RESOURCES — SHORT ARTICLES

 

SHORT ARTICLES BY TOM ELSEROAD
	2020-04-29	Angels as Ministering Spirits
		Angels As Ministering Spirits “Angel” is a word that means messenger. They are supernatural beings higher in power than man. Angels should not be worshiped because they are not divine. They are God's servants, just as we are. Angels are created spirits; they have no bodies, though they can assume human forms when ministering on earth. 1. One very important task God has given to angels is to minister to believers (He.1:14). Heb 1:14  Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?  This gives us insight as to an important role they play toward believers. In the midst of spiritual warfare, God's messengers, His angels, are involved and available to believers as God directs. 2. Another role angels are involved with toward believers is answered prayer. Act 12:7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, "Arise quickly!" And his chains fell off his hands. This is actually the second time an angel helped Peter escape (Ac.5:17-20). Here the angel woke up Peter, told him to get dressed, while God caused the chains to fall off, and kept the guards asleep. And of course God opened the iron gate. Peter thought the whole thing was a dream. There is good reason to believe when we pray God may use angels to answer prayer. Of course, prayer must be according to God's will. 3. God used an angel to give encouragement to Paul (Ac.27:13-44). Act 27:23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, Act 27:24 saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.' This angel gave Paul the knowledge that they would all live through the ship wreck. And that he would be brought before Caesar. This gave Paul confidence going into the ship wreck situation. For believers today, God uses His Word to bring encouragement. We do not look for an angel to bring a message to us, we have the completed Word of God. 4. God uses angels as guardians for security in life (guardian angels). Mat 18:10 "Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. Jesus reminds the hearers of the importance of children. It appears God has entrusted the care of little children to a group of angels (“their angels”). Psa 91:11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. The psalmist explained that no harm or disaster can befall those who have made the Lord their refuge. God has commissioned them to care for us. Angels protect from physical harm and give believers strength to overcome difficulties. Jesus quoted this Psalm when Satan tempted Him. Satan perverted this verse which shows that even God's most marvelous promises can be foolishly applied. Summary Thought. Heb 13:2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. There were those in the OT who “entertained angels unawares”. For example, Abraham, Jacob (wrestled with God), and Joshua. He was the Angel of the Lord. The thought here is that we are to extend love to strangers by showing hospitality to them. We should extend our love to them, and in doing this we might meet some very wonderful people. Pastor Tom Elseroad

 

An Evangelical Free Church of America

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