It stands to reason there are too many people in the world for the number of names available. Some people create new names but the total number does not come near the population. To correctly identify a person in conversation a surname is given. A surname is a last name. This becomes understandable when multiple persons have the same first ‘given’ name.
However, oftentimes nicknames are assigned to an individual because of an interest the person has or had; perhaps due to a physical attribute; perhaps because of an occupation or location of their birth. These adjectives describing a person or their occupation in time may have been the origin of their surname.
History has introduced surnames for almost every soul. Examples might be Smith, Carpenter, Cooper, Hill, Washington etc. There are a long list of surnames in the history of mankind. Family identifications are often used such as Canaanite, Midionite, Babylonian–to use a few Biblical examples.
Scripture tells us Peter had a surname, it was Peter. His first name was Simon. However we know him as Peter. In Mark 3:16-19 the names of Jesus’ chosen Apostles are: 16 … Simon he surnamed Peter; 17 And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder: 18 And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite, 19 And Judas Iscariot. In this passage we have three with surnames or nicknames, one given unto them by Jesus, the others were given by their families or their community. Matthew 10:3 tells us Thaddaeus is known by his surname. Mt. 10:2-4. 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. You notice there were a few identifications given to properly know who these men were. Thaddaeus’ first name was Lebbaeus. Other descriptions were necessary for the other Simon–the Canaanite. James and John were the sons of Zebedee, and The sons of thunder. Andrew was Simon Peter’s brother. Matthew was a publican–tax collector. Judas Iscariot was the betrayer. The second James was identified as Alphaeus’ son. With two Simons and two James among the twelve chosen as Jesus’ Apostles, surnames or nicknames were probably necessary.
With names in mind, nicknames or surnames, can you name all the nicknames or surnames given to Jesus? We identify him as Jesus Christ. The name Christ is given because he became the Messiah, the Savior, The Christ. Christ became his surname.
Let us spend a few minutes reading some of the names given unto Jesus, the son of Joseph and Mary of Nazareth. We listed a few just now. This only begins the long list of names associated with Jesus.
The Son of God–when Peter walked on water the Apostles said, Mt. 14:33. 33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
The Light of the World–Jesus tells his disciples he is the light–goodness versus darkness or evil. John 8:12. 12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
The Lamb of God–John 1:29. 29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
Being called The Lamb of God, Jesus was the Passover sacrificial lamb figuratively and physically he was God’s sacrifice for the atonement of sin for mankind.
The Word–John 1:1. 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The term Word is a reference to Jesus. Also found in John 1:14. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Also in Rev. 19:13. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
The Way, The Truth and The Life–John 14:6. 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
The Alpha and Omega–the first and the last–Rev. 1:8. 8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
Also, Rev. 22:13. 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
He is the Almighty–referencing his equality with the will of his father Almighty God–Jehovah.
He is the Amen–the end. Rev. 3:14. 14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
Jesus was here in the beginning and will be with the righteous in eternity
We see he is also the faithful and true witness.
The Lord–Jesus is Lord of all. Acts 10:36. 36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
The Master–Mt. 23:8. 8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
The True Vine–John 15:1. 15 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
This references the soil as God, Jesus as the vine and all the brethren as the fruit. No one can get to God except through Jesus.
The Bread of Life–John 6:32-33. 32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
The Good Shepherd–John 10:11. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Jesus takes care of his sheep–the righteous.
Jesus cares for everyone but only accepts those who love him and keep his commandments.
The Counselor–Isaiah 9:6. 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Jesus counsels us to know what is right and what is wrong. He wants us to do the will of his father, Jehovah. Teaching us is his love for mankind.
The Great High Priest–Heb. 4:14. 14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Jesus is now the mediator between man and God just as a High priest of old could mediate for man.
Also 1 Tim. 2:5. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
The Head of the church–Eph. 1:22-23. 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Also Col. 1:18. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
The King of Kings–1 Tim. 6:15. 15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
The Lord of Lords–Rev. 19:16. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords.
The Resurrection and the Life–John 11:25. 25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
Many identifiers are given to the name of Jesus. Without Jesus we are nothing and a poor wretched soul. It is Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith. Heb. 12:2. 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Scripture says we must confess his name before men. Mt. 10:32. 32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. To be able to have our sins forgiven, we must believe Jesus is who it is said he is; The son of God, The Light of the World; The Redeemer. Upon willingness to request God to forgive us for our sins, repenting of those sins to do them never more, confession is made. Romans 10:10. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Jesus said to be baptized. Mt. 28:19. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: And, Peter tells us baptism is for the remission of our sins. Acts 2:38. 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Yes, baptism is an outward show of a good conscience toward God. 1 Peter 3:21. 21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
Are you willing to believe, repent of past sins, confess Jesus as Lord and Master of your life, and be baptized in a watery grave to rise and walk anew, sinless? In the name of Jesus, obeying his commandments, you can be sinless, forgiven and refreshed to receive all the blessings, comfort, counseling and the Bread of Life to sustain you until Jesus comes again. He will collect his own in the clouds. Then we will be with the Father for evermore. Jesus is the resurrection and the life because he was resurrected first from Satan’s grave. He will give you life eternal if you believe and obey. Will you come to him? Will you live in the name of Jesus?
