I have recently been in a debate on my space with Jay-man on the name of Christ. He is under the misconception that we are only saved if we use the Hebrew name “Yahushua”. (For anyone who is interested in reading what it says, it’s at http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=349417740&blogId=482518357)

    Ok, let me shatter this myth once and for all. Paul says in Romans;

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.  For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.  For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.   Romans 1:16-20 (ESV) (emphasis mine)

    First, salvation is for everyone who believes, not ones who use a certain word. It is faith that we live by. Second, Paul says that God’s nature is evident through His creation. This means that unbelievers who haven’t been told a name of God have no excuse of not accepting Him. People who have never been told the Hebrew name “Yahushua” have no excuse. What Jay man is saying goes against scripture. Anyone not knowing Hebrew would have an excuse!

Also, at Pentecost ;

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language  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? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,  Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome,  both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.”  Acts 2:1-11 (ESV)

 The scriptures clearly state that they all heard in their own language, not Hebrew. And I count 15 languages, many of which probably don’t even exist anymore. If salvation is only in the Hebrew name, God would have everyone hear and understand in Hebrew. Yet, everyone heard Peter’s sermon in their own language and;

So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls  Acts 2:41 (ESV)

About three thousand souls were saved in their own language. The scriptures are evident, it doesn’t matter what language you use, what matters is your faith and belief in God. Jesus (Yahushua) Himself said;

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him  John 3:16-17 (ESV)

Paul states in Romans;

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.  For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” Romans 10:9-11 (ESV)

The scriptures clearly say that whoever believes in God’s only Son shall not perish but have everlasting life and that it is with the heart that one believes, not words. It is with the mouth one confesses, Paul does not state that a certain language must be used. If you need to go to God, just go, do it in your own words, God knows your heart, He’ll understand. If you need help with what to say, please see the salvation prayer on the home page of this site. God bless.