“Shazam!” Gomer Pyle would shout when something astonished him. This was the first time I remember hearing the odd-sounding word.
It is said that the Oxford dictionary describes “shazam” to be an expression that is used to announce an amazing act or story, or transformation that can happen in a flash. Some times ago, I was able to learn the history behind the word “Shazam,” from a minister, Tim Trent, that I heard address the members of a community group. I’ve always remembered his image since and have frequently met him with the words “Shazam,” instead of greeting him with hello.
It is believed that the word”Shazam” first came into existence in the 1940s in comic books, when the characters like Billy Batson would say, “Shazam,” to transform himself into the superhero Captain Marvel, who battled the evil forces. The letters of the word are symbolic of Wisdom of Solomon and the power of Hercules and the endurance of Atlas and the strength of Zeus and the strength of Achilles as well as the speed and agility of Mercury. The list contains a real person from Bible along with five fictional heroes.
As Rev. Trent stated to the congregation the moment Billy Batson spoke the word Shazam, Billy Batson spoke with the collective power of all the names.
The Dr. Adrian Rogers once preached, “All authority comes down from a higher authority. The authority comes from above. We say we are under” an authority figure.” He added, “When a policeman knocks and asks, ‘Open’ under the authority of Law,’ the we are obliged to open. Why? He is the authority.”
The author R. C. Sproul states, “The word authority itself has in it the word “author. An author is a person who has created and owns the work of a specific author. In the sense that God is the basis of any authority, He is this foundation because He is the creator and owner of all His works. He is the basis on the which all authority rests or can fall.”
The final phrases Jesus gave His followers on earth prior to when He was able to ascend into the heavens are “All power has been delegated to Me both in heaven and on earth. Be therefore and make disciples of all countries” (Matthew 28:18).
Paul wrote that the apostle Paul stated that God greatly elevated His Son Jesus, Jesus, giving “Him the name that is higher than any other name. “that at the mention Jesus Christ, Jesus each knee must be bowed, of heaven’s inhabitants, of the earthly and those beneath the earth and that each tongue should declare Jesus Christ as Lord. Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).
Christians must face temptations that originate from the evil one, the soul-destroying enemy. However, in Jesus the name of Jesus we are able to conquer him. Doctor. Adrian Rogers put it in this way “Authority is different from power. The office is where authority comes from. The power is in the person. Football players, large and powerful, possess strength. The only person on the field of football without pads and a uniform and armed with only an earpiece, he the tiniest of players is the man with the power. He is able to stop a game or even send players into the dressing room. Jesus declares that we’re the ‘little guy.”I grant you power over the forces that the adversaries have. Our strength is derived from His authority. It’s about time to tell the enemy to go on a walk.”
HTML0 — Jan White has compiled a collection of her columnists in her book “Everyday faith for Daily Life.”
The article The authority of Christ’s name Jesus was first published at The Andalusia Star-News.
