Do Christians have the authority to comm and angels?
Do Christians have the authority to comm and angels?
Answer
People are fascinated by the concept and study of angels, formally called “ angelology.” Depictions of angels are found everywhere—in jewelry, digital art, wall hangings, movies, and of course Christmas decorations. Just as ubiquitous are the misconceptions about angels. Some Christians, for example, believe they have the authority to comm and angels to do their bidding. Others believe their authority extends even to the demons.
There are no instances in Scripture where humans were able to give angels commands, either in their own name or in Jesus’ name. There are no passages in which man has control over the work that angels do. On the contrary, Scripture teaches that mankind was created “a little lower than the angels” (Psalm 8:5, NKJV; cf. Hebrews 2:7–9). Angels outrank us.
The teaching that believers have control over angels is false. Scripture teaches that angels listen to and obey God: “Praise theLord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word” (Psalm 103:20). The following biblical examples help show that angels are not subject to the commands of men:
Moses reminded the children of Israel of the time when “we cried out to theLord, [and] he heard our cry and sent an angel and brought us out of Egypt” (Numbers 20:16). The Israelites did not comm and an angel to come to them. They appealed to God, under whose comm and the angels function.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down to Nebuchadnezzar’s image (Daniel 3:17–18). God in His mercy “sent his angel and rescued his servants!” (Daniel 3:28). The three godly Hebrews did not summon the angel of the Lord. God sent him. God later “sent his angel” to deliver Daniel from the lions (Daniel 6:22). No one but God is commanding the angels to do anything.
The church in Jerusalem prayed for Peter when he was in prison (Acts 12:5). When Peter was delivered, he testified, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches” (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 perform the rescue.
It’s true that Paul, in Acts 16:18, commands an evil spirit to come out of a girl “in the name of Jesus Christ,” and the demon obeys. This is an example of apostolic authority. The Twelve had been specifically commissioned by Jesus to carry His message and demonstrate His power (see Acts 3:6–8). The apostles’ casting out demons has no bearing on believers today ordering angels around. Jesus calls the holy angels “angels of God” in Luke 12:8. God is the owner of the angels; they belong to Him. Angels do God’s bidding, not ours.