By Pamela Patnode

“As they left the council, they rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.” ~ Acts 5:41

The birth of a child often elicits a series of questions. The most common questions include: “Is the baby a boy or a girl? How much did the baby weigh? What is the child’s name?”

The act of naming a child is a great responsibility for parents. Often, parents-to-be will consult name books and lists, consider family traditions, and reflect upon meaningful faith-based names and the names of people who have positively influenced the parents throughout their lives.

Naming—“in the beginning”

The act of naming began with Adam and is part of what separates humans from the animals. In Genesis 2, God brings every living creature to the man (Adam) “to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name.” Interestingly, through the process of naming the animals, Adam gained a better understanding of his own identity and his need for “a helper” who “is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.” Adam named this helpmate “woman.”

The act of naming plays a significant role in our faith. Throughout the Bible, we learn of people whose names indicate something about their personality and their mission. Likewise, the renaming of a person (e.g. Abram becomes Abraham, Sarai becomes Sarah, Jacob becomes Israel, and Simon becomes Peter) typically signals a change in the mission of one’s life.

First name? Last name? What is our most important name?

For Christians, our most significant naming occurs at baptism. Through baptism, we receive the name of Christian, of son or daughter of God, which changes our mission in life to one of covenant relationship with Jesus. It is God, Himself, who lovingly calls us by name and invites us into relationship with Him, with the Holy Spirit, and with Jesus, the One whose “name is above every name” (Phil 2:9).

To be called Christian, to bear the name of Christ, is both a tremendous blessing and responsibility. As the disciples in today’s first reading demonstrate, being Christian means that we have the responsibility to be “witnesses” of the faith who “obey God rather than men.” The result of their actions was flogging and dishonor.

Today, striving to live up to the name of Christian may also lead to suffering such as being ridiculed, losing relationships or employment, and for some, it may lead to imprisonment, torture, or even death.

Yet, despite these risks, we can be confident that the name of Jesus means “God saves,” and Emmanuel means “God with us”—and He hears us when we call upon his name. Indeed, as the psalmist declares, we can “give thanks to his holy name.”

Today we are reminded that names are significant and God lovingly calls each of us by name. Will we have courage to respond?

Prayer

Lord, help me to grow in my love for you, and to have the courage to be a witness to your Name.

Call to Action

Consider the names of the Triune God that you are most drawn to (“Father,” “Jesus,” “Holy Spirit,” “Father God,” “Lord,” “Christ,” “Good Shepherd,” “Merciful Father,” “Love,” etc.). Make a list of the names of God that are most meaningful to you, then intentionally pray to God each day, using these different names.

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