DID YOU KNOW: What are the names of God?

"DID YOU KNOW?" will be a summer series where we review issues of the Bible and the Christian faith of special interest. If you have a suggestion/question that you'd like addressed in a "DID YOU KNOW?" segment, please e-mail the coaches.

What names does God have in the Bible?

Names are very important things in scripture.  God gave new names to many of His chosen people, to signify the change in their status or identity. Abram ("high father") became Abraham ("father of many nations").  Jacob ("deceiver") becomes Israel ("wrestles with God").  A name isn't just an equivalent for "that guy", but rather defines who we are.

So what names does scripture give for God?  You may be surprised just how many names He has!

• Advocate - 1 John 2:1 

• Almighty - Revelation 1:8 

• Alpha - Revelation 1:8 

• Amen - Revelation 3:14 

• Angel of the Lord - Genesis 16:7 

• Anointed One - Psalm 2:2 

• Apostle - Hebrews 3:1 

• Author and Perfecter of our Faith - Hebrews 12:2 

• Beginning - Revelation 21:6 

• Bishop of Souls - 1 Peter 2:25 

• Branch - Zechariah 3:8 

• Bread of Life - John 6:35,48 

• Bridegroom - Matthew 9:15 

• Carpenter - Mark 6:3 

• Chief Shepherd - 1 Peter 5:4 

• The Christ - Matthew 1:16 

• Comforter - Jeremiah 8:18 

• Consolation of Israel - Luke 2:25 

• Cornerstone - Ephesians 2:20 

• Dayspring - Luke 1:78 

• Day Star - 2 Peter 1:19 

• Deliverer - Romans 11:26 

• Desire of Nations - Haggai 2:7 

• Emmanuel - Matthew 1:23 

• End - Revelation 21:6 

• Everlasting Father - Isaiah 9:6 

• Faithful and True Witness - Revelation 3:14 

• First Fruits - 1 Corinthians 15:23 

• Foundation - Isaiah 28:16 

• Fountain - Zechariah 13:1 

• Friend of Sinners - Matthew 11:19 

• Gate for the Sheep - John 10:7 

• Gift of God - 2 Corinthians 9:15 

• God - John 1:1 

• Glory of God - Isaiah 60:1 

• Good Shepherd - John 10:11 

• Governor - Matthew 2:6 

• Great Shepherd - Hebrews 13:20 

• Guide - Psalm 48:14

And many more.  Click thru the link for the full list!

DID YOU KNOW: What are the names of God?

"DID YOU KNOW?" will be a summer series where we review issues of the Bible and the Christian faith of special interest. If you have a suggestion/question that you'd like addressed in a "DID YOU KNOW?" segment, please e-mail the coaches.

What names does God have in the Bible?

Names are very important things in scripture.  God gave new names to many of His chosen people, to signify the change in their status or identity. Abram ("high father") became Abraham ("father of many nations").  Jacob ("deceiver") becomes Israel ("wrestles with God").  A name isn't just an equivalent for "that guy", but rather defines who we are.

So what names does scripture give for God?  You may be surprised just how many names He has!

• Advocate - 1 John 2:1 

• Almighty - Revelation 1:8 

• Alpha - Revelation 1:8 

• Amen - Revelation 3:14 

• Angel of the Lord - Genesis 16:7 

• Anointed One - Psalm 2:2 

• Apostle - Hebrews 3:1 

• Author and Perfecter of our Faith - Hebrews 12:2 

• Beginning - Revelation 21:6 

• Bishop of Souls - 1 Peter 2:25 

• Branch - Zechariah 3:8 

• Bread of Life - John 6:35,48 

• Bridegroom - Matthew 9:15 

• Carpenter - Mark 6:3 

• Chief Shepherd - 1 Peter 5:4 

• The Christ - Matthew 1:16 

• Comforter - Jeremiah 8:18 

• Consolation of Israel - Luke 2:25 

• Cornerstone - Ephesians 2:20 

• Dayspring - Luke 1:78 

• Day Star - 2 Peter 1:19 

• Deliverer - Romans 11:26 

• Desire of Nations - Haggai 2:7 

• Emmanuel - Matthew 1:23 

• End - Revelation 21:6 

• Everlasting Father - Isaiah 9:6 

• Faithful and True Witness - Revelation 3:14 

• First Fruits - 1 Corinthians 15:23 

• Foundation - Isaiah 28:16 

• Fountain - Zechariah 13:1 

• Friend of Sinners - Matthew 11:19 

• Gate for the Sheep - John 10:7 

• Gift of God - 2 Corinthians 9:15 

• God - John 1:1 

• Glory of God - Isaiah 60:1 

• Good Shepherd - John 10:11 

• Governor - Matthew 2:6 

• Great Shepherd - Hebrews 13:20 

• Guide - Psalm 48:14

And many more.  Click thru the link for the full list!

Pronunciation in Romans 16

This week is unusual in that is includes a plethora of names.  The book of Romans was written in Greek, but has been translated for us into English.  But you can't translate names - they're the same in any language.  If you're having trouble with any of them, check out the pronunciation guide below.

Those Paul is Greeting:

Person	Pronunciation
Phoebe	“Fee-bee”
Prisca and Aquila	“Pris-ka” and “Uh-quill-uh”
Epaenetus	“Ep-en-ee-tus”
Mary	“Mare-ee”
Andronicus and Junia	“An-dro-nie-kus” and “Jew-nee-uh”
Ampliatus	“Am-plee-at-us”
Urbanus and Stachys	“Ur-ban-us” and “Stack-iss”
Apelles	“App-el-ess”
The family of Aristobulus	“Air-ist-ah-buh-luss”
Herodion	“Hair-oh-dee-on”
The family of Narcissus	“Nar-sis-us”
Tryphaena and Tryphosa and Persis	“Triff-ay-nuh” and Triff-oh-suh” and “Per-sis-us”
Rufus	“Roo-fuss”
Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers	“Uh-sink-rit-us” and “Fleg-on” and “Her-mees”, and “Pat-robe-us” and “Her-muss”
Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints	“Fill-oh-log-uss” and “Jew-lee-uh” and “Ner-ay-us” and “Oh-lim-puss”

Those Sending Greetings Through Paul

Person	Pronunciation
Timothy	“Tim-Oh-Thee”
Lucius	“Lou-see-us”
Jason	“Jay-son”
Sosipater	“So-she-pay-ter”
Tertius	“Terr-she-us”
Gaius	“Guy-us”
Erastus and Quartus	“Air-as-tuss” and “Quart-uss”

DID YOU KNOW: What are the names of God?

"DID YOU KNOW?" will be a summer series where we review issues of the Bible and the Christian faith of special interest. If you have a suggestion/question that you'd like addressed in a "DID YOU KNOW?" segment, please e-mail the coaches.

What names does God have in the Bible?

Names are very important things in scripture.  God gave new names to many of His chosen people, to signify the change in their status or identity. Abram ("high father") became Abraham ("father of many nations").  Jacob ("deceiver") becomes Israel ("wrestles with God").  A name isn't just an equivalent for "that guy", but rather defines who we are.

So what names does scripture give for God?  You may be surprised just how many names He has!

• Advocate - 1 John 2:1 

• Almighty - Revelation 1:8 

• Alpha - Revelation 1:8 

• Amen - Revelation 3:14 

• Angel of the Lord - Genesis 16:7 

• Anointed One - Psalm 2:2 

• Apostle - Hebrews 3:1 

• Author and Perfecter of our Faith - Hebrews 12:2 

• Beginning - Revelation 21:6 

• Bishop of Souls - 1 Peter 2:25 

• Branch - Zechariah 3:8 

• Bread of Life - John 6:35,48 

• Bridegroom - Matthew 9:15 

• Carpenter - Mark 6:3 

• Chief Shepherd - 1 Peter 5:4 

• The Christ - Matthew 1:16 

• Comforter - Jeremiah 8:18 

• Consolation of Israel - Luke 2:25 

• Cornerstone - Ephesians 2:20 

• Dayspring - Luke 1:78 

• Day Star - 2 Peter 1:19 

• Deliverer - Romans 11:26 

• Desire of Nations - Haggai 2:7 

• Emmanuel - Matthew 1:23 

• End - Revelation 21:6 

• Everlasting Father - Isaiah 9:6 

• Faithful and True Witness - Revelation 3:14 

• First Fruits - 1 Corinthians 15:23 

• Foundation - Isaiah 28:16 

• Fountain - Zechariah 13:1 

• Friend of Sinners - Matthew 11:19 

• Gate for the Sheep - John 10:7 

• Gift of God - 2 Corinthians 9:15 

• God - John 1:1 

• Glory of God - Isaiah 60:1 

• Good Shepherd - John 10:11 

• Governor - Matthew 2:6 

• Great Shepherd - Hebrews 13:20 

• Guide - Psalm 48:14

And many more.  Click thru the link for the full list!

COOL TOOLS: The Names of God

We don't often think about names.  Expectant parents may look up the meanings of names, and history teachers may enjoy telling us the origin of names, but overall we tend to take them at face value.  But the Bible is very intentional about names.  When major figures go through a life-changing experience, their name is changed - Abram to Abraham, Saul to Paul, etc.

So, what about the names given to God?  The name chosen to describe Him at various points in scripture can be VERY significant.  So, why not go over to the Blue Letter Bible and see their section on The Names of God?  I think you'll be surprised!

BIBLE FACTOID: How were the books of the Bible named?

Have you ever noticed that the naming system for the books of the Bible seems to be all over the place?  You have seemingly topical names (Genesis), summary names (Psalms), author names (Matthew), recipient names (Philippians), and even literary names (Song of Solomon).  Is there any pattern?  (Actually, yes.)

• The names of OT books in Hebrew are based on the first prominent word or phrase in that book
• The names of OT books in Greek (and English) are based on the general topic of the book

HUMOR: God's Name

Not mine. From here.

A blonde got into heaven, and when she arrived at the Golden Gates, she was asked one question: "What is God's name?" She replied, "Andy."

"Andy? Why Andy?", she was asked.

She replied, "Oh, you know, 'Andy walks with me, Andy talks with me, Andy tells me I am his own.'

What's in a name?

I'm sure everyone is aware what Coach Mark, Coach Matt, and Coach Jim (James) all have in common, right? We all have Biblical names (i.e. names derived from the Apostles). While a Biblical name doesn't give us any special grace, it does say something to the world about us and about our parents. Names are important things - as proven by the fact that God often renames people when he calls them (Abram -> Abraham, Simon -> Peter, Saul -> Paul). So, what about a man named "God's Gift Achiuwa"? He must have a story to tell!

Meet God's Gift Achiuwa, a 6-foot-9 forward at Erie Community College who has already caught the attention of some high-profile Division I programs because of both his stellar play and unusual name. The Nigeria native's father is a minister, so the first name he chose for his son is a reflection of the family's devout religious beliefs.

"His name is the first thing that anyone asks about when they meet him," Erie coach Alex Nwora said by phone. "Everyone thought it was a nickname or something, but that's his real name. Fortunately, he's a religious kid, so he likes it."

HUMOR: Names are funny things

A burglar enters a home and is greeted by "Jesus is watching!"
He shines his flashlight around and finds no one.
He takes another step to hear "Jesus is watching you."
This time he shines the light to discover a parrot.
He asks, "Was that you talking ?"
The parrot answers "Yes."
The burglar asks, "What is your name?"
The parrot replies, "Clarence."
The burglar asks, "What idiot named you Clarence?"
The parrot replies, "The same idiot that named the Doberman Jesus."