What verses say Jesus is
named these things:
- Wonderful Counselor?
- Mighty God?
- Everlasting Father?
- Prince of Peace?
I'll wait.
No need to wait-just believe.
The designations in Isaiah 9:6 ("Wonderful Counselor," "Mighty God," "Everlasting Father," "Prince of Peace") are best understood as titles rather than personal names. These titles describe the character, authority, and roles of the Messiah, encapsulating His divine nature and mission.
Reasons they are considered titles:
Contextual Usage in Isaiah:
In ancient Near Eastern literature, it was common for rulers and significant figures to be ascribed descriptive titles that reflected their attributes or the functions they fulfilled. Isaiah 9:6 follows this pattern, providing a list of attributes that describe the nature of the coming Messiah.
The Hebrew Word for "Name" (שֵׁם, shem):
The phrase "his name shall be called" (וַיִּקְרָא שְׁמוֹ, wayyiqra shemo) in Hebrew does not necessarily refer to a literal personal name. Instead, it often denotes one's reputation, character, or descriptive identity, as seen in other biblical contexts (e.g., Exodus 34:5-7, where God's name refers to His attributes).
The Compound Nature of the Terms:
These are not single-word names but phrases that convey roles or characteristics:
Wonderful Counselor: A title signifying extraordinary wisdom and guidance.
Mighty God: A declaration of divine power and strength.
Everlasting Father: A title emphasizing care, protection, and eternal authority.
Prince of Peace: A role indicating the establishment of peace and harmony.
New Testament Corroboration:
The New Testament identifies Jesus Christ fulfilling these roles (e.g., His wisdom in John 14:6, His divinity in John 1:1, His eternal kingship in Revelation 1:8, and His role as the bringer of peace in Ephesians 2:14), but it does not record Him being addressed by these exact phrases as personal names.
Thus, these are honorific titles that collectively describe the Messiah's divine identity and mission, rather than a list of literal names by which He is called.
And thanks for bringing this up-now you have NO excuse not to believe Messiah--is YHVH.
Biblical Basis for Identifying Jesus as YHWH:
Jesus’ Use of the Divine Name:
In John 8:58, Jesus declares, "Before Abraham was, I am." This statement echoes God’s self-revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:14, where God says, "I AM THAT I AM" (אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה, Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh). The use of "I am" (ἐγώ εἰμι, ego eimi in Greek) by Jesus strongly implies His identification with YHWH.
The reaction of the Jews-attempting to stone Him for blasphemy-further confirms they understood Him to be claiming divine identity (John 8:59).
Old Testament Passages Applied to Jesus:
Isaiah 40:3 speaks of a voice crying in the wilderness, "Prepare the way of the LORD (YHWH)." This is explicitly applied to Jesus in Mark 1:2-3, identifying Him as YHWH whose way John the Baptist prepared.
Joel 2:32 declares, "Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD (YHWH) will be saved." Paul quotes this verse in Romans 10:13 and applies it directly to Jesus, indicating His identity as YHWH.
Jesus’ Divine Authority and Attributes:
Jesus demonstrates divine prerogatives, such as forgiving sins (Mark 2:5-7), which the scribes recognize as something only God (YHWH) can do.
He possesses divine attributes, including omnipresence (Matthew 28:20), omniscience (John 21:17), and omnipotence (Matthew 28:18).
Jesus as Creator and Sustainer:
In John 1:1-3, Jesus is identified as the Logos, through whom all things were made. This role is attributed to YHWH in the Old Testament (e.g., Psalm 33:6, Isaiah 44:24).
Colossians 1:16-17 confirms that Jesus created and sustains all things, consistent with YHWH’s role as Creator.
Jesus Receives Worship:
In the New Testament, Jesus is worshipped (e.g., Matthew 28:9, John 20:28), something reserved exclusively for YHWH (Exodus 20:3-5).
Thomas explicitly addresses Him as "My Lord and my God" (John 20:28), affirming His divine status.
Theological Explanation:
The doctrine of the Trinity maintains that the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit are distinct persons yet one God. While Jesus is not the Father, He shares the same divine essence as the Father and the Spirit. Therefore, Jesus is fully YHWH, the eternal God, alongside the Father and the Spirit.
This Trinitarian understanding avoids the errors of-
Modalism (the belief that the Father, Son, and Spirit are modes of one person) and
Tritheism (the belief in three separate gods).
Scripture consistently presents Jesus as YHWH, not as a separate deity but as the incarnate Son who fully participates in the identity, attributes, and works of the one true God.
J.
