It turns out in this country there is something called a common law name change. It causes the world much grief and trouble, but it is still a recognized procedure for changing one's name. The common law method of name change is simply this: A name comes to you. It comes from within you. You believe it comes from God. You act on it, use it, tell everybody your new name, and by its mere usage it becomes yours. A name is similar to property. As you use this name, it becomes your property. You do not have to go to any court. You do not have to beg permission from anyone to use this new name. It becomes yours because you use it.30 Mark 4:31-32 "It is like a mustard seed, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade."
The courts acknowledge you are the name you say you are. The only thing they require is that in taking your new name, you do not use it as a method of fraud or deceit. If you had established some responsibilities under the previous name, then you are not to change your name to avoid those responsibilities. In other words, meet your obligations. If you had "Yes's," make them "Yes," if you had "No's," make them "No."31 Matthew 5:37 "But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one."
The example of acquiring a new name shows the voice of God is within you, not within anybody else. "I am Paul Revere." A single voice told me that - a voice within me. God is within me and He declares that my name is Paul Revere. Now my wife could say, "No, your name is not Paul Revere." My children, the neighbors, my friends, even an entire community could say, "No, that is not your name." But they are not an authority on what my name is. It is out of their realm. It is out of their jurisdiction. I can be hauled to court, but the court cannot rule on whether my name is or is not Paul Revere. A jury of six people, even though they claim to be the voice of God, cannot declare what my name is. It is not theirs to hear. Yes, they are a jury and can render a decision, but not in this area. This one is off limits. A whole city, a whole county, a whole state, a whole nation can say whatever they want, but I'm still Paul Revere. They can't change it. It is unchangeable. The only thing they could do is convince me that my name is not Paul Revere and if I agreed, they would be victorious. But until that day, I am still Paul Revere.