Each year, thousands of people change their names. Some of these changes reflect a deep desire for a new life. “I changed my name and it changed me,” wrote singer Alina Simone in The New York Times. “When I think back to my old self, I think of an entirely different person, not altogether likable,” she reflects. That old person, Alina Vilenkin, was put aside. Alina Simone formed a band, tried new things, and poured her “best self” into her new name.
A visitor to one of Alina’s gigs liked her name so much that she took it too! For this woman, a failed marriage had left her wondering who she was. Changing her name gave her a “new birthday”—an opportunity to be “reborn.”
Life is clearly not working for many people. They want to be released from their past. A name change seemingly offers salvation. A change of name can indeed mark a significant change in one’s life. Abram and Sarai had such an experience (Genesis 17:5,15-21). Simon became Peter (John 1:42), and Saul the Pharisee was later known as the apostle Paul (Acts 13:9).
But there is a fundamental difference between these scenarios and an official or legal identity change—the supernatural. Abram and Sarai were old and barren, but as Abraham and Sarah they miraculously conceived a son (Genesis 21:1-7). Saul had been a murderer (Acts 9:1-2; Galatians 1:13) and Simon Peter a coward (John 18:15-18, John 18:25-27), but Paul became history’s finest missionary and Peter was crucified for his brave following of Jesus. For these followers of God, it wasn’t just their names that changed but their souls—through a supernatural encounter with God. It led to the new life we each desire.
Become like Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18), and one day, you too will get a new name (Revelation 2:17).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 2 Samuel 13:20-39
More:
Consider the reasons for the name change of Jacob (Genesis 32:22-32) and the nickname for Joseph (Acts 4:36-37).
Next:
Why would you want to change your name and start again? Why do you think biblical name changes were important?
mike wittmer on April 8, 2013 at 9:23 am
Great post, Sheridan. I wonder what our new name will be. Any ideas?
sheridan voysey on April 8, 2013 at 11:08 am
Even if I did have an idea of what mine was it wouldn’t be worth telling you – Revelation 2:17 says the name will be understood only by the one who receives it!
Which is kinda cool when you think about it.
A specially chosen name for each of us.
sheridan voysey on April 8, 2013 at 11:09 am
However, I do hope my new name has both a manly and angelic feel to it 🙂
tom felten on April 8, 2013 at 10:03 am
Sheridan, thanks for these thoughts on the ongoing transformation we experience in Jesus. What hope this brings, regardless of our past and the darkness of shame over our past that threatens to make us forget our “new name”!
gndlareg on April 8, 2013 at 12:19 pm
I think the main lesson here is our renewed identity in Jesus Christ. Having a change in name is just physical and does not really mean much. However because of Christ work on the cross, our identity has been changed, from sinner to saint, and from enemy to son.
=)
sheridan voysey on April 8, 2013 at 1:46 pm
I think you’re right, gndlareg. I think the name change of those biblical figures was meant to signify the changes God was making in their lives and futures. The change was God’s, the name confirmed those changes.
strngwmnnchrst on April 8, 2013 at 1:40 pm
Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind but now I see…..Thank you Jesus…
Isn’t God amazing? He took a murderer (Saul), changed his name and set him on a new path……He became very instrumental to the body of Christ….A murderer? WOW!! This tells us something very important; none of us has an excuse….No matter how bad you think you are or even how good you think you are, God can still use us to bring about change on the earth…..He made provision for ALL to come, through Jesus……No one is excluded………That’s our great big God…..
sheridan voysey on April 8, 2013 at 1:46 pm
Indeed.
daisymarygoldr on April 16, 2013 at 2:02 am
In the church where I grew up, many converts from pagan backgrounds are given a Biblical name at baptism. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, our names change to bear His name and we become Christ-like to reflect His character. Thus, the old life is gone and a new life has begun. 2 Corinthians 5:17
Note, the new name in Revelation 2:17, is not given to the entire church in Pergamum. Some got seduced by false teachings and showed spiritual infidelity towards God due to idolatry and sexual immorality. But everyone who is victorious will receive a new name. It is not that each believer gets a different name and we go around guarding our secret identities.
It is important to interpret Scripture with Scripture and understand a passage in light of what the rest of the Bible says on the topic. It says, all of us will receive His name (Revelation 3:12; 14:1; 22:4). The name is secret in the sense it is known only to those who receive the stone.
A new name signifies our calling and covenant unity with God. When a woman enters into a covenant relationship in marriage she receives the name of her husband. Similarly, the faithful remnant in the church—the bride of Christ takes on the new name of our heavenly bridegroom. Real change comes from a personal encounter with Jesus Christ and leads to a new life in relationship with Him.
tom felten on April 16, 2013 at 8:29 am
Thanks for sharing these thoughts, daisymarygoldr. Love the idea of people receiving a new name at baptism. Just as being baptized presents an outward display of inward repentance and transformation, so the new name shows our identity is now found in Jesus!