What is His Son’s Name? Understanding the Name of Jesus Christ

This sermon explores the profound meaning behind Matthew 28:19’s baptismal formula, arguing that “the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” refers to one name: Jesus Christ. The pastor demonstrates through extensive biblical evidence that the Father’s name (Yahweh/Jehovah) is contained within the Son’s name (Yeshua/Jesus, meaning “Yahweh is salvation”), and that “Christ” signifies His anointing with the Holy Spirit. Rather than supporting a Trinity doctrine, this verse reveals how God invested His complete character, authority, and presence in His Son. The sermon emphasizes that Jesus is not a “lesser God” but worthy of equal honor with the Father, as He embodies the fullness of the Father’s character and is the only way to salvation. The book of Acts confirms this understanding, showing believers were consistently baptized “in the name of Jesus Christ.”

Key Points:

  • Matthew 28:19 speaks of one name containing the Father, Son, and Spirit, not three separate names
  • The Hebrew name “Michael” (meaning “who is like God”) contains “El” (God), showing the Father’s name in the Son
  • Jesus (Yeshua) means “Yahweh is salvation,” literally containing the Father’s name
  • “Christ” means “anointed one,” referring to Jesus being anointed with the Holy Spirit at baptism
  • Exodus 23:20-21 states God’s name would be “in” the angel (Jesus) who led Israel
  • The Father’s character, authority, and Spirit dwelt fully in Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:9)
  • Biblical names represented character and identity, not just labels
  • Jesus inherited a “more excellent name” from His Father (Hebrews 1:4)
  • Throughout the New Testament, believers were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ
  • We are to honor the Son equally with the Father (John 5:23)
  • All spiritual activities—prayer, healing, gathering, sanctification—are done in Jesus’ name

Scripture References from the Sermon

Explicitly Mentioned Scripture References:

  1. 1 John 5:7-8 – Discussed as controversial verse used to prove Trinity doctrine
  2. Matthew 28:19 – Main focus verse about baptizing in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
  3. Proverbs 30:4 – “What is his name, and what is his son’s name?”
  4. Genesis 1:26 – “Let us make man in our image”
  5. Revelation 12:7, 9 – War in heaven, Michael and his angels
  6. Exodus 23:20-21 – Angel with God’s name in him
  7. Luke 1:31 – “Thou shalt call his name Jesus”
  8. Luke 1:34-35 – Holy Spirit overshadowing Mary; “shall be called the Son of God”
  9. Matthew 1:23 – “They shall call his name Emmanuel”
  10. Matthew 1:21 – “Thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins”
  11. Hebrews 1:4 – Obtained a more excellent name by inheritance
  12. John 14:10, 11, 20 – “I am in the Father and the Father in me”
  13. John 17:21, 23 – Unity of Father and Son
  14. Colossians 2:9 – “In him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily”
  15. Matthew 21:9 – Triumphal entry, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord”
  16. 1 John 1:3 – Fellowship with the Father and His Son
  17. 1 John 2:23 (mentioned as John chapter 2) – Regarding the anointing
  18. John 5:23 – “Honor the Son even as they honor the Father”
  19. John 3:17-18 – Believing in the name of the only begotten Son of God
  20. Hebrews 1:9 – Anointed with the oil of gladness
  21. Luke 4:18 – “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me”

Additional References Listed (without being read in full):

  1. Matthew 18:20 – Gather in His name
  2. Luke 9:48 – Ask in His name
  3. John 14:26 – Holy Spirit sent in Jesus’ name
  4. John 15:26 – Ask the Father in Jesus’ name
  5. John 16:23, 26 – Ask in His name
  6. Acts 2:38 – Baptized in the name of Jesus
  7. Acts 3:6 – Peter healed in the name of Jesus
  8. Acts 4:18 – Told not to teach in Jesus’ name
  9. Acts 5:40 – Commanded not to speak in Jesus’ name
  10. Acts 8:12 – Philip preached about the name of Jesus
  11. Acts 8:16 – Baptized in the name of Jesus
  12. Acts 9:27 – Preached in the name of Jesus
  13. 1 Corinthians 1:2 – Called on the name of Jesus
  14. 1 Corinthians 6:11 – Sanctified and justified in the name of Jesus
  15. Ephesians 5:20 – Give thanks in the name of Jesus
  16. Philippians 2:10 – Every knee will bow at the name of Jesus
  17. Colossians 3:17 – Do all in the name of Jesus
  18. 2 Thessalonians (reference not specified) – Name of the Lord Jesus glorified

Alluded to but not explicitly cited:

  1. John 3:16 – “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son”
  2. Isaiah 9:6 – “A son shall be given”
  3. Galatians 4:4 – “God sent forth his Son, made of a woman”
  4. John 14:6 – “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (mentioned but not cited)