There has been as much confusion surrounding the term "name", as there has been regarding other Biblical terms such as "baptism".
The Greek term "onoma", can mean a literal name, as in Matt 1:21, "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins." But even here, the term is who and what He is, Ieesoú, (from the Hebrew, Yehowshu' - YHWH saves), and Christoú, (Greek- anointed).
It's not like today where the name has little or no inherent meaning.
a "name" can also be used figuratively to mean authority, as in John 5:43, where Jesus said, "I have come in my Father's name, (authority), and you do not accept Me; but if someone else comes in his own name, (authority), you will accept him".
An interesting study is to list all the NT verses that have the term name in them and determine whether the term means, a literal name, authority or character.
You will be amazed at the results; and you will clear up the confusion when it comes to some verses that have been a matter of discussion and debate for years.
The Greek term "onoma", can mean a literal name, as in Matt 1:21, "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins." But even here, the term is who and what He is, Ieesoú, (from the Hebrew, Yehowshu' - YHWH saves), and Christoú, (Greek- anointed).
It's not like today where the name has little or no inherent meaning.
a "name" can also be used figuratively to mean authority, as in John 5:43, where Jesus said, "I have come in my Father's name, (authority), and you do not accept Me; but if someone else comes in his own name, (authority), you will accept him".
An interesting study is to list all the NT verses that have the term name in them and determine whether the term means, a literal name, authority or character.
You will be amazed at the results; and you will clear up the confusion when it comes to some verses that have been a matter of discussion and debate for years.