What Does “In the Name of” Really Mean?

February 22, 2024

Christians tend to use the name of Jesus to call upon God’s supernatural power over sickness and evil. Scripture encourages us to “believe in the name, be baptized in the name, pray in the name, be healed in the name, give thanks in the name,” and “do all in the name of Jesus.” ^(a) [see endnotes for scripture] 

The Bible also informs us that “we are washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of Jesus.” ^(b) So, when we speak the name of Jesus, what does “in the name of” really mean?

Understanding “The Heart”

Scripture says we are created as “images and likenesses” of God. ^(c) These Hebrew words can be translated as the “reflection and resemblance.” We are created and birthed into life as God’s offspring and are designed to live, grow in perception, and mature as responsive children. 

How does anyone reflect God as a mirror and resemble Him as a child? Jesus Christ illustrated the most exact reflection and resemblance of God in a human life. ^(d) He became the clearest example that we can learn from and seek to match by following his words and example.

To measure the quality of a person, God observes the expressions of our heart. ^(e) Jesus addressed our expressions as “That which proceeds out of the man… is what defiles the man.” ^(f) As our heart expressions can defile our personal self, we can also glorify our Eternal Father. 

An in-depth search of the word ‘heart’ in Scripture reveals it is the expression of our mind, spirit, soul, and body. It can be defined as our expressive character, attitude, and personality (CAP).

• Character speaks of dominant moral fiber – such as honesty, loyalty, and charitability. 
• Attitude refers to our temperament – such as loving, humble, and flexible. 
• Personality denotes social behavior – such as analytical, supportive, organized, or outgoing.

Scripture reveals our heart is the expression that originates in and comes out of our full being. Each person is more than a spirit, a soul, and a body. Our expressive heart exposes our inner self and reveals ‘who we are’ as a developing person and illustrates how mature we have become.

Scripture reveals our heart is the expression that originates in and comes out of our full being.

Representing God

While our Bible records many of the words and actions of God, His CAP is demonstrated for us to observe, study, and follow in the life and words of Jesus. In Jesus, we can visualize the CAP traits of our Eternal Father. We can learn a lot in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.   

Our personal name connects each of us to our own identity. Our name specifically refers to who we are, our personal CAP. However, when anyone seeks to represent and invoke the name of an authority, there needs to be more than a causal link or connection with that authority. 

The old Hebrew custom of raising children began in the home. While dad was involved, mom largely managed the moment by moment activity of teaching children about personal values, respect, and sharing with others. At the age of 13, the child’s daily activity was transferred to the father’s oversight, to be disciplined in a trade and learn how to represent the father.

Representation involves much more than speaking words. No one becomes a policeman, doctor, or a soldier without understanding and being disciplined in what they represent. Attempting to exercise authority without being disciplined can be ineffective and even destructive. ^(g) God’s authority, as represented by the name of Jesus, comes from our personal alignment with Him.

Everyone who listens with “an ear to hear” ^(h) can sense God’s guidance. When Jesus prayed for those who were walking with him and seeking to understand, he said: “I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself, that ‘where I am’ you may be also.” ⁽ⁱ⁾ Where was Jesus when he prayed this? He was in this life faithfully responding to God’s guidance. The place God-in-Christ desires to dwell is in the expressions of our heart.  

When Jesus told the religious leaders, “I go to Him who sent me,” ^(j) he proclaimed he was about to leave the restrictions of earthly life and return to “the glory he had with the Father before the world was.” ^(k) Jesus would again function as the logos (Greek – spoken word) of God, ^(l) as God’s living and insightful word. 

Everyone who listens with “an ear to hear” can sense God’s guidance.

Responding To God

The story Jesus told of the Prodigal Son illustrates the many ways we live and respond to the provision of our Eternal Father, as wandering offspring and as respondent children. ^(m) 

• Some leave the Father’s abiding presence and abundant provision to live their own way. 
• Some enjoy life by utilizing the gifts and abilities that come with being offspring of God. 
• Some, after wasting our God given inheritance, struggle to make ends meet. 
• Some barely survive on the scraps and charity tossed to them. 
• Some ‘wake up’ and approach God with attitudes of repentance and submission, then find themselves being hugged and clothed afresh by the loving generosity of our Father.
• Some, as the Prodigal’s brother, reside in the fellowship of the Father’s presence and the benefits of his abundant provision; yet fail to really ‘get’ the depths of His loving heart. 

So, what does “in the name of” really mean? While God tends to respond to anyone who calls on Him, being His representative involves more than speaking His name. 

To represent God, the man Jesus served, we need to understand more of God’s heart and be disciplined in His expressive ways. God’s expressive heart is most clearly revealed and illustrated in the life and words of Jesus Christ. 

If we believe in, pray in, are healed in, and give thanks in the name of Jesus, we should be giving ourselves to learning about God. Our ability to hear or sense the voice of God is amplified when we read our Bibles with an open mind, looking to see and receive what we have not yet seen. May we personally know and walk more clearly in the ways of Jesus, today!

Being God’s representative involves more than speaking His name.

a) 1 John 3:23; Acts 2:38; John 14:13-14; Acts 3:6; Ephesians 5:20; Colossians 3:17; b) 1 Corinthians 6:11; c) Genesis 1:26; d) Colossians 1:15; 2 Corinthians 4:4; e) 1 Samuel 16:7; Jeremiah 17:10; f) Mark 7:20; Matthew 15:11; g) Act 19:11-17; h) Revelation 13:9; 2:7, 11; 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22; i) John 14:3; 12:26; 17:24; j) John 7:33-34; 13:33; k) John 17:5; l) John 1:1; m) Luke 15:11-32;

Keith Carroll, “The Relationship Guy”
Relational Gospel Founder
Created To Relate author