My name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”

The name of God identifies his people

Deuteronomy 28:10 See also 2 Chronicles 7:14; Isaiah 43:6–7; Micah 4:5, Micah 5:4

Then all the peoples of the earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will stand in awe of you.

Dishonouring God's name is a serious offence

Exodus 20:7 See also Leviticus 19:12, Leviticus 22:2, Leviticus 22:32; Psalm 74:10, Psalm 74:18, Psalm 139:20; Ezekiel 43:7–8; Malachi 1:6

You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave anyone unpunished who takes His name in vain.

The righteous honour God's name

Psalm 29:2 See also Nehemiah 1:11; Psalm 86:11–12; Isaiah 26:13; Malachi 2:5, Malachi 3:16–4:2

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness.

The name of Jesus Christ

Supplication is to be made in the name of Jesus Christ

John 14:13–14 See also Matthew 18:19–20; John 15:16, John 16:23–24

And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me for anything in My name, I will do it.

Healing and other miracles performed in the name of Jesus Christ

Acts 3:6–8 See also Acts 3:16, Acts 4:30

But Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!” Taking him by the right hand, Peter helped him up, and at once the man’s feet and ankles were made strong. He sprang to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and leaping and praising God.

Baptism is in Jesus Christ's name

Acts 2:38 See also Matthew 28:19; Acts 8:12, Acts 8:15–16, Acts 10:48, Acts 19:5

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Salvation is in the name of Jesus Christ

Acts 4:12 See also John 14:6, John 20:31; Acts 2:21; Joel 2:32; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 1 John 2:12; Philippians 2:9–11

Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”