The Name of Jesus

For those of you who may not have read the previous posts, this one is exclusively about the questions that were raised in my own mind by one of the statements of A.W. Pink, namely that to simply refer to "Jesus" in prayers is dishonouring to him, for only his enemies referred to him as such or only when it was to show his humbled estate. The question was whether it was appropriate to do so, or rather how we ought to refer to him. So, on the subject of the name of Jesus, these are my findings and conclusions. First, the statistics:

The name "Jesus" appears 925 times in the New Testament, according to the ESV. Pink has pointed out (in other books) that the rule of "first mention" is usually very important as it sets the tone of how the word is to be used and the first time the name Jesus is mentioned is in Matthew and he is called "Jesus Christ." How fitting that the very first verse of "his testament" should open with his name and title!

Throughout the gospel narratives, he is constantly referred to as "Jesus" and it is true that many times when people speak to him (as in Mark 14:67) they say "you also were with the Nazarene, Jesus" or "Jesus of Nazareth" which seems to bear a stigma. It is also interesting that after his resurrection and shown to be the risen Lord, that Mark 16:19 refers to him as "Lord Jesus."

John's first reference to the name in his gospel is "Jesus Christ" and the purpose of his gospel is so that you may believe that "Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." John 20:31
Also in the gospel of John, the disciples call him "Lord" in John 21:7,12,15,16,17,20,21.

Of the nearly 200 times that Paul, the Apostle refers to Jesus, it is almost always "Christ Jesus," "Lord Jesus Christ," or "Jesus Christ." There are a handful of verses which do not and of those, two of them have the following verse proclaiming Jesus as Lord, and most have some sort of context of him being the Son of God.
Rom_3:26
2Co_4:10-11
2Co_11:4
Gal_6:17 (next verse "Lord Jesus Christ")
Eph_4:21
Phi_2:10 (next verse "Jesus Christ is Lord")
1Th_1:10
1Th_4:14
This is remarkably few in comparison with the multitude of others mentioned.

Peter only made use of "Jesus Christ" or "our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" from what I could find.

From the other view, narratives most often refer him as Jesus, which makes sense because the historical figure is who the readers would be associating the name with, but most of the time in Acts for example, that is followed later with a clear affirmation of the Lordship and the name of Christ being appended. For example: Hebrews says simply "Jesus" but it is always in connection with something great, i.e.
Heb 2:9 "But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death...."
Heb 3:1 "... consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession,"
Heb 3:3 "For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses...."
And other instances, which all point to his greatness.

Revelations also refers to "Jesus" consistently except for the last two verses, which conclude with "Come, Lord Jesus!" and "The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen."

My conclusions are this:
That the name of Jesus, by itself, has been used regularly throughout the New Testament, generally in relation to the historical figure but always with the general affirmation or testimony of his deity and Lordship. This generally happens when the Apostles were speaking in Acts to unbelievers.

What I felt was a very enlightening verse on the matter was Acts 2:36: when, after referring to "this Jesus" he concludes with "Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified." That seems to be of weighty evidence to me.

It may also be notable to mention Acts 19:13
"Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, "I adjure you by the Jesus, whom Paul proclaims." and it seems to be clear from the narrative that they did not own him as Lord and Christ, if you recall, the possessed turned on them!

Also note
1 Corinthians 12:3 "Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says "Jesus is accursed!" and no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except in the Holy Spirit."
and
1 John 5:1 "Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.

What it seems to boil down to is of course, an issue of the heart. Can there be a calling upon the name of Jesus? Absolutely! But it is always with the realization that he is Lord, the Christ, and Saviour. To affirm with the lips is good but to affirm with the heart is of the utmost importance, not as though our affirming actually means anything, for he always is Lord and Saviour, whether we do so or not.
I would not reduce this to a legalistic thing and say that everyone must say the certain "formula" but I do believe it is clear from the Scriptures that Christ is to be honoured. I appreciated what F.B. had to say on that, as well as Arwen and A.L. To refer to him as Lord or by his title as Christ is indeed most Scriptural and renders to him the honour he deserves.

Along those same lines, Pink also pointed out (and I heartily agree with him on this) that while the Lord Jesus Christ refers to us as brothers (and what a tremendous honour that is!) it by no means implies that we should refer to him as such, to do so would be rather presumptuous. Rather, we constantly realize ourselves to be nothing but dirt and rags and glorify him who has bestowed us with such richness. Likewise, that he should call us "friends" is of the greatest mercy and love! But for me to call him friend in such a personal and offhand way, is to be presuming upon him. He is my Lord and I love him and will give all praise to him. He must increase, but I must decrease, he deserves all glory and honour and he is gracious enough to bestow some upon me, who do not deserve it. We must be as the 24 elders in Revelation 4:10 who, after being given the crowns, only cast them down in humbleness before the throne of him who deserves all the glory.

So while I don't think it is wrong to say simply "Jesus" as long as there is an appropriate attitude involved, I am very thankful for the study and it has been very beneficial to me and (for the sake of my own conscience) from now on I will strive to not only do honour with my heart but with my lips as well and hope that it will be a constant reminder that he is great and greatly to be praised.

Psalm 145: A Song of Praise. Of David. I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.
One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.
On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness.
They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.
All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you!
They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power,
to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations. [The LORD is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works.]
The LORD upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.
You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing.
The LORD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.
The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.
The LORD preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.
My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.