Pastor Quinton Earl Hammonds

The Highest Name, Jesus
Philippians 2:9-11

The name of Jesus is the highest name known to man. There is no disputing the fact. The scriptures give the name exclusively. Acts 4:12 says there is no other name given under heaven whereby we must be saved, other than the name of Jesus. We as believers have the right to call that name, pray in that name, praise that name, bless that name and above all else use that name. We can get anything we ask for in his name, John 14:14. We can be healed of our diseases in his name, Acts 3:6. Demons are cast out in his name, Luke 10:17. We have all these blessings in the name of Jesus it makes me wonder why present day, New Testament, New Covenant believers are still using the names of the Old Testament.

In many places I go I see banners hanging from the walls of Churches with the names of Jehovah on them. Certainly a church can choose to decorate however they want, but the names of Jehovah are not higher than the name of Jesus. The name Jehovah means the eternal. It was the covenant name of Israel in the Old Testament. It was a powerful name but it needed a modifier to make it applicable to the specific need of the believer. The name meant I AM. The question would arise, I AM what? That's where the modifiers came in. Jehovah Jireh, I AM the LORD that provides, Jehovah Shalom, I AM the LORD thy Peace. On and on the modifiers had to specify the function of Jehovah. But all that you need is in the name of Jesus. Providence, healing, peace, everything you need is wrapped up in one name, so why do we have present day believers praying to Jehovah? When you know better you should do better.

It is the same with the name EL. That name means the strong one. Yes it was another name of God in the Old Testament. Just like Jehovah EL was not of individual value alone. El-Shaddai, God Almighty, El-Elyon, God Most High, can't you see all of this is also in the name of Jesus? It may be more dramatic to call on those names, but it is not more effective. It may be more religious but not more effective. There is no other name higher or holier than the name of Jesus. It may be that the discontinued names would not be used if they weren't perpetuated by discontinued offices, like Prophet and Priest or Prophetess and Priestess. Let's call on the name that gives us direct access to the Father. Jesus said I am the way the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the father but by me. John 14:6