Expert: Brian Thompson - 6/27/2007

Question
QUESTION: I was reading the beliefs on the Assem of God website, and they state that Jesus is the name given exclusively to the Son of God, and the name of Jesus is not shared with the Father or the Holy Spirit.  So I was confused and wondering about when I address Jesus in prayer, am I still praying to all three persons in the Godhead, as one Lord God?  Or would I be speaking only to the Son of God directly, at that moment in prayer?

ANSWER: Each member of the Godhead is a unique personality but all are one, Jesus told us I am one with the Father So when you pray to Jesus you pray to God. You should not be concerned regarding this as the Mystery of the Trinity is for God alone, but Jesus is our High Priest before God so have faith that what you ask Jesus for will be done

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your thoughtful reply.  That does help me somewhat, but I am new at studying the Godhead, and I have family members who argue that the name of Jesus must also be the name of the Father and Holy Spirit; else, addressing prayer to Jesus would be only speaking to a separate entity of God, and not the fulness of God.  How would you address that argument?

Answer
I think you have to accept that Jesus is God indivisible from the Father. The Holy Spirit is also God indivisible from the Father. In the Old Testament the Lord says I am your salvation, in the New Testament Jesus makes exactly the same statement. That Statement embodies the jewish name of Jesus quite literally Jesus is one of the names of God. When you pray to Jesus you pray to God. However when we specifically want to address the Son of God we use the name Jesus. He has his own specific group of names which deal with the specific attributes of Jesus. When Jesus was born he was given the name Jesus by his Father. It wasn't man's idea to call him Jesus. His name is quite out of the Jewish tradition of naming family members. Therefore the AoG is quite correct that Jesus is the specific name of the Son of God, this in no way diminishes the status of Jesus in the Godhead, the name means Jehovah or Yehweh is salvation, a very appropriate name for Jesus. I'l say it again, When you address prayer to Jesus you address God

It is inadvisable to argue about spiritual matters, rather study and gain clear understanding for yourself. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you. Seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit and you will gain a relationship with God.