Understanding Angels
Mike Johnson
When you hear the word angel, what image comes to mind? Various visualizations may occur, but there is a good chance that paintings, drawings, modern-day television programs, and movies have influenced what we see. Some may think of a beautiful woman with long hair wearing a white robe who moves about with wings and has a gentle voice. Others may picture a fat, pink baby with a bow and arrows. Regardless of what some may think, both of these views are foreign to the Scriptures.
Nevertheless, angels are real! Jesus treats them that way (Lk. 12:8), mentioning them 18 times in the book of Matthew alone. He believed in their existence and did not merely accommodate Himself to current beliefs. The Bible elsewhere treats them as authentic. Referring to angels, Hebrews 1:14 (NKJV) says, “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?”
The Bible is our only reliable source of knowledge about angels, yet many questions about them go unanswered. Since this is true, some may not be interested in studying these celestial beings, but the Old and New Testaments say much about them, providing us with a significant amount to learn on this subject. However, it is essential to understand that mere conjectures and depictions are of little value; thus, this study will examine their origin, nature, work, and various misconceptions about angels from a biblical perspective.
Interest in Angels
If you believe in the existence of angels, you are not alone. In America, surveys typically show 70 to 80% of the population believes angels are real. Interestingly, however, some believe in God but do not believe in angels, and some surveys have even shown that a few even accept the existence of angels but not of God.
Today, the amount of available information about angels illustrates their popularity. For example, there are thousands of websites and online articles about them, as well as books and magazine articles found in stores. Television programs and movies featuring angels are common, as well. For instance, a popular show from the past, Touched by an Angel, ran for nine seasons, and it is still viewed by many today. Documentaries can also be viewed and purchased on some cable channels. Although these sources may not always depict accurate biblical teaching, they illustrate interest.
Angels likewise have a presence in today’s retail market. Many stores sell angel statues, jewelry, angel greeting cards, and stationery. But, again, these images are merely perceptions of how angels look. Songs have been written about literal angels, but writers often use the word metaphorically. Many reading this can probably think of various songs where the writer refers to someone being like an angel or where the word angel is even in the title.
Consider other uses of the word angel today. People use it as a term of endearment. A good and caring person is called a “real angel.” Infants are called “little angels,” and nurses are called “angels of mercy.” We also have the Los Angeles Angels, the Navy’s Blue Angels, and Hell’s Angels.
Such interest in angels cannot be a mass media product, but rather it seems the mass media capitalized on existing curiosities. The appeal may result from the desire people have to find meaning in their lives and to believe there is a force in existence beyond the physical world.
Why Study This Subject?
Many reading this may have read very few biblical articles and heard even fewer sermons on angels. Perhaps the teaching has increased among Christians recently, but this subject still seems neglected. Continue Reading
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The Conversion of Cornelius
Derek Long
In the book of Acts chapter 10, we read of the conversion of Cornelius and his household. Many important truths can be learned by examining the account of his conversion. Let’s examine some of these lessons:
- Being a good man is not enough to save someone. As we are introduced to Cornelius, we are given a description of his character. Acts 10:2 describes Cornelius as “a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.” If we ran into someone like Cornelius today, most people would assume he is saved. However, the angel tells Cornelius to send for Simon, who “will tell you what you must do” (Acts 10:6) or “who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved” (Acts 11:14). A good man like Cornelius still had things he needed to do in order to be saved.
- We must hear words in order to be saved. In the previous point, we observed Cornelius was to send for Peter to tell him, “words by which you and all your household will be saved” (Acts 11:14). The method by which people learn what is necessary to salvation is through hearing the preaching of the gospel message. In Romans 1:16, we learn the gospel is the power of God to salvation. In 1 Corinthians 1:21, we read how “it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.” People cannot call or believe on someone they have never heard about. Therefore, hearing is necessary to produce saving faith (Romans 10:14-17).
- God requires the same thing of all people. It appears from scripture Cornelius would be the first Gentile (non-Jew) to become a Christian. Peter was given a vision to help him understand all people are proper candidates to hear the gospel preached. In Acts 10:9- 16, three times Peter sees an object like a sheet full of all types of animals and is told to rise, kill, and eat. Peter refuses to do so, citing that he had never eaten anything common or unclean. Yet a voice says, “What God has cleansed you must not call common” (Acts 10:15). The vision shows clearly God had removed the food laws of the Old Testament, and hence all animals are to be considered clean today. Based upon that premise, a necessary conclusion is drawn by Peter that Gentiles are no longer to be called common or unclean either (Acts 10:28). As Peter speaks to Cornelius and his household, he declares, “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:34-35). Jews and Gentiles were now accountable to the same law and must meet the same requirements in order to be saved.
- We learn a lesson about the position of the teacher. When Peter comes in, Cornelius responds by falling down and worshipping Peter (Acts 10:25). Peter responds by lifting him up and saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man” (Acts 10:26). Peter was an apostle of Jesus Christ. Peter was specifically selected to preach to Cornelius and his household by God. Peter had lived and been with Jesus during His life upon the earth. Yet Peter did not accept the worship of someone like Cornelius. Teachers of the gospel need to recognize they are not in a position to receive worship from others. Teachers of the gospel are simply servants of God, and God should receive the glory for what they accomplish (1 Corinthians 3:5-7). Teachers who would exalt themselves and feel they should be worshipped by others are not acting like the apostles did.
- We learn about the necessity of water baptism. As was pointed out under the first point, Cornelius was what many today would consider a good man. As Peter is speaking, the Holy Spirit falls upon Cornelius and others, and they begin speaking with tongues (Acts 10:44-46). However, despite being what many would consider a good man and a man baptized with the Holy Spirit, he still was commanded to be baptized in water. Acts 10:47- 48 says, “‘Can anyone forbid water that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?’ And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.” The necessity of water baptism is not removed by being a good, moral person. The necessity of water baptism is not removed because one is baptized by the Holy Spirit. The reason one needs to be baptized in water is the same reason those on the Day of Pentecost were told to be baptized “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). Baptism in water is when one receives the remission of sins not before. (Related Article)
The Old Hickory Bulletin – 12-09-2018
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There’s Nothing Wrong with Emphasizing
Fear of Eternal Punishment
Dylan Stewart
For some reason, many believers take issue with Bible teachers emphasizing fear of eternal punishment as motivation for serving God. However, teaching others to obey God due to fear of punishment is the exact reason listed in 2 Corinthians 5:10-11a as to why Christians should be diligent in teaching others: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.” Now, of course, fear of God should not be the sole motivator for obeying Him. There are certainly other reasons God expects us to be motivated to obey Him. Consider just a few reasons that should motivate us to serve God in addition to fear of eternal punishment:
- We obey God because we have faith in Him – “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).
- We obey God because we love Him – “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him” (John 14:21).
- We obey God because He is so good to us – “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4).
- We obey God because Christ’s death drives us to do so – “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).
- We obey God because we want to go to Heaven – “For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works” (Matthew 16:27); “And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life” (Matthew 25:46).
These reasons are just a few among many motivations each person should have for obeying the Lord.
Albert Einstein once said, “If people are good only because they fear punishment, and hope for reward, then we are a sorry lot indeed.” If the only reason a person obeys the gospel or remains a Christian is due to fear of God’s wrath, that person definitely needs to examine their heart and realize God expects more from him than just fear as his sole motivation. However, as 2 Corinthians 5:10-11a teaches, there is certainly nothing wrong with Christians emphasizing and being motivated by fear of eternal punishment as one of the reasons for serving Him faithfully. (Related Article)
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The Kind of Preaching We Need
Greg Gwin
People may have various views about preachers and their work, but the Bible plainly states the kind of preaching that is needed in the world today. We need preaching that is:
- Bible-based. The Lord told Jonah to “preach the preaching I bid thee” (Jonah 3:2). Some preaching is pleasant to hear and it entertains people, but it leaves them sadly uninformed about what God really wants.
- Doctrinal: Paul urged Timothy to “take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (1 Timothy 4:16). Doctrine is distasteful to some folks, but it is essential to the saving of the soul.
- Direct & Personal: Preaching that doesn’t deal with the real problems and sins of people is of little value. We should not be unkind, but we need to “get to the point.” John the Baptist set a wonderful example and lost his head for doing so (Mark 6:18).
- Motivated by love: We won’t succeed in reaching people if they can’t see that we truly care about them. But when we “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15), we will be able to help people deal with the toughest problems.
- Full of Conviction: You have to have a deep faith in the message you proclaim. As Paul said, “I believed, and therefore did I speak” (2 Corinthians 4:13).
- Bold: Some men check to “see which way the wind is blowing” before they speak. Instead of this, we should speak “with all boldness” (Acts 4:29).
- Balanced: We need both positive and negative instruction. If we omit either one, we will not be effective in this important work. Paul told Timothy to “reprove, rebuke, exhort” (2 Timothy 4:2), and in doing so, he emphasized the need for both positive and negative teaching. (Related Article)
From Gospel Power
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Use of the Bible |
| Mike Johnson |
People use the Bible in many different ways. Sadly, some only use the Bible to record marriages, births, deaths, etc. Some people use it to swear on, sometimes calling for an entire stack. Others use it as an ornament for a living room table, thinking others will be impressed.
However, the Bible is the Word of God, and we should look upon it with much respect and use it for the purpose God intended. It is important to note that the Bible:
- can save our souls (James 1:21),
- is to be our guide ( Ps. 119:105),
- must be obeyed (Heb. 5:8-9),
- will judge us (Jn. 12:48).
How do you regard the Bible? Do you live by it? Do you learn from it? It is essential to view God’s Word correctly and use it for its intended purpose.
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Short Audio Bible Messages
Understanding Angels
Mike Johnson
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Editor: Mike Johnson
www.seekingthingsabove.org