The Ministry of Angels to The Ministry of Angels to ChristiansChristians

ReviewReview

In our study of angels we have seenIn our study of angels we have seen– They are servants of GodThey are servants of God– Deliver messages from God (verbal)Deliver messages from God (verbal)– Deliver “messages” by deedDeliver “messages” by deed

Punishment to evil menPunishment to evil men Help to righteous menHelp to righteous men

– Ministered to Christ by proclamations and Ministered to Christ by proclamations and supportsupport

IntroductionIntroduction

Christians wonder . . .Christians wonder . . .– Do angels still serve today?Do angels still serve today?– If so, in what way(s)?If so, in what way(s)?– After all . . .After all . . .

Titus 3:7Titus 3:7– We are heirs of salvationWe are heirs of salvation

Heb 1:14Heb 1:14– Angels minister to those who will inherit Angels minister to those who will inherit

salvationsalvation

Angels and 1Angels and 1stst Century Christians Century Christians

Acts 5:17-20Acts 5:17-20– Delivered the 12 from jailDelivered the 12 from jail

Acts 8:26-28 – sent Philip to the eunuchActs 8:26-28 – sent Philip to the eunuch Acts 10:1-8 – sent to tell Cornelius how to Acts 10:1-8 – sent to tell Cornelius how to

find out how to be savedfind out how to be saved Acts 12:7-11Acts 12:7-11

– Delivered Peter, but not JamesDelivered Peter, but not James

Angels and 1Angels and 1stst Century Christians Century Christians

Acts 12:21-23Acts 12:21-23– Struck down Herod for his sinStruck down Herod for his sin

Acts 27:21-24Acts 27:21-24– Delivered message of encouragement for Delivered message of encouragement for

PaulPaul– Delivered prophecy of events for allDelivered prophecy of events for all

Rev 1:1Rev 1:1– Delivered prophecy of future events for the Delivered prophecy of future events for the

churchchurch

Angels and 1Angels and 1stst Century Christians Century Christians

So angels continued toSo angels continued to– Bring verbal messages from GodBring verbal messages from God– Act on behalf of righteous individualsAct on behalf of righteous individuals– Acts against wicked individualsActs against wicked individuals

But what about in teachings? Does the NT But what about in teachings? Does the NT teach anything regarding the continued teach anything regarding the continued action of angels?action of angels?

Guardian AngelsGuardian Angels

Who hasn’t heard of this concept?Who hasn’t heard of this concept?– Are their special angels for each person? Are their special angels for each person?

Or special angels for each Christian? Or special angels for each Christian? Or a special angel for each person on earth?Or a special angel for each person on earth?

Matthew 18:10Matthew 18:10– What did Jesus mean?What did Jesus mean?

Here is a sampling of ideas from Here is a sampling of ideas from commentatorscommentators

Guardian AngelsGuardian Angels Each child has a guardian angelEach child has a guardian angel

– McGarvey and BW JohnsonMcGarvey and BW Johnson Each individual has a guardian angelEach individual has a guardian angel

– Adam ClarkeAdam Clarke Each righteous individual has a guardian angelEach righteous individual has a guardian angel

– Jameson, Fausset & BrownJameson, Fausset & Brown– {Also view held by early Jewish teachers}{Also view held by early Jewish teachers}

Angels in general guard the righteous in Angels in general guard the righteous in generalgeneral– Alfred Barnes, AT RobertsonAlfred Barnes, AT Robertson

Other teachingsOther teachings Lk 15:10 – care about salvation of humansLk 15:10 – care about salvation of humans Lk 16:22 – companions for the journey homeLk 16:22 – companions for the journey home Heb 13:2 – implies a possibility of entertaining Heb 13:2 – implies a possibility of entertaining

angels unawareangels unaware– So angels could still be active in serving God’s So angels could still be active in serving God’s

willwill– But will no longer do so openlyBut will no longer do so openly– 2 Cor 11:14 – Satan will openly use that guise2 Cor 11:14 – Satan will openly use that guise

Gal 1:8 – No longer bringing verbal messagesGal 1:8 – No longer bringing verbal messages Revelation 7-11 – Active in the punishment of Revelation 7-11 – Active in the punishment of

the evilthe evil

ConclusionConclusion Angels have served God’s people byAngels have served God’s people by

– Delivering verbal messagesDelivering verbal messages– Helping the righteousHelping the righteous– Carrying out punishment on the wickedCarrying out punishment on the wicked

Angels no longer bring verbal messagesAngels no longer bring verbal messages– Because the message is revealed perfectlyBecause the message is revealed perfectly

Angels no longer manifest as angelsAngels no longer manifest as angels– But are still actively serving those who will But are still actively serving those who will

inherit salvation (Heb 1:14)inherit salvation (Heb 1:14) (2 Kgs 6:15-17) normally unseen by all (2 Kgs 6:15-17) normally unseen by all

Just because we don’t see them, doesn’t mean Just because we don’t see them, doesn’t mean they aren’t there. It’s part of faith (Heb 11:1)they aren’t there. It’s part of faith (Heb 11:1)