I’ve often wondered what is meant by the Matthean text, “Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” The name (to onoma, singular) could be collective, so that the Persons are understood to be united; but what I wonder is if it isn’t “one Name that rules them all,” so to speak. Namely (bad pun), YHWH.
In Rev. 14.1, the 144,000 have inscribed upon their foreheads “[the Lamb's] name and His Father’s name.” (NKJ omits “[the Lamb's] name,” although both my Nestle-Aland and Byzantine texts have the longer text given above.) Is that two names written on the foreheads (the name of the Lamb and another name, of the Father), or one name that denotes them both? Do the Father and the Son share the NAME, YHWH? I tend to think so, although sometimes I wonder if the Father is ineffable, beyond naming personally other than “God” or “Father,” and the existence of a personal name (e.g., YHWH) means we are dealing with One of Irenaeus’s “Two Hands.”
Lots of questions lately, few answers.
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Brother Christopher, I received and answered a question on this topic some while ago. after reading your ponderings, I figure I’ll go back and check Irenaeus again. If you’d like to see my (current) conclusions, please check out Baptism — “In the Name” or “In the Names” and let me know what you think.
Peace,
Walt
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