Believing on His Name

In his vision of the celestial kingdom, Joseph Smith recorded this description of those who would be there: “They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial” (D&C 76:51).  The phrase to “believe on his name” is one that is repeated numerous times in the scriptures of the Restoration as a description of those to whom Jesus will bring salvation.  Samuel the Lamanite told the Nephites, “Then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name” (Helaman 14:2).  Nephi promised us, “All those who shall believe on his name shall be saved in the kingdom of God” (2 Nephi 25:13).  At the time of his conversion Lamoni declared, “I have seen my Redeemer; and he shall come forth, and be born of a woman, and he shall redeem all mankind who believe on his name” (Alma 19:13).  Aaron testified to the father of Lamoni that “the plan of redemption” was “for all whosoever would believe on his name” (Alma 22:13).  Ammon declared to his brethren, “He comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name” (Alma 26:35).  Amulek taught the people of the Zoramites, “And thus he shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on his name; this being the intent of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance” (Alma 34:15).  Believing on the name of Christ bring salvation, redemption, and a place in the kingdom of God. 

               There are a couple of things that are interesting to me about this phrase.  First, I was surprised to see that the scriptures use the phrase “believe on his name” and not “believe in his name”.  The former phrase occurs in over a dozen references such as the ones above, whereas the latter occur only once (2 Nephi 9:24).  To me the use of the preposition “on” instead of “in” seems to suggest actions that are required of the believer.  To believe “in” something sounds to me more passive than to believe “on” something.  Just as we build a house on a foundation, so too must we build our lives on our belief that Christ is really able to deliver us and act accordingly.  When we believe on his name perhaps we are saying that He comes first in our lives, and everything else comes on top of that belief.  It’s also interesting that the Lord would speak at all about believing on the name of Christ—why not just “believe on Jesus Christ” instead of using the name?  Perhaps this highlights the fact that for most Christians, all we have to believe is a name.  Most of us will never be able to see Him face to face in this life or hear His actual physical voice—all we have is the name. We don’t know what He looks like or sounds like, but we do know His name and we can experience the power of His name as we take the Sacrament or pray or testify in His name.