Topic: Take the name of Christ

2 Nephi 31:11-13 > Matthew 28:19-20 > The Acts 2:38 > Mosiah 1:11-12 > Mosiah 5:7-12 > Mosiah 26:18 > John 14:13-14 > John 15:16 > Colossians 3:17 > The Acts 9:15 > Jacob 4:5-6 > 3 Nephi 8:1 > 3 Nephi 27:7-10 > Luke 22:19-20 > Moroni 4:3 > Doctrine and Covenants 1:20

This topic falls right into place with our previous topics on Baptism and Repentance. We will begin with verses of scripture from the Book of Mormon, which review very well all that we have learned up to this point concerning Faith in Christ, Repentance, Baptism and the Gift of the Holy Ghost. We are commanded by the Father to repent of our sins and receive baptism in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ both of which require that we exercise faith in Christ. After we are received unto baptism, we are promised that the Father will give us the gift of the Holy Ghost, the baptism of fire. We are then commanded to follow Jesus and do the works that we have seen Him do. We did not physically see Him perform His works with our own eyes, but rather we have seen them in vision as we study His life in the scriptures. Finally, we read in verse 13 that when we are baptized we take upon ourselves the name of Christ. We are adopted into His family becoming His sons and His daughters. He is the Father of our salvation. At this time, I include the verses in Matthew chapter 28 verses 19 and 20, to further remind us that the commandment of Christ to His disciples was to go into all the world and baptize the believers. We see in The Acts chapter 2 verse 38, that they did just that.

In the Book of Mormon, in the book of Mosiah, we read of a great king named Benjamin and the account of his desire to have his people take upon themselves the name of Christ. We read in chapter 1 verses 11 and 12 that his people were a diligent people in keeping the commandments of God therefore, they were worthy to take upon themselves the name of Christ. The great truth here is that we cannot simply assume the name of Christ, or call ourselves by His name, but we must be worthy to do so. He expects certain things from us. He simply does not let anyone take upon themselves His name without proper preparation, for we learn that when someone takes upon himself the name of Christ that it distinguishes him from all the people of the earth. We must measure up to His qualification. Once we have taken upon ourselves His name, it can only be blotted out through transgression or sin. Later in the account in chapter 5 verses 7 through 12, we learn that we take upon ourselves the name of Christ through the ordinance of baptism. We become His sons and daughters for He has spiritually begotten us. We learn that we are made free under His name and that we should be obedient to Him all the days of our lives. This is what is meant by enduring to the end. If we remain obedient to Him then we will find ourselves on His right hand for we know and recognize the voice who calls us and the name by which we are called, even the name of Christ. Later in the book of Mosiah chapter 26 verse 18, we learn that those who are willing to bear the name of Christ and be called in His name are Christ’s. The word bear in this verse is significant, for not only do we take upon ourselves His name, but we are willing to bear it or carry it throughout the world, where ever we may go.

In the next two scripture references in John chapters 14 and 15, we are reminded that we are to do all things in the name of Christ; although these verses address prayer, it is most certainly applicable in all things, for Paul states as much in Colossians chapter 3 verse 17. These verses of scripture become more meaningful to us now that we understand that we are to take upon ourselves the name of Christ. If we are bearing His name in all things and in all places, then all that we do, we do in His name. No wonder all our works should be works of righteousness; no wonder we should always remember Him and keep His commandments, for we are bearing His name in all that we do. This was the words of Christ as recorded in the book of The Acts chapter 9 verse 15, when speaking to Ananias concerning Saul that he would bear His name unto, “The Gentiles, kings and the children of Israel”. Taking upon ourselves the name of Christ and remembering that everything we do or say is a reflection upon Him is easily understandable when we think of this in terms of our own surname. My name is Gowans and when I do any act of kindness, or when I am thoughtful toward a neighbor or someone in need it is associated with that name. Then in the future, if the recipient of that kindness or good deed meets another Gowans they will associate that name with good. On the other hand, the opposite may be true as well. If my friends and associates know that I am someone who has taken upon myself the name of Christ then they will associate all that I do with what a Christian does. Will Christians receive a black eye due to my actions, words and deeds, or will they be well thought of?

In Jacob chapter 4 verses 5 and 6, we read great examples of works that can be done in the name of Christ. Of course, men of great faith, those who bore the name of Christ honorably, accomplished these great works. This is verified by the instruction found in 3 Nephi chapter 8 verse 1, where it says that he, “Was cleansed every whit from his iniquity”. Only the truly repentant can bear the name of Christ with such great faith to do such might works.

The greatest explanation of the importance of taking upon ourselves the name of Christ is found in the words of Christ as he instructed the Nephites. 3 Nephi chapter 26 verses 7 through 10 contain Christ’s own explanation on why we must be called in His name. The single most important thing I want to point out is that if we are called by any other name, other than Christ’s, then we are not His. For this very reason the name of His church bears His name, “The Church of Jesus Christ”. If it were called by any other name it would not be His church. We are baptized in His name, confirmed and blessed in His name. When we partake of the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper we reconfirm our willingness to take upon ourselves His name and to always remember Him. We can find this recommitment in Luke chapter 22 verses 19 and 20, Moroni chapter 4 verse 3 and chapter 5 verse 2. With this frequent recommitment, we should be able to always remember that we have taken upon ourselves His name and act accordingly.

Finally, in Doctrine and Covenants section 1 verse 20 we learn that it is the will of our Lord, Jesus Christ that we all speak in His name. In other words, it is His desire that we all receive baptism, take upon ourselves His name, and do all things, righteously, in His name.