Christos (G5547), meaning Anointed or Christ, signifies Jesus' role as Savior and Preserver. Though some claim His name is sacred only in Hebrew and that English is pagan, this lacks scriptural support, for the New Testament was inspired in Greek, including quotations from the Old Testament containing God's names and titles. No Hebrew copies exist. The angel instructed Mary to call her son Iesous, and Paul wrote of those sanctified in Christos Iesous. God enables His chosen people to call on His name in any language, provided there is a new heart and spirit. Jesus emphasizes revering His name, praying in it, and declaring the Father's name, yet salvation depends on obedience and doing the Father's will, not pronunciation.

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The Plain Truth About the "Sacred Name"

Herbert W. Armstrong Booklet

The contention surrounding the use of Hebrew names for Christ, referred to as Christos (G5547), is rooted in a belief that the English word Christ is of pagan origin, and thus, the Hebrew name Yahshua should be used instead. This teaching asserts that the names of the Savior are sacred only in the Hebrew language, and it is wrong to use English names for Him. However, this claim lacks scriptural support, as there is no command in the Bible that mandates the use of Hebrew names exclusively for Christ. The New Testament was originally written in Greek, inspired by the living Word, Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit, and the names and titles of Christ were inspired to be written in Greek, not Hebrew. Even quotations from the Old Testament in the New Testament, containing names or titles of God, were inspired by the Holy Spirit to be recorded in Greek. This demonstrates that the usage of names in languages other than Hebrew is consistent with divine inspiration. The argument that the New Testament might have been originally written in Hebrew and that Greek copies are erroneous lacks evidence, as all preserved original writings are in Greek, with no Hebrew copies existing. Therefore, the insistence on using only Hebrew names for Christ contradicts the inspired usage in the Scriptures.

What Is the Prophesied 'Pure Language'? (Part Three)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

God opened salvation to those of any human language He chose to call, enabling His chosen people to call on His name in any language of men, provided there is a new heart and a new spirit. The apostle Paul, in his first epistle to the Corinthians written in Greek, refers to those who are sanctified in Christos Iesous, as Christ Jesus is transliterated from the Greek, and mentions all who call on the name of Iesous Christos. When the angel appeared to Mary, he instructed her to call her son Iesous, a name not in Hebrew or Aramaic, differing from the names of God known to earlier heroes of faith. Through repentance, baptism, and the receipt of the Holy Spirit, a cleansing takes place, and a new heart is given, teaching the lips to speak in a way that reflects a new spiritual reality, allowing one to call on the name of the Lord in true worship, regardless of the language used.

A Pure Language

Sermonette by

We don't need to be experts in Hebrew or use Hebrew names to call on the name of the Lord, nor is Hebrew sacred. Pure language comes from an undefiled heart.

The Names of God

'Ready Answer' by Martin G. Collins

The omnipotent God of the Bible emphasizes the importance of revering His name, and Jesus Christ, as part of the God Family, is central to this reverence. In the New Testament, Jesus instructs that we should pray to the Father in His name, highlighting the power and authority behind it. The name Christos, meaning Anointed or Christ, signifies His role as the Savior and Preserver, embodying divine attributes. Healings performed by God's ministers in the name of Jesus Christ demonstrate the sacredness of His name across languages. Furthermore, Jesus declares that many deceivers would come in His name, underscoring its significance and the need for genuine reverence rather than mere pronunciation. His prophecy and teachings emphasize that salvation and true worship are not based on how His name is pronounced, but on obedience and doing the will of the Father. Jesus Himself reveals and declares the name of the Father to His disciples, focusing on the character and reality behind the name rather than its sound or spelling.

Cyrus: God's Anointed

'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

When we think of messiah, we think of Jesus Christ. Yet the Bible has a much broader definition. The pagan emperor Cyrus the Great was also a messiah!

Anointing With Oil

Sermon by Ted E. Bowling

Being anointed is no guarantee of healing unless it is part of God's will. Sometimes a thorn in the flesh may produce some undeveloped character.

The Kingdom of God Scepter Bearer

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The seventh trumpet announces the decisive transition from human rule to the everlasting Kingdom of God, when Jesus Christ returns as King of Kings and reigns with a scepter of righteousness. Scripture traces this royal authority through God's promises to Abraham, Judah, and David, culminating in Christ, whose rule will replace the world's corrupt systems with perfect justice, mercy, and authority. While awaiting His return, believers are called not to obsess over when He will come, but to prepare by allowing the King to reign within them now. Through trials, perseverance, character, and hope, God shapes His people into the likeness of Christ. This living hope motivates holiness, obedience, and overcoming, so that when the King appears, His faithful followers may share in His eternal Kingdom.

Are You a Christian?

'Ready Answer' by David C. Grabbe

One-third of earth's population calls itself 'Christian' despite vast differences in doctrine. Should God's elect, true disciples of Christ, use this name?

The Four Cups of Wine

Sermonette by Clyde Finklea

Jewish tradition calls for four cups of wine on Passover based on God's 'I will' statements in Exodus 6:6-7, which apply to the Israel of God today.