Lord’s Library compares the Gospel of Jesus Christ vs. the name it and claim it movement to showcase Christ’s Finished Work of salvation.
The “name it and claim it” teaching encourages believers to boldly declare God’s promises and expect their fulfillment—especially in areas like health, wealth, and personal success. It can sound empowering, even inspiring, to be reminded of God’s goodness and generosity through fleshly blessings. But as with any teaching, it’s worth asking: What does Scripture actually say about our words, our desires, and the nature of God’s provision?
Looking closely at these themes through the Bible’s lens reveals how faith and prayer work together within God’s perfect plan. This contrasts the true Gospel of grace with an imitation, revealing how only the Finished Work of Christ saves—and how every other message, no matter how appealing, ultimately leads away from the Cross.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ vs. the Name it and Claim it Movement
The Gospel of Jesus Christ
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus as the Messiah, Savior, and Son of God. It encompasses His life, teachings, crucifixion, death, and resurrection, offering the promise of forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and reconciliation with God to all who believe. See the following key Bible verses, which paint a vivid picture of the Gospel of Jesus Christ:
- John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
This verse is perhaps the most well-known passage in the Bible, succinctly summarizing the essence of the Gospel. It showcases God’s love, the sacrifice of Jesus, and the condition of faith leading to eternal life.
- Mark 1:14-15: “Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”
Christ begins His ministry by announcing the arrival of the Kingdom of God and calling for repentance and faith in the Gospel.
- 1 Corinthians 15:1-4: “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
Paul’s letter to the Corinthians emphasizes the core elements of the Gospel: Christ’s death for our sins, His burial, and His resurrection, all in accordance with the Scriptures.
- Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
Here, Paul underscores the transformative power of the Gospel and its universal applicability, offering salvation to all who believe.
- Acts 4:12: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
This verse emphasizes the exclusivity of salvation through Jesus Christ, emphasizing the necessity of faith in His name for eternal life.
The Name it and Claim it Movement
Often intertwined with the broader word of faith movement, name it and claim it promotes a concept that believers can “claim” prosperity, health, or personal success simply by speaking it into existence. This false theology asserts that verbal declarations can directly influence one’s reality, an idea that, while seemingly empowering, is flawed when examined against the backdrop of core Biblical teachings like salvation by grace through faith.
Central to this movement is the use of passages similar to Mark 11:24, where Jesus says: “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”
Proponents of “name It and claim it” interpret this to mean that any desire can be manifested through what they see as faith-filled declarations. However, this interpretation is a gross simplification and takes the verse out of its broader context in Scripture, which shows the alignment of our will with God’s Will, as Jesus foretells in the Lord’s Prayer. See Matthew 6:10: “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”
The name-it-and-claimers also frequently misapply passages like Proverbs 18:21: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” They use it to suggest that they can control life outcomes through their words alone. This selective reading ignores the Scripture on humility, reliance on God’s grace, and the sovereignty of God over all aspects of life.
James 4:13-15 offers a clear counterpoint: “Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.”
This verse from James reminds us of the folly in boasting about tomorrow without acknowledging that life itself is subject to God’s Will.
We hope it is clear how the “name it and claim it” movement acts as a misunderstanding of the power of speech and faith. It misrepresents the Scriptures on God’s sovereignty, the nature of prayer, and the doctrine of salvation. The Christian acknowledges that while prayer changes things, it is ultimately God’s Will that prevails, and our faith should be placed not in the power of our words but in the grace and sovereignty of God who works all things for good for those who love Him, amen. We leave you with Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Lord's Library is a Christian resource hub. Our editors use a variety of internet research methods like search engines, audio and video, AI, consultations with ministry leaders in the field, and more. Lord's Library should never be a substitute for reading your Bible daily as the Scriptures are to be our final authority on all matters. Lord's Library participates in affiliate programs. We may make a small commission from products purchased through this resource.
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