Do Christians have the authority to command angels?

Answer

People today are intrigued by the concept and study of angels, known as “angelology.” Angels are featured in various forms, from jewelry and Christmas decorations to films and television shows. Some Christians believe they can instruct angels to carry out their requests, while others think they can command angels (and even demons) in the name of Jesus.

There are no instances in Scripture where humans were able to issue commands to angels, whether in their own name or in Jesus’ name. There are no passages indicating that humans have authority over the actions of angels. It is understood that angels hold a higher rank, as Jesus had to humble Himself to be “lower than the angels” in order to be born and experience suffering as a human (Hebrews 2:7-9;Psalm 8:4-5).

The belief that believers can control angels is incorrect. The following biblical principles demonstrate that angels do not follow the commands of humans:

• Moses recounted how the Israelites “cried out to the LORD, and He heard our cry, and sent an angel who brought us out of Egypt” «and when we cried unto the LORD, he heard our voice, and sent an angel, and hath brought us forth out of Egypt: and, behold, we are in Kadesh, a city in the uttermost of thy border: », (Numbers 20:16). The Israelites did not command an angel to come to their aid. Instead, they appealed to God, who directs the actions of angels.

• Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down to Nebuchadnezzar’s image (Daniel 3:17-18). In His mercy, God “sent His angel and rescued His servants!” « Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent His angel, and delivered His servants. »

That trusted in Him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.” (Daniel 3:28). The three Hebrews did not summon the angel of the Lord. God sent him. God later “sent His angel” to deliver Daniel from the mouths of the lions in their den “My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before Him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.” (Daniel 6:22).

The church in Jerusalem prayed for Peter when he was in prison “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.” (Acts 12:5). When Peter was delivered, he testified, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent His angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating” “And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent His angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.” (Acts 12:11). The Christians praying for Peter were so surprised when he came to their door that they almost did not let him in. Certainly, they had not commanded any angel to rescue him.

Angels are called God’s “holy angels,” who do His bidding, not ours (Mark 8:38; Revelation 14:10).