The confusion suffered by the JW's regarding God's Holy Name is part of a larger problem.  They fail to accept the truth about who the Lord Jesus Christ truly is (see - Is Jesus God?) and they don't understand the significance of the change of covenant, which He brought about by His sacrifice and resurrection. 

   

  SHOULD THE NAME 'JEHOVAH' BE IN SCRIPTURE?

 

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Yes it should, but only where it is intended to be.  The name of God in the Old Testament Scriptures is Yhwh.  This is rendered in english as Yahweh, Jehovah or Jah.  This name was revealed to the Israelites through Moses, after their exodus from Egypt.

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Let's look at some of the claims made by the JW's about the name Jehovah:

 

“The churches in general avoid the use of the name Jehovah.  Some have even removed it from their versions of the Bible”. (You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth. Watch tower Bible and Tract Society of New York. Inc. 1982, page 185).

These are two entirely separate claims. 

Firstly:  ‘the churches in general avoid the use of the name Jehovah.’  – If we agree with this claim, then we would have to say the same about the Lord Jesus Christ and His apostles, because they did not preach the name Jehovah either.  Not ever!  The name 'Jehovah' does not appear in the new testament in any reliable translation of Scripture (more about that soon).  The Lord Jesus did not speak the name Jehovah once, nor did His apostles.  The Lord Jesus and His chosen witnesses referred to God as 'God' or 'Father'. 

 

The second claim of the JW's is that 'some have even removed it from their versions of the Bible'.  Is this true? 

 

Generally speaking - in english translations of the Bible, the name Jehovah is rendered as 'LORD'.  Capital letters are used to distinguish it from the title 'Lord'.  This began with the King James version.

 

But is this some kind of plot to hide the name of God as the JW's suggest?  

 

I choose to read the New International Version of the Holy Bible.  And in fact, the publishers are quite open about the name YHWH.  In the preface of the N.I.V. (International Bible Society), we find the following statement – ‘In regard to the divine name YHWH, commonly referred to as the tetragrammation, the translators adopted a device used in most English versions of rendering that name as “LORD” in capital letters to distinguish it from Adonai, another Hebrew word rendered as “Lord” for which small letters are used.  Wherever the two names are used together in the Old Testament as the compound name of God, they are rendered as “Sovereign LORD”.

There is nothing hidden here.  The publishers openly acknowledge that the Hebrew name for God is YHWH.  It is not readily pronounced in English, so some have chosen to translate it as LORD, while others have Anglicised the name and rendered it as ‘Jehovah’.  But there is something else of significance in the above statement.  It says, ‘Wherever the two names are used together in the Old Testament’.  It specifically says ‘in the Old Testament’ because the name YHWH (Jehovah) does not appear anywhere in the original New Testament texts.  This was something that even the founder of JWism was aware of. 

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'Young's literal translation of the Holy Bible' was first published in 1862 (when Charles Taze Russel was only ten years old) and is still regarded as a highly accurate and reliable translation of Scripture.  Mr Young sought to correct what he saw as omissions and mistakes in the King James version. He included the name of Jehovah as one of those omissions. 

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 In his ‘Analytical Concordance to the Bible', Robert Young wrote this about the name Jehovah:

‘JE-HO-VAH, the existing one; The incommunicable name of the God of Israel.  In the common version of the English bible it is generally, though improperly, translated by ’the LORD’.  (Young’s Analytical Concordance To The Bible, Thomas Nelson Publishing, 1982).

It is true that in most English versions of the Bible, the name of YHWH is rendered as ‘the LORD’ throughout the Old Testament.  

 

The name ‘Jehovah’ appears 5787 times in ‘Young's Literal Translation of the HOLY BIBLE’. However, all 5787 appearances of the name ‘Jehovah’ are in the Old Testament.  The name Jehovah does not appear in the New Testament at all, and this is exactly how God intended it to be.  As I wrote earlier, the Lord Jesus came to lead us into a new covenant - a new way of relating to God.

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      WHY ISN'T THE NAME JEHOVAH IN THE NEW TESTAMENT?

 

There is a clear difference between what was preached in the old covenant and what is preached in the new covenant, and that is exactly how it should be.  Let’s simply look at which name the apostles actually preached.  After all, they were God’s real witnesses. 

 

At the very beginning of his gospel message (John 1:1-15), the apostle John gave us a synopsis of the work of the Lord Jesus Christ and the change of covenant.  In verses 10-12 it says, "He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognise Him.  He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him. Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”  (John 1:10-12)  

 

This small summary gives us an overview of the Lord's ministry and the subsequent ministry of His apostles: He came to that which was his own (Israel), but His own did not receive Him.  However, after His resurrection, when the apostles preached the new covenant - to those who believed in His name (Jews and Gentiles alike), He gave the right to become children of God.

From the very start of his message, the apostle made the change of covenant clear, and which name we are required to believe in, to be given the right to become God's children. 

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But the name "Jehovah" has not been left out of, or forgotten in the New Testament, as the J.W’s would have people believe.  "Jesus" is the Greek rendering of the name Joshua, which literally means ‘Jah saves’,   

The old covenant name of the living God is encapsulated and honoured within the name of Jesus!  This is “the name” which is esteemed throughout the new covenant scriptures. "The name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19)

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Jesus clearly told His apostles, “and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)  He did not say, ‘you will be my Father’s witnesses’.   He did not say, ‘you will be Jehovah’s witnesses’.  The Lord Jesus said, “You will be my witnesses”.   

The apostles were the true witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ.  They did not preach the name of Jehovah (not even once)!  They preached “the name of the Lord Jesus Christ”.

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​​​The J.W’s tell us that we can be sure they are the true worshippers of God, simply because they declare themselves to be so in their own literature.  They boast about being the only ones who are doing God’s will on earth and then back up their claims with verses from a version of the Bible which they have altered to suit their own preaching. The entire platform of the J.W’s preaching is based on a misrepresentation of scripture.

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Under the heading ‘Identifying the True Religion’, they write -

‘True worshipers of God would act in harmony with the model prayer that Jesus gave his followers.  The first thing Jesus there mentioned was this; “Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified.”  Another Bible version puts these words this way; “May your name be held holy.” (Matthew 6:9, Jerusalem Bible).  What does it mean to sanctify, or to hold holy, God’s name?  How did Jesus do it?  Jesus showed how he did it when he said his prayer to his Father;  “I have made your name manifest to the men you gave me out of the world.” (John17:6).  Yes, Jesus made God’s name, Jehovah, known to others.  He did not fail to use that name.” 

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These claims are a complete misrepresentation of what Scripture actually says.  Firstly; Let’s start with this claim – ‘Yes, Jesus made God’s name, Jehovah, known to others.  He did not fail to use that name.’ 

This is simply a lie!  As we read above, "He came to that which was His own". The ministry of the Lord Jesus (including this 'model prayer') was to the nation of Israel alone.  This is something we established in the previous section: "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel." (Matthew 15:24)    

 

THE ISRAELITES HAD KNOWN THE NAME OF "YAHWEH" FROM THE TIME OF MOSES!  THERE WAS NO NEED TO REVEAL THE NAME 'YAHWEH' (JEHOVAH) TO THEM!!  THE ONLY REASON FOR REVEALING A NAME IS IF THAT NAME IS NOT YET KNOWN!  Archaeological evidence also proves that the Egyptians knew this name.  To verify this, simply type, 'The oldest Yahweh inscription' into your search engine.

 

Once again; the Lord Jesus Himself did not use the name of Jehovah anywhere in Scripture!   

 

His mission was to show His people a new way of relating to God.  The Lord Jesus constantly referred to God as “my Father”, or “the Father” and told his disciples to pray, “Our Father in heaven” and then said, “hallowed be your name”, but he never mentioned the name Jehovah.  In fact, the name He revealed to them, was His name .  

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Let’s look at the verses that the J.W’s book refers to, and see what the scriptures actually say, starting with this quote from the book of John:  “I have revealed you (your name) to those whom you gave me out of the world” (John 17:6).    

 

It is also crucial to keep this small verse in context with the rest of Christ’s prayer in John 17, so we can understand which name He is speaking of.  The Lord Jesus continued to pray for His disciples throughout this passage.  And I suggest that you should read the entire chapter, to make sure that you understand what is being said.  However, at this point, we are specifically looking at what the Lord Jesus prayed in regard to “the name”.

  

In verse 11-12, the Lord prays, “I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you.  Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name – the name you gave me – so that they may be one as we are one.  While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me.” (John 17:11-12).

Firstly, the Lord prays, “By the power of your name – the name you gave me”.   Then again, at the end of verse 12, he calls it, “that name you gave me.” 

 

Does Scripture specifically tell us what “the name you gave me” is?  Yes it does: 

 

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

    and gave him the name that is above every name,

 

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

 

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

    to the glory of God the Father.”  (Philippians 2:9-11)

 

So, when Jesus said, “I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me.” – He meant the name of “the Lord Jesus Christ”!   We can also see this in declaration of those He sent out to preach; “The seventy two returned to him and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name” (Luke 10:17).   They were protected by His name – the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Even demons submitted to that name - the name of which Jesus said; “Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name – the name you gave me”.  And this is made clear throughout the new testament.

 

He also told His apostles that they would continue to be protected by His name, after the resurrection. "He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.  Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.  And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.'” (Mark 16:15-18) 

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         FALSE TRANSLATION AND DECEPTION

 

The JW's tell us:

‘So God’s true people must treat his name as holy and make it known throughout the earth.  In fact, knowing that name is necessary for salvation, as the Bible says, “For everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved” – Romans 10:13,14.” (You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth. Watch tower Bible and Tract Society of New York. Inc. 1982, pages 184 and 185) ​

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The true chosen witnesses of Jesus Christ (the apostles) did not preach the name of Jehovah at all. So the JW's have simply inserted the name Jehovah throughout the New Testament in their own version of the Bible.  Romans 10:13 is one example.  

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When this passage is read in context, the preceding verses contradict the JW's claim that we must call on the name of Jehovah to be saved.  In fact, so does the rest of the New Testament. 

 

This is what the apostles preached about “the name” by which men must be saved! – “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them:  Rulers and elders of the people.  If we are being called to account for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel:  It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is, ‘the stone you builders rejected which has become your capstone’.  Salvation is found in no-one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which they must be saved.” (Acts 4:8-12).  Clearly, the only “name given to men by which they must be saved” is “the name of Jesus Christ”.

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Here is the same passage from the J.W’s own Bible:   “Then Peter, filled with holy spirit, said to them: “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today about a good deed to a crippled man, and you want to know who made this man well, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that in the name of Jesus Christ the Naz·a·reneʹ, whom you executed on a stake but whom God raised up from the dead, by means of him this man stands here healthy in front of you.  This is ‘the stone that was treated by you builders as of no account that has become the chief cornerstone.’   Furthermore, there is no salvation in anyone else, for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must get saved.” (New World translation of The Holy Scriptures, Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania)

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We are told clearly that the name of Jesus Christ is the only name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.  This seems to contradict the other verse quoted from their version of the Bible: “For everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved” – Romans 10:13.’  (New World translation of The Holy Scriptures, Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania)

 

The reason for the apparent contradiction is simple.  The J.W’s have deliberately changed Romans 10:13 in their version of the Bible to promote their own doctrines.  The apostle did not write the name Jehovah in Romans 10:13, but wrote the title “Lord”!  The verse actually reads, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”. (Romans 10:13)  This verse (once again) is speaking to us of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  If you read it in context with the preceding verses, it becomes clear.   It says, “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.  As the Scripture says,  ‘Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.’  For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile – the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Rom. 10:9 -13). 

 

The word ‘Lord’ in the original Greek text is ‘kyrios’; it is a title, not a name.  It is consistent throughout this passage.   So, where it says,  “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  The title “Lord” is not a mistake; it is the Greek word ‘kyrios’.  If this word truly meant 'Jehovah', then verse 9 would read, "confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Jehovah'".

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In this passage, the apostle Paul is highlighting the change of covenant, just as John told us at the beginning of his gospel: “Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”  (John 1:12).  This is what the JW's don't understand - the significance of the change of covenant.  Under the old covenant, the remnant of Israel were told that they would only be saved by calling on the name of ‘Jehovah’, (Joel 2:32) and the Gentiles were excluded from the kingdom of God.  But under the new covenant of grace, (in Romans 10:9-13) we are told, “There is no difference between Jew and Gentile”; that “Jesus is Lord” and “the same Lord is Lord of all”. Then we are told, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (wether Jew or Gentile).

 

The change made by the apostle from "Jehovah" to "Lord" is deliberate!  The JW's have changed it back out of sheer ignorance!  They have deliberately changed the word of God, because they don't understand it.   

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The new covenant of grace allowed the gospel of salvation to be preached among the Gentiles, as well as the nation of Israel.  The name ‘Jehovah’ was never preached by the apostles because salvation only comes through the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  This is the new covenant!

Wherever the apostles speak of “the name”, they are in fact referring to “the name of the Lord Jesus Christ”​

 

Another classic example of this false translation is in Acts chapter 7, when the apostle Stephen was being stoned to death and he cried out (prayed) to the Lord Jesus:  “While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit’.  Then he fell on his knees and cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them’.  When he said this, he fell asleep.” (Acts 7:59-60)

 

Here is the same passage from the J.W’s version of the bible - ‘As they were stoning Stephen, he made this appeal: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”  Then, kneeling down, he cried out with a strong voice: “Jehovah, do not charge this sin against them.” And after saying this, he fell asleep in death.’  (New World translation of The Holy Scriptures, Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania)

 

During his prayer, Stephen used the word “Lord” twice.   In the first instance, Stephen called Him, “Lord Jesus”.  In the second instance, he simply called Him “Lord”.  Again, this is the Greek word 'kyrios', and it is consistent.  The title “Lord” (kyrios') appears twice in this short prayer.  The J.W’s have deliberately changed the second instance to ‘Jehovah’ in their version.  And once again, if this word correctly translated as 'Jehovah', the first instance would read, "Jehovah Jesus, receive my spirit." 

   

We cannot call the JW's version of the Bible accurate or reliable.  At best, it is inconsistent - or at worst, it is deceptive!

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​    THE APOSTLES PREACHED THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST

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Something we made clear in the last section, was that the apostles (the true witnesses) preached the name of Jesus Christ:   

 "They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.  Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ." (Acts 5:40-42)  They were told "not to speak in the name of Jesus" and they had been flogged for doing so.  They went out rejoicing because they had suffered for "the Name" and they continued to preach "Jesus is the Christ." 

 

The chief priest and other members of the Sanhedrin would have had no reason to object if the apostles had preached the name of Jehovah.  It is clear when the entire passage is read, that the name the apostles were being persecuted for, was the name of "Jesus Christ".  In verse 28 of the same chapter, the high priest said to the apostles, “'We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,' he said. 'Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.'” (Acts 5:28). This is consistent throughout the book of Acts, and the epistles. 

 

 "But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptised, both men and women." (Acts 8:12). 

 

"He then brought them out and asked, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?'

31 They replied, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.'” (Acts 16:30-31)

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The Son of God commanded his apostles to preach the good news and to baptise men in “the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”.  The apostles obeyed this command by baptising those who believed the good news “in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ”. 

The Lord Jesus clearly told his apostles to baptise in, “the name of the Father, and of the Son and the Holy Spirit”.   He did not say ‘the names’, as if they were separate (ie. ‘Jehovah’ and ‘Jesus’ and ‘Holy Spirit’).  He said “the name”, as if it was one.  And that is how the apostles preached it.  Peter declared “Repent and be baptised every one of you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins”. (Acts 2:38)

The apostles continued to baptise people “in the name of Jesus” or “into Jesus” throughout the book of Acts.

So, either “the Lord Jesus Christ” is the “name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”, or the apostles themselves were very confused.  The apostles (God's true witnesses) recognised “the Lord Jesus Christ” as the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  All believers should recognise his name the same way.

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In Mark 16:15-18, Jesus gives these instructions; “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.  Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.   And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.’”   Again Jesus said “in my name”.   

 

The apostle Paul saw the Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus.  Paul was blinded and a man named Ananias was sent by the Lord Jesus, to restore his sight; “But the Lord said to Ananias, ‘Go, this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the gentiles and their kings and the nation of Israel.  I will show him how much he must suffer for my name'.  Then Ananias went to the house and entered it.  Placing his hands on Saul he said, ‘Brother  Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here - has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit’” (Acts 9:15-17)

 

Paul was chosen by the Lord Jesus, to carry His name.  We are then told, "Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.  At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.  All those who heard him were astonished and asked, 'Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name?'" (Acts 9:19-21)  This is something that Saul (Paul) did fearlessly.

 

Then, “Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles.  He told them how Saul, on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus, he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.  So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.” (Acts 9:27)

 

Paul was chosen by the Lord Jesus to carry his name before all men.   The one who said, “this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name”, was the Lord Jesus himself.  Ananias said to Paul, “the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here - has sent me”.  There is no doubt about which name Paul was told to preach.  It was the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  The Lord Jesus specifically said, “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name”.   Then we are told, “he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.”  I am not asking anyone to read this and simply take my word as truth.  I would rather that you read the entire book of Acts and take note of the number of times that the name of the Lord Jesus is mentioned, along with the context in which it is used.

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“So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Acts 15:25)

“And this is His command; to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us.” (1 John 3:23)

It is the name that is above every name.              

The apostles preached in the name of Jesus Christ.

Believers were baptised in the name of Jesus Christ.  

The dead were raised in the name of Jesus Christ. 

The lame were healed in the name of Jesus Christ. 

The apostles were persecuted for the name of Jesus Christ.

Demons were cast out in the name of Jesus Christ. 

People are saved by believing in the name of Jesus Christ. 

It is “the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. 

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This is why the apostles gave their testimony; so that we would believe in the name of Jesus. ​

"Jesus did many other miracles in the presence of His disciples, which are not recorded in this book.  But these are written 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 20:30-31)