Jesus Christ is the “Most High God”
Forum at Philippi
One of my favorite Bible study resources is my copy of Zondervan’s New International Version Study Bible. It absolutely is loaded with insights into the Scriptures, as well as interesting cultural and historical notes that shed light on life in Bible times. If you don’t have a copy, you need to get one yesterday.
Oh, and they do have a King James Version Study Bible, for all of you who believe that the letters “N-I-V” stand for “Non-Inspired Version.”
Lately I’ve been using my NIV Study Bible to help me tear apart (metaphorically speaking, anyway) Paul’s letter to the Philippian church. One of the overriding themes of Philippians is joy, and since I could use a little of that right now, I figured it would be a good book to study.
The Apostle Paul and his team of first century metro missionaries, including Timothy, Silas and Luke (the ministry equivalent of the 1927 Yankees), planted the church in Philippi during what is referred to as Paul’s “Second Missionary Journey.” The roots of the Philippian church are found in Acts 16.
Not long after their arrival in Philippi, Paul and his friends were headed towards the banks of the Gangites River for a prayer meeting with believers from the city. On the way, they picked up an unwelcome guest – a demon-possessed slave girl who brought her owners money by fortune telling (Acts 16:16). She followed Paul and his companions, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved (vs. 17).”
The notes on verse 17 in Zondervan’s NIV Study Bible say the title “Most High God” was not used by New Testament Christians in referring to Jesus Christ. Rather, the word “God” in this passage is derived from a generic title that was used by heathens when referring to their deities.
I believe (this is “Jonathan Mohr theology,” so take it for what it’s worth) that the demonic spirit animating this slave girl wanted to discredit the message of the cross by creating a false association between the phony gods of fortune-telling and the God whom the apostles were declaring.
After many days of this nonsense, Paul finally got fed up with her disruptions and decided to introduce her to the real God.
“In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” he thundered.
And Luke reports, “At that moment the spirit left her.”
Anyone can toss around generic religious references and invoke the title “God.” Just listen to normal conversation at the average school or workplace: the title “God” gets used quite often, and usually there’s nothing sacred involved – quite the opposite in many cases, in fact.
But when a Spirit-filled believer utters the name “Jesus,” demons tremble. Slave girls are set free. Business-as-usual comes grinding to a halt. The powers-that-be take notice. And the seeds of a great church are planted.
Speak His name today – the name of Jesus. The highest name of all.
Similar Posts:
- Living in the shadow of the cross
- Holy Ghost outpouring at Shake ‘n Steak
- Preaching at Cornerstone Ministries
- Section 6 Youth Rally
michelle wardlow on February 24th, 2010
come on now!!!
Doug and I both had to have a NLT Study Bible from Walmart. They had the best study notes of all we have seen. I just got two different KeyWord study bibles. One is called a BlueLetter Bible, 25 bucks from the website, and the other is in black leather. The best study helps by far come from the NLT. It’s a Tyndale. Doug had been doing some reading about the origins of the 1611 KJV. That little dude went thru so many men’s hands that God HAD to have His hand in it. We got hold of a cope of the Book if Jasher, as well as an encyclopedia, of the works of Eusebius, Philo and Josephus. I can’t wait for summer when I can get to these works. The works of the Early church fathers hit Doug pretty hard too, polycarp, ignatius, etc. The book of Enoch was rather interesting. It didn’t come against anything biblical, but I don’t know where to file what he said in my mind.
I always wonder whether there were other books that God intended His kids to have, but maybe men didn’t want to get them out….I’m all about the conspiracy theoies, but I know God can do anything, so it’s not likely.
Things have been going well hee. God is large and in charge!