what does it mean to take upon the name of christ
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are commanded to partake of the sacrament each calendar week (see D&C 59:9, 12). When the priest offers the scriptural prayer on the bread, he prays to God, the Eternal Father, that all who partake may "witness unto thee . . . that they are willing to accept upon them the proper noun of thy Son" (D&C 20:77; Moro. 4:3). This renews the covenant made in the waters of baptism that we volition take upon usa the name of Jesus Christand "serve him and go along his commandments" (Mosiah 18:10). In modern scriptures persons desiring to be baptized are required to witness before the Church "that they take truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the proper noun of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the stop" (D&C 20:37; see as well 2 Ne. 31:13; Moro. half-dozen:3).
What does it mean when we covenant past baptism and by partaking of the sacrament that nosotros are "willing to accept upon [united states of america] the name of Jesus Christ?" There are at to the lowest degree three meanings.
The first meaning concerns identification. We take upon us our Savior's name in this sense when nosotros get members of the Church that bears His name. Past His commandment, His Church building is named The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (D&C 115:4). Similarly, we take upon us the proper name of Jesus Christ whenever we publicly proclaim our belief in Him. In this, nosotros keep the modern commandment: "Accept upon you the name of Christ, and speak the truth in soberness" (D&C xviii:21). We also take upon us His name—His identity—whenever nosotros act upon our faith in Him. Elderberry Jeffrey R. Holland explains this:
"In every bit many ways every bit possible, both figuratively and literally, we try to take upon the states his identity. We seek out his teachings and retell his miracles. We ship latter-24-hour interval witnesses, including prophets, apostles, and missionaries, around the earth to declare his message. Nosotros call ourselves his children, and nosotros testify that he is the only source of eternal life" ["Come Unto Me," Ensign, April 1998, 16].
A 2d significance of taking upon u.s.a. the name of Christ applies the meaning of the name of God as the say-so or work of God. By witnessing our willingness to have upon us the name of Jesus Christ, we signify our willingness to act in His authorisation and to do His work, which is to bring to pass the eternal life of man. By this means we covenant to take callings in His Church and to be diligent in fulfilling the responsibilities of those callings. This meaning and this covenant cast new light on the third commandment, "Thou shalt not take the proper noun of the Lord thy God in vain"(Ex. xx:seven). More than than a commandment against speaking the words of sacred names improperly (equally by profanity), this is besides a commandment not to be inactive in exercising His authority that has been conferred upon us or in conveying out that portion of His piece of work that has been assigned to the states.
The third meaning of our witnessed willingness to take upon the states the proper name of Jesus Christ relies on the fact that what we witness is not that we take upon us His proper noun but that we are willing to practice so. This meaning must therefore relate to some futurity event or status that is not self-assumed but depends on the authority or initiative of the Savior Himself. Only upon His action volition we actually have His holy name upon united states of america in this important sense.
What time to come result or status could this covenant contemplate? This pregnant of taking His name upon usa concerns our relationship to our Savior and the incomprehensible blessings available to those who will eventually accomplish what the Apostle Paul chosen "a perfect man [or woman], unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ" (Eph. 4:13). According to this meaning, when we witness our willingness to have upon us the name of Jesus Christ, we are signifying our commitment to do all that we tin to exist counted among those whom He will cull to stand at His right hand and be chosen by His proper name (His essence) at the last day. In this sacred sense, our witness that we are "willing to take upon u.s. the proper name of Jesus Christ" constitutes our proclamation of candidacy for exaltation in the celestial kingdom. By this means we witness our decision to exercise all that we can to come up unto Christ and receive the fulness of the Begetter, which is eternal life, "the greatest of all the gifts of God" (D&C 14:vii).
In summary, we may retrieve of the sacramental covenant to take upon the states the name of Jesus Christ as comprising at to the lowest degree three meanings, each expressive of a different and ascending level of spiritual progress or maturity. Start, we signify our willingness to be identified as a laic in Jesus Christ and equally a member of the Church that bears His proper noun and proclaims His gospel throughout the world. Second, we signify our willingness to have upon the states our assigned measure of the authority and work of the Savior to bring to laissez passer the eternal life of the children of God, including accepting and laboring diligently to fulfill the responsibilities of our own callings in His kingdom. 3rd, we witness our commitment to strive to qualify for exaltation in the celestial kingdom.
Atomic number 82 image from lds.org
Using personal insight and excerpts from the standard works, President Oaks takes a fascinating expect at the meaning of the Savior'due south holy name in our worship and beliefs. Truly, His holy name is a vital portion of our understanding and faith in the restored gospel. President Oaks recounts the words of John: "Simply these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name" (John twenty:31). And, explains this modern-mean solar day Apostle, "In this context, 'his proper name' means His work and His plan of salvation with all of its glorious provisions for the children of God."
Source: https://www.ldsliving.com/president-oaks-shares-3-meanings-behind-the-baptismal-covenant-that-will-change-how-you-see-the-sacrament/s/89104
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