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Response
Hebrews 1:14 provides insight into the ministry of chosen angels to believers: “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” Angels are spiritual beings engaged in various tasks, and part of the chosen angel’s role is to serve, or minister to, believers in various ways.
The Greek term for “ministering” denotes being in service to others. As servants, angels are described as “serving” believers, which in the original Greek conveys the idea of someone waiting a table. The author of Hebrews portrays angels as ministers or servants to those who have placed their trust in Jesus for salvation, and the context of Hebrews 1 specifically contrasts the service of angels with the greater work of Jesus, as He surpasses angels (Hebrews 1:5-14).
As “ministering spirits,” angels assist believers in various ways. Sometimes, angels are dispatched by God to respond to prayers. An illustration of this is when Peter was imprisoned shortly after James’ execution (Acts 12). While Peter was in his cell chained between two guards, “the church was earnestly praying to God for him” (verse 5). “Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. ‘Quick, get up!’ he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists” (verse 7). The angel’s arrival to rescue Peter was a clear response to the church’s prayer. Just as in this case, God can utilize angels to answer our prayers, even if it is not visibly done.
Another way in which angels are ministering spirits is by occasionally being sent to uplift believers. In Scripture, angels provided encouragementand attended the Lord Jesus at least twice: after He was tempted in the desert for 40 days and 40 nights and in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 4:11; Luke 22:43). Paul was encouraged by an angel during a storm at sea (Acts 27:23-24).
Providing protection for believers is another service that angels do for the Lord. See Psalm 91:11. An army of angels surrounded Elisha in 2 Kings 6, protecting him from the Arameans. Daniel was protected in the lions’ den by an angel who “shut the mouths of the lions” «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). Many people believe in personal “guardian angels”; it could be that every believer has an angel assigned to him for protection, but there is nothing specifically stated in the Bible about personal guardian angels.
Despite the ministries that angels carry out for believers, it is important to remember that the Lord of hosts is our Savior, and He is the one who ultimately sends them. Angels do not act on their own accord, nor are they omniscient or omnipresent «Let them praise the name of the LORD: For he commanded, and they were created. », (Psalm 148:5). The holy angels do God’s bidding. It is God alone who deserves the praise and glory for the answered prayers, encouragement, protection, and service that angels carry out for believers.
We are grateful for the “ministering spirits” that God has ordained, and we give God praise for His care for us. For all their power and glory, the elect angels know their role as servants of the Most High. Like the angelIn Revelation, it was emphatically said to John when the apostle tried to worship him, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!” «Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. », (Revelation 22:9).
