FAQ 264
What is a Firstborn Name?
NCW 61, April-May 1999
Q. What is a “firstborn name”? Does this have anything to the secret names given by Mormons in their temples? Are these the same names that appear in the Olive Branch? What language are they in?
Yah'shua haMashiach (Jesus Christ) is called the “Firstborn” so in its simplest meaning it is a “Christian name”. However, in the New Covenant Church of God, it is also a prophetic statement given by revelation of the person’s past, present or future spiritual course - or a mixture of all of these. All those who receive Priesthood Orders receive such a name and indeed may receive several during their spiritual walk. The names are usually given by the Presiding Patriarch or an apostle. It is by this name that they are known in the House of the Lord.
There is no relationship whatsoever to the name-giving that Mormons practice in their temples. Mormon names are required for their occult rituals and are not given by inspiration. All Mormons going into their temple receive the same name on a particular day (one for men and another for women) that is taken from the Mormon scriptures.
Almost all New Covenant firstborn names are of Hebrew origin and have multiple meanings depending on the choices that a candidate makes in his or her spiritual walk. The names are indicative of the personality of the bearer and/or his spiritual calling.
Most of the names in the Olive Branch are pseudonyms (though not all) and are substituted for real names in order to protect confidentiality.
Firstborn names are often used in place of given names in Firstborn Communities and always in the Temple. These do not replace the worldly names given us by our parents but are given as extra “spiritual” names within the Church. We strongly discourage the changing of given names by deedpoll as Firstborn names are not usually used in public.
This page was created on 14 September 1998
Last updated on 14 September 1998
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