Angelic Activity: Acts 8:26
“26) But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, “Get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a desert road.)” Acts 8:26
We now have an unusual event. Rather than the Holy Spirit speaking to Philip, we have record of an angel of the Lord speaking to him. This is a great place for a short discussion about angels.
Angelic activity is seen throughout both the Old and New Testaments. There was a notable surge of angelic activity recorded in the four gospels and the book of Acts. The birth of Jesus Christ and His launch into ministry while fasting in the desert were two notable times of increased angelic activity.
Yet the Bible warns against seeking communications with angels. They are usually silent and unassuming ministers on behalf of God’s people. (Read Hebrews 1:14 and 13:2) They are not seen in the New Testament as teachers or a source for biblical revelation.
Paul warned about the possibility of deceiving angels with a false gospel message in Galatians 1:8. Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism should have followed the warning in this verse. Jesus Christ, the Bible and the Holy Spirit are the source of truth for believers.
In Colossians 2:18, Paul warned against the false practice of worshipping angels and taking a stand on false visions. The reason might be that Satan often translates himself into an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14). His workers are always deceptive and seek to lead people astray. The idea of a private “spirit guide” is rooted in the occult and not Christianity. This phenomenon is deceptive and of demonic origin.
By far, the book of Revelation records the most angelic activity. They are seen worshipping God in heaven and carrying out His wrath on Satan’s empire on earth. There is a cosmic battle in the unseen world between the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness. God’s angelic agents are very active in this present world.
The role of angels toward God’s people in the New Testament can be summarized as protection, supernatural deliverance, encouragement during times of exhaustion and occasional direction. They are usually unseen and unassuming agents from heaven. They are part of God’s team to carry out His purpose in this world. We are not alone in this warfare.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
