Presentation of theology of angels by Todd Linn, PhD on what the Bible teaches about angels; the activity of angels and 8 characteristics in relation to believers

1. Bible Basics
A Study in Systematic Theology

2. Angelology 4
Today’s Lesson:
“The Ministry of
Angels”

3. Review
A masculine pronoun is used of them
(Mark 16:5-6)
When they appear, they generally take the
form of a man (Genesis 18:2,22; 19:1;
Daniel 10:18)
They caused mental and physical
weakness to the Roman guards who saw
the stone from Christ’s tomb being rolled
away (Matthew 28:4)

4. So angels didn’t look like this…

6. Or this…

8. Welcome to heaven . . .
Here’s your harp
Welcome to hell . . .
Here’s your accordion

9. “I do not know how to explain it; I cannot tell
how it is, but I believe angels have a great deal
to do with the business of this world.”
- Charles H. Spurgeon

10. The Activity of Angels
1. In Relation to God
2. In Relation to Christ
3. In Relation to Epochs
4. In Relation to Believers

11. The Activity of Angels
Eight (8) Characteristics
in Relation to Believers

12. 1. Revealing
1. God used angels to communicate His will
and word to men (Zechariah 4:1; 5:5; 6:5)
2. An angel predicted the birth of John the
Baptist (Luke 1:11-20)

13. 2. Guiding
1. An angel guided Joseph to take Mary as his
wife and the virgin-born Jesus as his own son
(Matthew 1:20-21)
2. Women who came to Jesus’ empty tomb were
guided by angels (Luke 24:4-7)
3. An angel guided Philip to the Ethiopian while
the Holy Spirit pointed to the exact person (Acts
8:29)
4. An angel directed Cornelius to send for Peter to
inform him of how to be saved (Acts 10:1-8,
11:13-14).

14. 3. Providing
1. They minister to man’s physical needs,
such as water to Hagar (Genesis
21:17-20)
2. An angel provided the worn-out Elijah a
“cake baked on coals and a cruse of
water” (1 Kings 19:5-7)

15. 4. Protecting
1. God sent His angel to shut the lions’
mouth while Daniel was in the lions’ den
(Daniel 6:20-23)
2. Three Hebrew youths were kept from
harm in the fiery furnace by an angel
(Daniel 3:24-28)
3. An angelic army protected Elisha and his
servant at Dothan (2 Kings 6:13-17)

16. 5. Delivering
1. An angel opened the doors of the prison
for the apostles (Acts 5:17-20)
2. Likewise for Peter, an angel caused his
chains to fall off and the prison doors
were opened (Acts 12:5-10)

17. 6. Strengthening and Encouraging
1. They strengthened Christ (Matthew 4:11;
Luke 22:43)
2. An angel encouraged the apostles to
continue preaching after they were freed
from prison (Acts 5:19-20)
3. Paul was encouraged by an angel who
predicted his safety at sea for his ministry
in Rome (Acts 27:25)

18. 7. Agents in Answering Prayer
1. Daniel’s prayer for Israel’s restoration
resulted in Gabriel’s swift flight to instruct
him of the future (Daniel 9:20-24)
2. An angel came to give Daniel strength
after he fasted and prayed for three
weeks (Daniel 10:10-12)
3. The early church prayed for Peter’s
freedom from prison and an angel was
sent to release him (Acts 12:1-17)

19. 8. Attendants upon the Righteous Dead
1. Jesus Christ spoke of angels carrying
Lazarus’ spirit to Abraham’s bosom upon
death (Luke 16:22)
2. Michael the archangel was disputing with
Satan over Moses’ body (Jude 9)

20. Bottom Line:
Angels Minister to God’s Children:
“Are they (angels) not all ministering spirits
sent forth to minister for those who will
inherit salvation?”
(Hebrews 1:14)

21. Next Lesson:
• What about the possibility of angelic
revelations today? Can I expect God to
reveal His will or word to me through an
angel this week?