Introduction
There are two diverse types of ministries present onthe earth today: the ministry of angels and the ministry of believers.
The subject of angels is one about which little is said. The Bible, however, is not silent concerning them. The Psalms tell us of their ministry of protection of God’s children: “The angel of the Lord encampethround about them that fear him, and delivereth them”(Psalm 34:7). “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot againsta stone” (Psalm 91:11, 12).
As a child of God, you can expect His angels to minister to you. “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (Hebrews 13:2).
When Lucifer fell from heaven he took one-third of the angels with him, and they became the foul demons of hell. The remaining two-thirds of heaven’s angels are still actively working for God, frequently manifesting their ministry to people today. They do the Lord’s work on earth when man’s ability is limited.
Often man’s ability is limited by his own ignorance. This is where the ministry of believers comes in. First, youmust learn what your rights to minister are, and then you must put them into practice.
It is the believer’s responsibility to know what the Word of God says about his rights; it is his privilege to exercise those rights, to use the promises in God’s Word as his strength for any situation. The tools of a Christian are prayer and praise, used in faith and with boldness.
Discover what your rights are in Jesus and live a successful, powerful, victorious life.
The ministry of angels has never been given a very large place in Christianity since the time of the Reformation. However, the Bible contains many references to angelic ministries. The Old Testament gives many examples of angelic visits as well as teaching and promise regarding this subject. Angels ministered where man’s strength and ability were limited.
In the Gospels there are numerous references to angels. Angels visited Mary and Joseph. Angels announced theMessiah’s birth, and at His resurrection they rolled away the stone. They ministered to Jesus in the wilderness. They stood beside the disciples following the Lord’s ascension and told them He was coming back in like manner as they had seen Him go away.
In the Book of Acts we read how an angel opened the prison and delivered the apostles, telling them, “Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life” (Acts 5:20). It was an angel who supernaturally transported Philip from Samaria to Gaza (Acts 8). It was an angel who opened the prison and set Peter free (Acts 12). Throughoutthe Book of Acts the ministry of angels is evident.
The Book of Acts represents the first 33 years of the Church’s ministry, and is the guideline for 20th century Christians. What took place then we have a right to expect today.
In the Book of Acts we see the mighty works of the Spirit through the ministry of the apostles. The instrument theyused was the Word of God. The power behind the Word which produced miracles was the name of Jesus. The ability came through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews 1:14 informs us that angels are ministering spirits, sent forth to do service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation. The conversion of Ed Nelson is a remarkable example of the intervention of angels to reach onewhowas seemingly destined for a Christless grave.
It is important that you know what belongs to you in Christ and how to possess these rights by faith. Jesus said, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). In other words, “When you understand your rights, you can enjoy your liberty.”
Without knowing your rights, you may be constantly tormented by fears and uncertainties, by doubts and defeat, by sickness and infirmities. When you know your rights in Christ, you can face each day with certainty. You can act with assurance, you can pray with confidence, you can speak with authority. Your countenance is settled, your attitude is unwavering, your integrity is unblemished.
When you know your rights, your faith does not waver. “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he thatwavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all hisways” (James 1:6-8).
When you know your rights, you are not willing for Satan or anyone to prevent you from enjoying them. James 4:7 says, “…Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” When you know your rights, you will not give up until you possess what is yours in Christ Jesus. The apostle Paul said, “… For all things are yours … And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s” (1
Corinthians 3:21, 23).
What, then, are some of your rights as a follower of
Christ?
1. You have a right to be saved and free from condemnation.
Thousands are tormentedby inward fears that they might not be right with God. This fear continually destroys their faith and steadfastness in prayer. Such tormenting fear is
The Ministry of Angels and Believers
of the devil.
When you accept Christ as your Saviour, understand that He bore your sins and paid the penalty for them. When you confess Jesus before men and tell what He has done for you, you are accepted by our wonderful God. By His creative power, He works a miracle in yourlife and you are born again. You become a new creature. You are saved. You are changed. His life becomes your life. You are a son of God, your sins are gone,your nature is changed. You are counted as one of God’s children. Christ’s life, His love, His righteousness begins to be reflected in you.
Yes, you are a Christian; that is, you have become Christ- like.” Such an experience is a miracle of redemption, a marvel of divine love.
This love-life, peace-life, faith-life and health-life is the object of Satan’s greatest jealousy. He yearns to destroy such a life. Since he cannot legally affect your salvation, his aim is to undermine your confidence and faith, to torment and accuse you. Satan despises yourrights as a believer. He knows that only by affectingyour faith can he affect your life with Jesus.
Claim yourrights in Christ and allow God’s peace to replace the fear and condemnation that once filled your heart.
2. You have a right to peace. You are free from your sins because Jesus paid for them. He did not come to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved (John 3:17). “Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God”(I John 3:21). If the devil can torment you and condemn you, he knows your confidence is shattered and without faith you will never enjoy the blessings which Jesus died to provide for you.
When Jesus left this earth and returned to the right hand of the Father, He said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you . . . ” (John 14:27). That peace is yours now. Don’tlet the devil throw a blanket of condemnation over your soul every time you claim God’s blessings. Moffatt’s translation of Romans 8:34 reads: “When God acquits, who shall condemn,
Your Rights In Christ
when Christ, Who is at God’s right hand, actually pleads for us?” You have been acquitted by God, and no devil can condemn you. Jesus will never condemn youbecause He has provided for your redemption.
I have seen Satan cheat people out of countless blessings by his cunning trick of condemnation. That is whyPaul shouts, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:1).
You can say, “Never again will I confess condemnation, for there is now no condemnation to them which are in Christ. Iam in Christ; therefore, I am free from condemnation!”
Speak thesewords: “Therefore being justified by faith, wehave peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans
5:1).
One of the fruits of the Spirit is peace (Galatians 5:22). Ephesians 2:14 says, “For he is our peace….”
Paul commands us, “Let the peace ofGod rule in yourhearts . . . ” (Colossians 3:15).
You see, fear and condemnation have no part in a believer. They are of Satan. Resist these wrong spirits and claim the peace of the Lord. For it is yours.
3. You have a right to be well and strong. Health belongs to you just as peace does because, “… Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses” (Matthew 8:17).
Sickness is of the devil. It steals energy and health, it loses money and time, it prevents pleasure, and it even kills.
Satan has no right to place disease and weakness on your body. You have a covenant right to health. God’s covenant with believers states that the Lord is our physician. “I am the Lord that healeth thee” (Exodus 15:26).
Disease was part of the curse for disobedience. But you are no longer disobedient when you obey the gospel and receive Jesus as Saviour and Lord. Jesus bore your diseases for you (Matthew8:17; Isaiah 53:5). This is a clear Bible fact.
The Ministry of Angels and Believers
He took your place and bore your punishment of sickness which you deserved to bear. He suffered that you might be healed.
Jesus demonstrated this same covenant in His attitude while on earth by healing every person who sought His healing. Healing was an integral part of every disciple’s ministry. The early Christians ministered healing to the sick. The Holy Spirit placed gifts of healing in the Church. An established ordinance of the Church states, “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointinghim with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up …” (James 5:14,15).
The only reason sickness has been able to invade the lives of countless devout Christians is that Satan has succeeded in making them believe that sickness is from God and will in some way do them some good. The fact is that sickness is entirely of the devil. Jesus healed all who were oppressed of thedevil (Acts 10:38).
You have a right tobe well. You havea right to have astrong body. Claim your rights. Don’t let Satan undermine your faith. Resist him in Jesus’ name and he will flee from you (James 4:7). “According as his divine power hath givenunto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness …” (II Peter 1:3). Sickness pertains to death, for it is death in its premature form. But health pertains to life. God says, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth” (3 John 2).
Claim all your rights. Jesus suffered and died to provide them. Purpose to enjoy them. Resolve to possess what His suffering paid for. Do not yield what belongs to you. Jesus, your victor, stands for you. His peace, health and life are yours today.
