Salvation In the Name of YHWH

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Reviews

By Bentley Chan

I am pleased to commend to all readers the present work by Pastor Rosablanca Suen, “Salvation in the Name of YHWH”. I am impressed with the title she has chosen for the book, for it immediately places our focus on the name YHWH. This is most appropriate not only because Joel 2:32 itself speaks of the name YHWH, but also because it sets right the dependence of Jesus’ name upon Yahweh’s.

Rosa deftly — and with moderation — navigates the multiple layers in Joel, whose pronounce­ments touch on several eras of salvation his­tory, including Joel’s own histori­cal set­ting, but also the New Testament age and even the eschato­logical future. For example, Joel speaks of Judah and Jerusalem in the context of his own historical milieu, yet also in the language of eschato­logical fulfill­ment (“Judah shall be inhabited forever, and Jerusalem to all generat­ions,” Joel 3:20).

Finally and most vitally, Rosa’s overarching purpose for her book is that people may be inspired to draw near to God by calling on His name. The book is an interweaving of biblical exposition and devot­ional writing that will guide the reader to God’s salvation in Jesus Christ.

To Rosa my friend and coworker over the decades, thank-you for writing this book, and may God use it to bless many to the glory of His great name, Yahweh.

Pastor Bentley Chan, Author of Theological Metamorphosis



By Lucy Chan

This thin book “Salvation in the Name of YHWH” in fact comes from Chapter 17 of a longer book “Our Road to the One True God” written also by Pastor Rosa Suen which is a very effective way to introduce to the readers to a more detailed study on the One True God that is coming soon. Since I have read both books, I think this thin book is very readable and is much easier for the readers to absorb than the longer book. It is very effective to outreach to both Christians of other denominations and also non-Christians because the content is wrapped up in a nutshell clearly defining the important subject of salvation and its process of being saved, namely who saves us and how we can be saved.  Rosa demonstrates with exegetical precision based on word studies from baptism, i.e. regeneration to renewal by the Spirit of God of the whole Christian life. To understand “calling on God” is vitally important for Christians and as to who is this God whom we call upon is equally vital for all Christians and non-Christians. 

I can only say praise to God for laying in Rosa’s heart and guiding her to write this thin book. Pray that this labour of hard work for the Lord in these past 9 months will reap abundant spiritual harvest so that more people can receive a clear instruction as to how to call on the name of God and so shall be saved. Thank you for Rosa’s persistence and steadfastness in serving Yahweh our God, the Rock of our salvation in literature work.

Pastor Lucy Chan, Liverpool, England

By Sue Wu

“My dear sister, I really thank the Lord for your labour and your love of the truth and also your sharings of your learning in the process of getting to know Yahweh our God and Christ, the annointed one. The book is really helpful to me for it reminds me to be a faithful child of God , and that a servant of God should indeed work hard. Thank you, sis. for your example. The graphs, the tables and the statistics of the words occurrences in the chapters are useful for those who really want to know and to learn the theme of the books or the chapters.  I do recommend for those who really want to learn the truth of the Bible to have a copy of the book.  Also, it is good teaching material about finding the theme of each chapter or a book in the Bible.   As these chaotic seasons are around us, there is the urgency to really know our true God and to learn from the obedience and love of Jesus, so that we can participate in spreading the Gospel in these last days. Good work, sis. May Yahweh continue bless you and Pastor Raymond in the ministry.” 

Pastor Sue Wu, Melbourne, Australia

By James Ho

“Rosa, I have read through your new work. You must have spent lots of time in gathering all the materials to produce the book. It is clearly presented and for those who are open-minded, it will inspire them to deepen their relationship with Yahweh and treasure His Holy Name. Thank you deeply for your labor of love.”

Pastor James Ho, Author of  An Eagle’s View of the New Testament and  I Am the Work of Your Hand.



By Greg Deuble

A BOOK REVIEW OF SALVATION IN THE NAME OF YHWH
An Exposition of Joel 2:32, Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13 By Rosablanca Suen

When Rosa emailed me to ask if I would write a review for her book, Salvation in the Name of YHWH, I have to be honest and say that, at first, I was hesitant.

Firstly, I do not know Rosa. I had never heard of her, or her husband Raymond, or of their devotion to the people of Hong Kong in a ministry spanning a number of decades, until her request popped up in my inbox.

Secondly, the request came at a particularly demanding time in my own schedule. I felt that if I took this task on, I would be needing lots of extra time — and energy!

However, I am so thankful to Rosa for contacting me, for I had hardly entered the first pages of her book when I began to find my heart “strangely warmed”. I found my spirit witnessing with her spirit. I found myself coming alive inside. I found myself shouting, “Amen!” Here was a kindred spirit and one whose heart has been mightily touched by the Spirit of God and by the truth of our salvation from Yahweh God in His Son, our risen Lord Jesus Christ. Her passion and love for the one true God of the Bible (whose personal name is Yahweh), and for his people, and for the “lost” He is lovingly calling to Himself, I found irresistible. And it’s all laid out in an easily readable style.

But someone may ask, “Why another book about God and salvation? There are already a plethora of them! What will I get from reading Salvation in the Name of YHWH that I won’t get in most other books purporting to present the same theme?”

My unhesitating answer is that you will get a vital message that most others do not layout: If we would be saved and know the power and hope of the living God in our lives, then we must learn to call out to Him with an audible and daily cry from our hearts. Rosa unpacks this essential Biblical teaching for the reader pithily and practically, spanning both Old and New Testaments. As she writes, ‘The text doesn’t say, “call on God’ ”. We are to learn to love and to trust in the personal Name of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ — Yahweh — by articulating it audibly, but not as some magical repetitious incantation, but as a real cry from our hearts to the personal God who delights in the prayers of His people.

In this little book you will see how to revitalise a flagging prayer and devotional life, which is something many Christians struggle with in today’s challenging environment. Rosa makes it personal as she shares from her own ups and downs over many long years. Her practical help is undergirded by a scholarly backbone, being firmly grounded in the context and grammar of the Scriptures.

I thoroughly recommend Salvation in the Name of YHWH to every thirsty soul who wants a more dynamic walk with the Living God of the Bible.. I am thankful to Rosa for asking me to read her book. And above all, I stand in awe of our Yahweh God, our heavenly Father, for leading her to email me with her request!


With heartfelt thanks and prayers that others will be mightily touched as I have been!

Pastor Greg S. Deuble, Author of They Never Told Me This in Church! How To Read the Bible With New Eyes and The Bible Jesus.


By Anthony Buzzard

“Rosa, I have read your book with much interest and there is so much good and detailed info on Joel. You have some wonderful detail and thank you so much for writing it.”  

Sir Anthony Buzzard, Author of The One God, the Father, One Man Messiah Translation, New Testament with Commentary and The Focus of the Kingdom

By Kenneth LaPrade

A BOOK REVIEW by Kenneth LaPrade: Salvation in the Name of  YHWH (An Exposition of Joel 2:32, Acts 2:21, and Romans 10:13) by Rosablanca Suen

I would like to heartily endorse this wonderful, enlightening work of Biblical scholarship about a topic so relevant to monotheistic studies regarding the identity and faithful activity of YHWH (Yahweh), the one true God and his unique Son, the lord Jesus the Messiah (the Anointed One.)

“And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of YHWH shall be saved.” (Joel 2:32)

This key truth from the book of Joel (within its vital setting) is later quoted in Peter’s Pentecostal thesis in Acts, chapter 2, and also in Paul’s dynamic salvation message for Jews and Gentiles in Romans, chapters 9-11. All three contexts are systematically developed in this eye-opening book which offers a special, logical approach to word study priorities.

On top of the valuable points made here concerning accurate Biblical integrity, personal “fruit” from the writer shines brightly throughout her well-researched theme; the author (Rosablanca Suen) is someone who has practiced continually “calling on the name of YHWH” and, also, “calling on the name of the lord Jesus” for decades! She displays very lucidly how these two aspects (calling on Yahweh and calling on Jesus) are perfectly harmonious. Heart and lifestyle are integral, rather than superficial formulaic approaches. She is extremely thankful for precise Biblical training and an emerging awareness of Biblical monotheistic truth learned directly from Eric H.H. Chang (the author of the detailed masterpieces: The Only True God: A Study of Biblical Monotheism and The Only Perfect Man: The Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ.) She is also quite thankful for others who have lovingly helped her in her faith journey.

The clear dominance of the word YHWH in the book of Joel is beautifully highlighted within the context of all 16 significant terms used in Joel. The importance of God’s personal name is appropriately emphasized; God was never a vague, general reality for devout, ancient Israelites! Also, key phrases about YHWH are carefully explained: “the day of YHWH”, “YHWH your God”, “the house of YHWH”, “O YHWH”, and “the ministers of YHWH.” Despite upcoming judgments to come on “the day of YHWH”, salvation is offered to those (like Joel himself) who faithfully call on the name of YHWH. Whether in prayer or in proclaiming God’s unique virtues, calling audibly on His name from the heart is a reality heard and answered by Yahweh! By the way, the name “Joel” means “Yahweh is God.” He – Yahweh – must be known personally!

Practical reminders (with several citations from Psalms and other Scriptures) are given to help us not to be distracted from calling on His name and seeking His face (or His presence) in intimate prayers. Heartfelt intercession for others is shown to be vital. The depth of repentance from a contrite heart is also key. Such dynamic themes in the book of Joel are totally applicable to us nowadays, as we truly know that the future day of YHWH is approaching! Blessings from the one true God, both physically and spiritually, are present upon those who call on the name of YHWH from the heart!

The book then moves into the quoting of Joel 2:32 in Acts 2:21 within the context of Peter’s Pentecostal message (Acts 2:14-40) and the wider context of the entire book of Acts. Just as Joel is a Yahweh-centered book, Acts is a God-centered book – in which theos (God) refers to the same YHWH who permeates Old Testament records. In 29 prominent words used in Acts such an emphasis is quite clear. Also, 23 significant words in the Pentecostal message (2:14-40) are given, showing a keen emphasis on God Himself, Jesus’ being chosen (as a man), his death, his resurrection, and his bold exaltation – as lord and Christ. It is very important how relevant prophecies by David and Joel are fulfilled. Also, God’s spirit being poured out freely in an unlimited way is very significant, so that presently, greater numbers of people (with genuine spiritual insights) can continually speak God’s Kingdom truths in powerful ways!

God’s perfectly planned salvation agenda through Jesus, the Anointed Messiah and lord (kyrios) is wonderfully elucidated in the book’s meticulous study of this Pentecostal sermon, the rest of the book of Acts, and several other New Testament Scriptures. It is illustrated clearly that Jesus’ exaltation to God’s right hand (as in Psalm 110:1) is totally compatible with consistent, Biblical monotheism. This chapter about the meaningful event on Pentecost further describes and summarizes detailed insights about authentic change (or repentance), baptism as united with Christ, the essential reception of holy spirit, what spiritual thinking and living truly looks like, calling on the name of YHWH, calling on Jesus as lord, the future day of the Lord, present and future Kingdom of God realities, and “being saved from this crooked generation.”

The remaining chapter focuses on the citation of Joel 2:32 in Romans 10:13 within the context of Romans 9-11, a section concerning the salvation of Israel (and also of Gentiles.) Key terms in this section (22 of them) are carefully considered. The dilemma of Israel’s widespread rejection of the Messiah is addressed. The distinction between ethnic Israel and the remnant of spiritual Israel is thoughtfully discussed. The merciful inclusion of Gentiles is logically explained. Statements about the stumbling stone are carefully analyzed. Chapter ten’s significant words and salvation themes (along with confession and believing) are beautifully described. God’s overall fairness to both Jews and Gentiles is very evident. There is then a major thesis comparing Joel 2:32 in the Septuagint (Greek) to Paul’s quoting of it in Romans 10:13. The compatibility of using this quote to call directly on YHWH or to call on Jesus (as kyrios – lord), as God’s unique representative, is clarified in great depth.

The epilogue of the book, “from a pastor’s heart”, summarizes the above observations with a diagram illustrating YHWH’s willingness and ability to save those who honestly call on Him. His plan of salvation through Jesus is then expounded, highlighting his role as an exalted man now seated at the right hand of God. We currently await the hope of his return with great joy – when all things will be subjected to God.

Three useful appendices give careful sentence block diagrams of Joel 2:28-32, Acts 2, and Romans 9-11.

Pastor Kenneth LaPrade, Pastor in home fellowship churches at El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico and testimony.