Re: Revelation 3:4 OLIGA ONOMATA

Edgar Krentz (ekrentz@lstc.edu)
Wed, 27 Aug 1997 13:11:22 -0500

>Rev 3:4 ALLA EChEIS OLIGA *ONOMATA* EN SARDESIN hA OUK EMOLUNAN TA IMATIA
>AUTWN
>But you have a few "names" en Sardis who have not soiled their clothing.
>
>This caught my attention. ONOMATA, meaning literally "names", is used to
>refer to people here. This usage also shows up in Acts 1:15:
>
>Acts 1:15 HN TE OChLOS *ONOMATWN* EPI TO AUTO hWSEI hEKATON EIKOSI
>And the crowd of "names" gathered together were about 120.
>
>In each of these verses, "name" is used as a synonym for a person. How
>common is this usage? Does this have ramifications for our understanding of
>the phrase "in the name of Jesus"? If we believe in the name of Jesus, is
>this the same as believing in Jesus?
>
>Jonathan

Look at Matt 28:18-20, where the baptismal formula is EIS TO ONOMA, not EN
TWi ONOMATI. I understand that to mean into the Lordship or ownership of
the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

In short, it is not a formula to be said in baptism. It also accounts for
the fact that elsewhere in the NT, baptism is related to the Lord, or Jesus.

And look at the first petition of the Lord's prayer. Here too ONOMA does
not really mean a name; it stands for the one behind the name.

Peace.

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