Is it important to use the name of God?

This is an observation about how "hiding" the name of God causes confusion of beliefs and appears to reduce God's role in our salvation.

In Romans 10:13, Paul says "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved," He was actually quoting a portion of the Hebrew scriptures, or Old Testament. Joel 2:32 says "And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered."

These quotations are taken from the King James version. In this translation, the Hebrew name for God (the Tetragrammaton YHWH) is shown as LORD in capital letters.

So, if someone reads Romans 10:13 in this translation, they will think that the Lord referred to is Jesus Christ. "Call on the name of Jesus and you will be saved" say many road-side pulpit signs. Er, no, actually. Paul meant for people to call upon the name of Jesus' father, Almighty God. That is why he quoted Joel 2:32. Jews knew that scripture meant the name of God, and Paul was a well-educated Jew and former Pharisee.

So, true Christians must call upon the name of Almighty God to be saved. Jesus Christ is vital for our salvation, but it is calling on the name of Almighty God that saves.

Notice how the New World Translation makes this clear:

Joel 2:32 "And it must occur that everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will get away safe."

Romans 10:13 "For 'everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.'"

The name of Almighty God is JEHOVAH. The name of the son of God is JESUS. These two must never be confused in our understanding of the scriptures.

If you have to call upon the name of God to be saved, you have to use his name, not substitute the word God or Lord for his name.

Jesus said we should pray "Our father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name" (Matthew 6:9 King James version). He expected us to acknowledge his father's name in our prayers.

Jesus prayed (John 17:26) "I have made your name known to them and will make it known." If he publicised Jehovah God's name, SO SHOULD WE.

Compare the above with this:
http://www.catholicculture.org/news/features/index.cfm?recnum=60153