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excellentposter

angels - Holy Spirit

excellentposter · Friendly Face Posts: 358 **4/13/20 2:57 pm**

The earthly life of Jesus from beginning to end is replete with angelic encounters. The resurrection story, of course, details the presence and ministry of an angel. And, the Book of Acts tells us that Jesus was full of the Holy Ghost.

I suppose that throughout my life and ministry I have assumed that the Holy Spirit would lead me and instruct me without the interaction of angels. I am wondering if I may have missed something big here.

Is it normative for believers to have regular interaction with angels... with guardian angels?

It seems to me that having an angel to instruct me or warn me would be far more clear to my understanding than trying to discern the promptings, leadings, and directions given by the Holy Spirit whom I can not hear, touch, or see. What are your thoughts?

Eddie Robbins

Acts-pert Poster Posts: 16509 **4/13/20 3:27 pm**

Probably much more than we realize. I believe I have heard an angel twice in my life.

Dave Dorsey

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 13654 **4/13/20 3:39 pm**

I think Scripture gives every reason to believe that unknowing interactions between angels and God's people are normative.

I don't think I'd feel comfortable saying based on Scripture that conscious interactions are normative (though they clearly happen). But angels are surely working night and day to protect God's people and to work His will and His good in their lives.

I also personally do not see a Scriptural warrant for looking to angels to discern God's direction or word, and I see some examples of what could be interpreted as a warning against that. That also does not seem normative, though there are clearly many biblical examples in which God chose to use angels as a means to guide or direct His people.

excellentposter

But it seems that the Biblical accounts were....

Friendly Face Posts: 358 **4/13/20 3:45 pm**

...that angels had obvious conscious interaction with people, and the people not only heard but saw the angels. What, if anything, has changed that from what we could and maybe should expect today?

Dave Dorsey

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 13654 **4/13/20 3:55 pm**

For me, I think it's a distinction between realizing that God can and does work in that way today and being open to recognizing that work in my life, versus expecting that particular manifestation to occur in my life. Many biblical figures experienced the leading or guide of angels, but many others did not.

Whether that particular form of God's leading and guidance occurs in my life or not isn't up to me, so I don't see a basis for expecting or not expecting it. My expectation and faith is planted in the knowledge that God loves me, orders my steps, works for my good, and sanctifies me by His grace. I 100% expect that to occur every day of my life. But as for the particular means in which it occurs, I don't see a reason to expect one manifestation over another, if that makes sense.

Just my thoughts. This is a great conversation, thanks for posting the questions!

excellentposter

Not much interest in angels, I See

Friendly Face Posts: 358 **4/15/20 12:11 pm**

I wonder why. Such a fascinating study! Are we afraid that angels are just a New Age phenomenon or that they are on the fringe of orthodoxy?

Quiet Wyatt

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 12792 **4/15/20 12:23 pm**

In Scripture, I see believers seeking to be led by the Holy Spirit, and I do see angels on very special occasions revealing themselves to believers, but I do not see believers seeking to be led by angels or seeking angelic encounters. Such encounters appear to happen strictly according to the will of God. So I can only conclude that the normative means of guidance for believers is by seeking to be led by the Spirit in accordance with the written word rightly interpreted.

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Re: angels - Holy Spirit

Acts-perienced Poster Posts: 11849 **4/19/20 12:10 pm**