Topical Bible: Angels: Minister to Christ

◄ Angels: Minister to Christ ►

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In the biblical narrative, angels are depicted as celestial beings created by God to serve various purposes, including the ministry to Jesus Christ during His earthly life and mission. Their role in ministering to Christ underscores their function as messengers and servants of God, executing divine will and providing support to the Son of God.

Angelic Announcement of Christ's Birth

The ministry of angels to Christ begins with the announcement of His birth. The angel Gabriel was sent by God to the Virgin Mary to proclaim the miraculous conception of Jesus. In Luke 1:26-31 , Gabriel greets Mary and announces, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus." This angelic visitation highlights the divine orchestration of Christ's incarnation.

Angelic Proclamation to the Shepherds

Following the birth of Jesus, an angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds in the fields, heralding the good news of the Savior's arrival. Luke 2:10-11 records the angel's message: "Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the City of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord!" This announcement was accompanied by a multitude of heavenly hosts praising God, emphasizing the significance of Christ's birth.

Angelic Ministry in the Wilderness

After Jesus' baptism, He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. During this period of testing, angels ministered to Him. Matthew 4:11 states, "Then the devil left Him, and angels came and ministered to Him." This angelic support provided strength and sustenance to Jesus after His forty days of fasting and temptation, illustrating their role in upholding Him during His earthly trials.

Angelic Presence in Gethsemane

In the Garden of Gethsemane, as Jesus faced the impending crucifixion, an angel appeared to strengthen Him. Luke 22:43 notes, "Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him." This moment of divine assistance underscores the intense spiritual and emotional struggle Jesus endured and the heavenly support provided to Him in His hour of need.

Angelic Witness at the Resurrection

Angels played a crucial role in the events surrounding Christ's resurrection. On the morning of the resurrection, an angel descended from heaven and rolled back the stone from the tomb. Matthew 28:2-6 describes this event: "There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled away the stone, and sat on it... The angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said.'" The angelic proclamation affirmed the reality of the resurrection and the fulfillment of Jesus' promise.

Angelic Ascension Witness

At the ascension of Christ, angels were present to provide assurance to the disciples. Acts 1:10-11 recounts, "They were looking intently into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 'Men of Galilee,' they said, 'why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.'" The angels' message confirmed the promise of Christ's return and provided comfort to His followers.

Throughout the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, angels served as divine messengers and ministers, fulfilling God's purposes and providing support to the Savior. Their involvement in key events of Christ's life highlights their role in the divine plan of redemption and their function as servants of the Most High.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 4:11
Then the devil leaves him, and, behold, angels came and ministered to him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 22:43
And there appeared an angel to him from heaven, strengthening him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 1:51
And he said to him, Truly, truly, I say to you, Hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of man.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Angels of the Seven Churches.
... how he transmitted the communication; for, as Christ is said ... turn, conveyed it by
the seven angels to the ... to visit a distinguished Christian minister who had ...
//christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter iv the angels of.htm

Of the Dignity of this Sacrament, and of the Office of the Priest
... For this is not deserved by merit of man that a man should consecrate and minister
the Sacrament of Christ, and take for food the bread of Angels. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/chapter v of the dignity.htm

The Ascension of Christ
... gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet." Angels and glorified ...
Oh, miserable soul is it come to this, that a minister of Christ must have ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the ascension of christ.htm

Christ and the Little Children
... "How to Get the Angels Out." A Christian mother, whose children had ... "The Best Time
for Doing This." A faithful minister of Christ had a dear only daughter. ...
/.../the life of jesus christ for the young/christ and the little children.htm

The Temptation of Christ
... may tempt, but cannot force; he may sift, but Christ will pray ... reason of the enemy
oppressing us; but, ere long, angels shall be sent, not to minister to us ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the temptation of christ.htm

Man the Vehicle for Exhibiting God's Perfections.
... Through the sacrifice of Christ, God will take the sacrificed life of man and possess
it by his Spirit and again demonstrate moral ... Angels minister to thee. ...
/.../orr/how to live a holy life/man the vehicle for exhibiting.htm

The Sick Person Ought Now to Send for Some Godly and Religious ...
... death is remembered and shewed, and the minister, together with ... all his sins by the
merits of Christ Jesus' blood ... the danger of the devil and his wicked angels. ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/the sick person ought now.htm

The Message Heeded
... of God, shown in the sacred trust committed to him as a minister of Christ. ... not of
us." God could have proclaimed His truth through sinless angels, but this ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 31 the message heeded.htm

Agency of Evil Spirits.
... A guardian angel is appointed to every follower of Christ. ... do always behold the
face of My Father."(907) The angels appointed to minister to the ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /31 agency of evil spirits.htm

The Son and the Angels.
... come in His glory, and all the angels with Him."[12] In allusion to this saying
of Christ, the Apostle ... But may not the angels be sent forth to minister? ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter ii the son and.htm