Theology Proper (Doctrine of God): Names of God
The names of God reveal His character and make known who He is. They are not merely human labels but divine self-disclosure. When God names Himself, He is declaring His nature, His covenant, and His relationship with His people. Unlike metaphors or similes that compare God to aspects of creation, the names of God announce His being and His purpose.
The Bible presents both proper names of God, tied to His covenant dealings, and essential names, which describe His eternal nature. Together they reveal the God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Understanding the names of God not only deepens knowledge but also strengthens faith, for the Gospel and the hope of salvation are bound to the God who makes Himself known by name.
1. Proper Names of God in Scripture
God’s proper names are declarations He has chosen to reveal Himself. These names occur throughout the Old Testament and point to His covenant character.
Elohim: A generic term for God, also used for rulers or spiritual beings (Psalm 82:1). Its plural form hints at God’s majesty and fullness.
El Shaddai (“God Almighty”): The name revealed to Abraham when God confirmed His covenant (Genesis 17:1). It emphasizes God’s sufficiency and power to keep His promises.
Yahweh (YHWH): God’s covenant name revealed to Moses: “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14). This name is tied to His eternal self-existence and covenant faithfulness. Out of reverence, Israel often substituted “Adonai” (Lord).
Adonai (“Lord”): A title of authority and sovereignty, reflecting God’s rule over His people.
These names appear not in isolation but in the history of God’s dealings. When He called Abraham, redeemed Israel from Egypt, or made covenant at Sinai, He attached His name to His promises.
2. Essential Names of God
Beyond covenantal names, Scripture also reveals essential names that describe who God is in Himself.
Spirit: “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). He is not bound to physical form or limitations.
Love: “God is love” (1 John 4:8). The Father, Son, and Spirit eternally delight in one another, and believers are drawn into this love through Christ.
Light: “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). He shines into the darkness of sin, bringing truth and holiness.
Life: God is “the living God” (Joshua 3:10), overflowing with vitality, the source of all creation.
These essential names highlight God’s eternal attributes. They are not tied to temporary acts of creation or redemption but express His eternal nature.
3. The Name of God in the New Covenant
God’s self-revelation reaches its fullness in the new covenant. Jesus commanded His disciples: “Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). Importantly, this singular “name” is Yahweh, God’s covenant name. The Father is Yahweh, the Son is Yahweh, and the Spirit is Yahweh.
Philippians 2:9–11 confirms this truth: “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow.” The name given to Jesus is Yahweh, for that is the covenant name of God to which all creation will bow. In Christ, Yahweh’s covenant promises reach their fulfillment.
This means that in the new covenant, the church does not abandon Yahweh as God’s name but confesses Him more fully through the revelation of Father, Son, and Spirit. Believers are baptized into Yahweh, known personally as the triune God.
4. Challenges to the Names of God
In every age, challenges arise concerning the names of God. Scripture makes clear that only God has the authority to name Himself. As Isaiah declares, “I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other” (Isaiah 42:8).
Two key distortions include:
Reimagining God’s names: Some modern attempts replace Father and Son with titles such as Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier. But these are descriptions of works, not personal names. They risk blurring the distinction between God and creation.
Feminist reinterpretations: Certain theologians, reacting to perceived patriarchy, have sought to apply feminine names to God. But since God is not sexual, His revealed names do not indicate gender. To rename God is to claim an authority that belongs to Him alone.
Christian worship is bound to God’s self-revelation in Christ. To reject the name of Father, Son, and Spirit—Yahweh revealed in Jesus Christ—is to reject the way God has made Himself known in the Gospel.
5. The Names of God and Christian Hope
The names of God are not mere titles; they are bound to salvation history and to the church’s future hope. When believers call upon the name of the Lord, they confess His saving power (Romans 10:13).
In the Gospel: God reveals Himself as Yahweh, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:3).
In the church: Christians pray, sing, and serve in His name, knowing He is present with them (Matthew 18:20).
In the last days: God’s name is a seal of protection for His people (Revelation 22:4: “They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads”).
The names of God remind believers that He is faithful from creation to consummation. They anchor worship, direct prayer, and sustain hope until Christ’s return, when every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord—Yahweh—to the glory of God the Father.
Conclusion
The names of God reveal who He is. Proper names such as Elohim, El Shaddai, and Yahweh display His covenant faithfulness. Essential names like Spirit, Love, Light, and Life disclose His eternal nature. The new covenant name—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—is Yahweh Himself, revealed fully in Jesus Christ.
To call on the name of Yahweh is to confess the Gospel. God has given the name above every name to Jesus, so that at the name of Yahweh in Christ every knee will bow and every tongue confess. The names of God summon faith, demand reverence, and provide assurance that the God who names Himself will keep His promises.
Bible Verses on the Names of God
Exodus 3:14 — “I AM WHO I AM.”
Exodus 34:6 — “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”
Deuteronomy 6:4 — “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”
Psalm 8:1 — “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”
Isaiah 42:8 — “I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other.”
Matthew 28:19 — “Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
John 17:11 — “Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me.”
Acts 4:12 — “There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Philippians 2:9–11 — “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name.”
Revelation 22:4 — “They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.”
