There’s a New Name

By Dr. Jim Pratt WRITTEN DOWN IN GLORY THERE’S A NEW NAME

As a child growing up in the Bethel General Baptist Church, we would sometimes sing a song titled, “A New Name in Glory”, written in 1910 by C. Austin Miles. The chorus repeats a key sentence “There’s a new name written down in glory and its mine, oh yes it’s mine”

The Bible addresses the subject of gaining a new name upon conversion when it states, “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it. (Revelation 2:17 NIV)

The idea of a new name addressed in the song and Bible verse mentioned above has taken on a special meaning to me since my trip to India December 27, 2019 – January 8, 2020. GBIM Director Mark Powell and myself were a part of a mission team that included nine individuals from the Risen Church in Dexter, Missouri. The trip was transformational for each of us but especially for Pastor Jeff Roth after he was given the responsibility of naming a baby and two converts. Pastor Jeff described his experiences this way. My wife is currently pregnant and so the name deliberations have begun at our house. It’s not easy naming a kid. They will have to live with whatever name you give them the rest of their lives. It’s a big responsibility! So when I was asked to dedicate a 45 day old baby girl while in India I was a little taken back when Jessey told me that I now had to give her a name. Who am I to name this child? I did the only thing I knew to do: said a quick prayer, looked deep into that baby’s dark brown eyes and said the first name that popped in my mind, “Elizabeth.” It means “my God is abundance.”

A couple of days later I had the opportunity to baptize three people. If the converts have a Hindu name, they are given a Christian name upon their baptism. The woman I baptized was already named Mary so another name was not necessary for her. But I was to pick names for both of the gentlemen. I had a little more heads up on these names so I prayed and read my Bible looking for a name to leap off of the page. Stephen was the first name that struck me. He was the first Christian martyr and described in the Bible as a man full of faith, grace, and power. For the young man I chose the name Timothy. Timothy is described in the Bible as having a genuine faith, and Paul encouraged him to set an example for others despite his youth.

It’s been a couple weeks since then and the question that still rings in my mind is, “Who am I to give these people names?” The answer is, “I am nobody.” It was a great honor to be able to do so, and my hope is that they are inspired to live up to the example set by the people I named them after.

I look forward to one day in Heaven walking up to Elizabeth, Stephen, and Timothy, and telling them that I remember the day they were given their new names. May we stay committed to sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with as many people as possible so more new names can be written down in glory.