682. "The name of the Lord Jesus Christ" means in the Word nothing else than acknowledgment of Him, and a life according to His commandments. The reason why His name has that signification may be seen in the explanation of the second commandment of the Decalogue:
Thou shalt not take the name of God in vain (Exod. 20:7).
Nothing else is meant by the name of the Lord in the following passages:
Jesus said, Ye shall be hated of all nations for My name's sake (Matt. 10:22; 24:9, 10).
Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them (Matt. 18:20).
As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become sons of God, even to them that believe on His name (John 1:12).
Many believed in His name (John 2:23).
He that believeth not hath been judged already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God (John 3:17, 18).
Those who believe shall have life in His name (John 20:31).
For My name's sake thou hast labored, and hast not fainted (Apoc. 2:3). (And elsewhere. )
[2] Who does not see that "the name of the Lord" in these usages does not mean merely His name, but the acknowledgment of Him as being the Redeemer and Savior, together with obedience, and finally faith in Him? For in baptism the child receives the sign of the cross on the forehead and breast which is a sign of initiation into the acknowledgment and worship of the Lord. "Name" also means the quality of anyone; because in the spiritual world everyone is named according to his quality; therefore a man's taking the name Christian means his quality, - that he has from Christ faith in Christ and charity toward the neighbor. Such is the meaning of "name" in the Apocalypse:
The Son of man said, Thou hast a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy (3:4).
"Walking with the Son of man in white" signifies following the Lord and living according to the truths of His Word. "Name" has the same meaning in John:
Jesus said, The sheep hear His voice, and He calleth His own sheep by name, and leadeth them out; He goeth before them and the sheep follow Him, for they know His voice; and a stranger they do not follow, they know not the voice of strangers (10:3-5).
"By name" means by their quality, that they are Christians; and "to follow Him" is to hear His voice, that is, to obey His commandments. All receive this name in baptism, for it is involved in that sign.