Christian Doctrine: The Doctrine of God : The Names of God in the New Testament.

Introduction

God Reveals Himself in the Names given to Him in the Bible. We have looked at the Names of God in the OT such as Elohim, El, E Elyon, Adonai and El Shaddai. Also we looked at the Most Revered Name of Jehovah or (YAHWEH) Exodus 3:14-15 which shows that He is unchangeable in His Covenant relationship and always faithful to fulfil His promises.The Jews would not Pronounce the NAME. They substituted Adonay = ‘Lord’, the Owner and Possessor of all things.

The Names of God in the New Testament.

These are the Greek translations of the Ot Names

1. The name Theos. This is simply the word for “God” in Greek. It is the most common name for God used in the New Testament.  Most often it is used with a possessive genitive such as “My God”, or “our God “.etc. In Christ God is the God of each one of His Children. This individual form takes the place of the “God of Israel”  as we have in the OT.
2. The name Kurios. This is the word for “Lord” which is applied to God and also to Christ in our Lord Jesus Christ. It takes the place of Adonay and Jehovah  but its meaning corresponds particularly to that of Adonay. This word also means master, owner and Possessor of all things. There was always the master of an estate or a property who had the right to tell what should or should not be. God is the Lord and Master and He has the right to tell what happens in His Universe as He is the Creator. He is the Owner.            Is He YOUR LORD?
3. The name Pater. It is often said the New Testament introduced this as a new name. But this is hardly correct, for the name “Father” is found in the OT to express the special relationship in which God stands to Israel.                                                                      Deu 32:6  Do you thus give back to Jehovah, Oh foolish and unwise people? Is He not your Father who bought you? Has He not made you and established you?                   Isa 63:16  For You are our Father, though Abraham does not know us, and Israel does not acknowledge us. You, O Jehovah, are our Father, our Redeemer; Your name is from everlasting.  In the New Testament it is more individual in that It points to God as the Father of all believers. Sometimes it designates God as the Creator of All.in earth (as there are many gods and many lords),                                                                           1Co 8:6  but there is to us only one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we by Him.             Eph 3:14  For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

4. Sometimes it is used for the First Person of the Trinity                                            .Mat 28:18  And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All authority is given to Me in Heaven and in earth.

Mat 28:19  Therefore go and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Mat 28:20  teaching them to observe all things, whatever I commanded you. And, behold, I am with you all the days until the end of the world. Amen.

Notes from The Summary of Christian Doctrine by Louis Berkhof

Learn These verses

Exo 20:7  You shall not take the name of Jehovah your God in vain. For Jehovah will not hold him guiltless that takes His name in vain.

Psa 8:1  To the Chief Musician, on the harp. A Psalm of David. O Jehovah our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth! You have set Your glory above the heavens!

Gen 1:1  In the beginning God (Elohim) created the heavens and the earth.

Exo 6:3  And I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty. (El Shaddai) But I was not known to them by the name JEHOVAH.

Mal 3:6  For I am Jehovah, I change not. Because of this you sons of Jacob are not destroyed.

Mat 6:9  Therefore pray in this way: Our Father, who is in Heaven, Hallowed be Your name.

Rev 4:8  And each one of the four living creatures had six wings about him, and within being full of eyes. And they had no rest day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord (Kurios) God, the Almighty, who was and is and is to come.

Almighty παντοκράτωρ pantokratōr Thayer Definition:

1) he who holds sway over all things

2) the ruler of all

3) almighty: God

Applications

We have learnt that in the New Testament He is “My God, theos” not just the God of Israel. We have a personal relationship with Him. Do you know Him.

He is the Lord  the Kurios. He owns all things in this universe even the air we breathe.  Have you acknowledge Him as lord. Have you handed over authority in your Life to the Lord?

He is the Father the Pater. What a truly wonderful image we have of our God. Do pray to your Heavenly Father