Should Christians Say Yeshua Instead of Jesus: Jesus vs Yesua
In Christianity, one of the commonly debated issues is the correctness of the name of the son of God. Usually the two names involved in this spiritual discourse are Yeshua and Jesus.
As believers, we have the power and authority that comes with the name of the son of God, and he expects us to use it. However, many Christians are still torn between using either Yeshua or Jesus.
The origin of the name Jesus
Jesus is well known as the core figure of Christianity, who is responsible for being the savior of humanity. According to many Christian scholars, Jesus Christ is God the Son in the flesh. And he is the savior who was promised as foretold in the scriptures by many prophets.
For to us, a child is born, to us, a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace, there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Before we were able to get access to the English translation of the scriptures, the Bible was originally written in three languages: Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic.
Jesus, which is an English name, was derived from Iesus (Latin), which gets its origin from a mix of the Aramaic and Hebrew names, which is translated as Joshua in English. Both Jesus and Joshua mean the same thing: Yah saves or savior.
The announcement of the name Jesus in the Bible
The most significant announcement recorded in the Bible was Jesus’ birth, as announced to Mary by the angel. This event was significant because Mary was informed that she was going to bear the savior of the world in her womb, without the need for copulation.
Luke 1: 30-31(ESV)
And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.
Mary did not need to think of a name to give to her child, because the angel came with a name that was divinely given.
Philippians 2:9-11 (ESV)
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so 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.
Which should we use to preach the gospel: Yeshua or Jesus
Some schools of thought believe that since Yeshua is the original name given to the son of God, it is best to use the name while preaching the gospel. While this is correct to an extent, it is important to consider some factors.
First off, even though the Bible is available in many languages today, English remains the dominant language that the Bible is translated into. This means that even people who have not been saved have likely heard about the name “Jesus” before at some point.
Using the name Yeshua when preaching to the unsaved might create room for confusion, especially if they speak and understand English. When you preach God’s word to the unsaved in a certain language, it is important to use the translated scriptures in that same language to prevent confusion and error.
As they become mature Christians, they can come to understand more about the name Jesus, its origin, and the different translations based on the original language that the Bible was written in.
There are different portions in the Bible that give the criteria for being saved when we preach the gospel to unbelievers.
Romans 10: 9-10 (ESV)
Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes and is justified, and with the mouth, one confesses and is saved.
Therefore, if you are preaching to the unsaved in English, use the name that they would be most familiar with. Eventually they will study the scriptures themselves, and they will encounter the name of Jesus severally.
When it comes to the Jew, the Greek, or any nationality, everyone is entitled to call on the name of Jesus in their native or preferred language.
Romans 10:11-13 (ESV)
For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
From these verses, there is no discrimination when calling the name of the Lord. He freely bestows his riches and grace on anyone who calls on him irrespective of the language they speak.
Yeshua or Jesus: Which authority can decide the right name to use
One of the questions that linger on the minds of Christians is the right name to call the son of God, since he was of Jewish descent, with the name Yeshua. Hence, to avoid falling into error, some Christians are skeptical about using this name, since it is not something they are familiar with.
More so, the Bible warns about not worshipping other gods. And since some of these gods have Jewish names, calling on the name of a false god is tantamount to full-blown idolatry.
Exodus 20:2-3 (ESV)
I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
“You shall have no other gods before me.”
Our perfect guide that correctly dictates the right name to use is the Bible
2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV)
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
The Bible is the roadmap we need as Christians to live a holy and victorious life on Earth. In addition, it contains guidelines that help us to make eternal life.
Therefore, if you are a Hebrew-speaking individual, using his Jewish name is not a sin because there is no ulterior motive, since it is your language. Similarly, if you decide to use his English name, Jesus, you’re still not committing any sin.
A Name higher than other names
When the supremacy of the name of the son of God is referenced from the Bible, it puts aside the Yeshua vs. Jesus debate. This is because the power that the name carries is available to everyone, irrespective of the language you speak or your nationality.
Jesus Christ’s name was given from Heaven, and it was announced to his earthly parents by the angels. This shows how special and powerful his name is.
Philippians 2:9-11 (ESV)
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so 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.
The name of Jesus is so revered because it is the only name that can save. There is no other name on Earth or in Heaven that can save humanity from their sin. This exclusivity has given Jesus, the son of God, a permanent status where no name can attain.
If you are faced with challenges, calling either Yeshua or Jesus works fine. Christians all over the world do not speak the same language. This implies that we don’t pray to God in the same language.
However, we serve a God that understands everyone in their peculiar language.
In the book of Acts 2, we see the power of God manifested when believers from different walks of life spoke in other languages that were understood by the original owners. This is one of the many proofs that if you refer to the son of God as either Yeshua or Jesus, it still works!
Acts 2:7-8 (ESV)
And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear each of us in his own native language?
Yeshua or Jesus- Which is more effective in the place of prayer
Prayer is a vital activity in Christianity, and there are different ways to carry out this practice. However, the core of this activity is that it is a communication between you and God exclusively. There are different types and forms of prayers in the scriptures for Christians to adopt.
The most popular prayer mentioned is the Lord’s Prayer, where Jesus gave his disciples the instructional manual on praying.
Some Christians have been divided over whether to pray in the name of Yeshua or the name of Jesus. This also questions the efficacy of our prayers, especially when you are unsure of which of the names you should pray with.
Therefore, we need to go back to the drawing board, and look at what Jesus says about praying in his name.
John 14: 13-14 (ESV)
Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
John 16: 23-24 (ESV)
In that day, you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
Since the Bible is available in different languages, the message remains the same. If you pray in the name of Jesus, your prayers will be answered. Therefore, if Yeshua means the son of God in your native language, you have the full autonomy to pray with the name.
On the other hand, if you are more familiar with the name “Jesus” in your language, it doesn’t prevent your prayers from getting answered, nor does it reduce its efficacy.
Yeshua vs. Jesus: Which name should we use to rebuke or cast out demons
As mentioned in the scriptures, one of the highlights of Jesus’ ministry was when he cast out the demons from people in their bondage. The scriptures also showed that one of the benefits of being a disciple of Jesus is exercising such powers.
Mark 16:17 (ESV)
And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name, they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Jesus informed his disciples that, provided they believe, they can perform wonders in his name. One of such astounding wonders was the ability to cast out demons as Jesus did.
Now, when Jesus mentioned “in my name,” he implied the name was given him from Heaven. Since the Bible was not originally written in English, we can correctly infer that he was referring to his Hebrew name, Yeshua.
However, this does not reduce the efficacy of the English name “Jesus.” Not everyone is conversant with the Hebrew Language. Only a small percentage of people will learn the language, to be used for conversational purposes and not as native speakers.
Hence, if an English-speaking Christian believes in the power of God to deliver, they can cast out demons using the name of Jesus.
Is it right to pray in the name of Paul?
One of the scriptures currently being erroneously interpreted is the story of the seven sons of Sceva, the Jewish priest. These men wanted to replicate the miracles that Paul was performing in the name of Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
They were met with huge resistance when they attempted to cast out demons, which taught them a bitter lesson.
Acts 19:15-16 (ESV)
But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them, and overpowered them so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
Since the evil spirit mentioned Paul, after affirming that it knew Jesus, some Christians have asked if it would be effective praying in the name of Paul. Here are some scriptures that give a clear answer
John 14: 13-14 (ESV)
Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
Luke 10:17-19 (ESV)
The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from Heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.
This means that aside from the name of Jesus, there is no other name that carries such volume of power, authority, and greatness to do wonders.
If you check Paul’s letters to the churches, you will observe that he never fails to salute Jesus Christ as a sign of reverence.
And if you read the accounts in the scriptures where Paul cast out demons, he did such miracles through the name of Jesus Christ.
Acts 16:17-18 (ESV)
She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.
Conclusion
After reading this article, it is expedient to reiterate that using Yeshua or Jesus as a Christian is not wrong. Ultimately, we acknowledge the name of the son of God to enforce our authority and victory over the devil, who has been defeated a long time ago.
Hence, irrespective of the name you use to pray or worship, it doesn’t reduce the efficacy of his power, because every name, situation, etc., will bow to him.
Philippians 2:9-11 (ESV)
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so 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.
