There are angels among us
Hebrews 13:2 reminds us the New Testament Church that we are “not to forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.” Whereas there are many examples in the modern church of believers showing acts of kindness to strangers, it could be suggested in this current age, we are guilty of having forgotten about those supernatural beings that the writer of Hebrews describes as “ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation.” Those “who will inherit salvation” are those who are the children of God Most High.
Throughout the New Testament we see the importance of angels ministering on behalf of God and His church, typically either as messengers (which the word angel is derived from in both Hebrew [malak] and the Greek [angelos]), or as agents of supernatural action on behalf of the faithful. Throughout the birth of John the Baptist and the birth of Christ, God sent his angel Gabriel to speak to various peoples, whether directly (Luke 1:11-13) or in a dream (Matthew 1:20-21). We even see how an angel visited Philip the Evangelist and communicated instructions that led Philip to evangelize a person searching for Christ (Acts 8:26), and later to a man named Cornelius in a vision, to encourage him and to give him further instructions that led to his salvation (Acts 10:5). Indeed throughout the New Testament we see the importance of angelic messages to individual followers, and how those who were obedient to the instructions reaped the benefits.
In addition we see the importance of angels acting on behalf of the faithful in the New Testament. There is often talk about people having “guardian angels” and indeed in Matthew 18:10 Jesus said not to “despise [..] “little ones” [..] for in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.” Another implied reference to personal angels can be seen in Act 12:15, when after an angel showed up and set Peter free from prison, and he was knocking at the door of where the disciples met, they refused to accept that Peter was who he said he was, even suggesting that: “it must be his angel.” Again, throughout the New Testament we see angels showing up as agents of deliverance (Acts 5, Acts 12) and even as agents of divine judgment on King Herod (Acts 12:23).
The presence of angels in the daily operation of the New Testament Church gives us confidence that we can experience the ministry of angels in our Christian walk today. To deny the power of this supernatural ministry is to be guilty of “having a form of godliness, but denying its power” (2 Timothy 3:5). That being said, the old saying that for “every mile of road, exists two miles of ditch” also rings true. Though we as Christians believe in angels and in their ministry, we are instructed not to idolize or worship them, as indeed they are our “fellow servants” with us, “and with those who keep the words” of His Book” (Revelation 22). We are to worship God alone, but at the same time not ignore the ministry of angels that our God has set in place to help us walk in victory in our lives upon this earth. From Peter, to Paul, to Cornelius, we see that walking in faith and obedience to God’s Word, is the key to experiencing the angelic ministry in our life. For more information of angels, I encourage you to contact your local pastor. If you do not have one, feel free to email me at scottraible@gmail.com
Scott Raible is the founder of Christian Radio in Medicine Hat and is a pastor at the Medicine Hat Church of God.