FUNDAMENTALS OF THE FAITH
Studies in Basic Bible Doctrine
Part One of Four, Copyright (c) 1976

This is a book of 20 bible study outlines on various topics (every verse on each topic). 
Sample follows list of topics (chapter titles) included:

ANGELS

"He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways." 
(Psalms 91:11)

I.   What is an angel? Where did angels come from?

      A.   The word "angel" is derived from the Greek word angelos, meaning
             "messenger." (See 1 Thessalonians 4:16.)

      B.   Angels are supernatural beings distinctly separate from the race of man.

                    1 Corinthians 6:3; 15:39-41
                    Hebrews 1:14

      C.   They were created by God (Psalms 148:2-5; Colossians 1:16) sometime
             prior to the existence of man (Job 38:7).

      D.   They neither marry nor reproduce (Luke 20:34-36), but are "an innumerable
             company."     

                    Deuteronomy 33:2
                    Job 25:3
                    Psalms 68:17
                    Matthew 26:53
                    Luke 2:13
                    Hebrews 12:22
                    Jude 14 ("saints" = "holy ones")
                    Revelation 5:11

II.    Why were angels created?

        A.   For ministry to God (worship).

                    Nehemiah 9:6
                    Psalms 148:2
                    Isaiah 6:2-4
                    Matthew 18:10
                    Luke 2:13
                    Hebrews 1:6
                    Revelation 5:11, 12; 7:11

B. For ministry to man (the "heirs of salvation").

                    Genesis 28:12
                    Psalms 104:4
                    Matthew 4:11 (Mark 1:13)
                    Hebrews 1:7, 14

III.   Does each Christian really have a guardian angel?

        A.   Scripture speaks of those angels appointed by God to watch over the elect.

                    Psalms 91:11, 12
                    Matthew 18:10

        B.   The early church understood that each believer had a special angel.

                    Acts 12:15

IV.   Specific duties have been assigned to angels.

        A.   Angels minister to the physical needs of God's people.

               1.   They provide protection and deliverance from danger.

                           Genesis 19:1, 11, 15
                           Psalms 91:11-21
                           Daniel 6:22
                           Matthew 26:53
                           Acts 5:18, 19

                 2.   Angels can impart physical strength to man in his time of need.

                           Daniel 10:8-11, 16-19
                           Matthew 4:11 (Mark 1:13)
                           Luke 22:43

                 3.   Sometimes they are even sent with man's supply of food for nourishment.

                           1 Kings 19:5-8

       B.   Gabriel imparted skill and understanding to Daniel concerning the vision
              he had received from God.

                     Daniel 9:21-23; 10:14

       C.   Angels serve as a supernatural means of communication between God and man.

              1.  For the purpose of direction.

                           Luke 1:11, 19, 26, etc. (Matthew 1:20; 2:13, 19, 20; etc.)
                           Acts 8:26; 10:3-6, 22

             2.   For encouragement.

                           Genesis 21:17-19
                           Daniel 10:12
                           Acts 27:23, 24

             3.   For revelation.

                           Revelation 22:6, 16

                   a.   The Law was delivered by angels.

                                Acts 7:53
                                Galatians 3:19
                                Hebrews 2:2

                   b.   Visions have been interpreted by special messengers from God.

                                Daniel 7:16; 8:15, 16, 19; 9:21-23; 10:14
                                Zechariah 1:9, 13, 14, 19; 4:1-6, 11-14; 5:1-3
                                Revelation 17:7, etc.

       D.   God uses angels to execute His judgment on the unrighteous.

                    Genesis 19:1-25
                    2 Samuel 24:16, 17
                    2 Kings 19:35 (Isaiah 37:36)
                    1 Chronicles 21:15
                    2 Chronicles 32:21
                    Ezekiel 9:2, 5, 7
                    Matthew 13:41, 42, 49, 50; 24:30
                    Acts 12:23
                    Revelation 7:1, 2; 8:2-13; 9:15; 15:1; etc.

       E.   Angels have a role to fulfill even after the death of a believer.
             (See Luke 16:22.)

V.   What are angels like? Do they really have wings?

       A.   Angels are spirits (Hebrews 1:14), and a "spirit hath not flesh and
              bones" (Luke 24:39). But angels can take on the "appearance of man."
              (See Daniel 8:15; 10:16, 18.)

               1.  "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have
                    entertained angels unawares."

                           Hebrews 13:2

               2.  Angels have been mistaken for men and received by men of God
                    as guests in their own homes.

                           Genesis 18:2-6; 19:1-3

      B.  Scripture describes cherubim and seraphim as having wings.

                    Exodus 25:20, etc.
                    1 Chronicles 28:18
                    Isaiah 6:2, 6
                    Ezekiel 1:4-25; 10:1-22; 11:22
                    Revelation 4:6-8

      C.  When seen in their glory, angels may have a special brightness upon them.

                    Daniel 10:6
                    Matthew 28:2-5
                    Luke 24:4
                    Acts 1:10; 10:30

      D.  Angels have superhuman strength.

                    Genesis 19:1, 11
                    Psalms 103:20
                    Matthew 28:2-7, 20
                    Acts 5:19; 12:7, 23
                    2 Thessalonians 1:7
                    2 Peter 2:11
                    Revelation 5:2

       E.   Those angels that remained faithful to God (after the downfall
             of Satan) are obedient to His commands.

                    Psalms 103:20
                    Luke 7:8

       F.  Angels have at times been fearful to look upon.

                    Judges 6:22, 23; 13:6
                    Daniel 8:16-18, 27
                    Luke 1:11, 12
                    Acts 10:3, 4

VI.   From where did the "fallen angels" of which the Bible speaks come,
        if nothing God created was evil?

        A.   All the angels were created good and holy.

                    Genesis 1:31, etc.

        B.   In fact, Lucifer (Satan) and his followers were once in heaven.

                    Isaiah 14:12
                    Ezekiel 28:13, 14
                    Luke 10:18
                    Revelation 12:8

        C.   However, they "kept not their first estate (or, principality), but left their
               own habitation." They rebelled against God, and a war in heaven resulted.

                    Isaiah 14:12-15
                    Ezekiel 28:13-17
                    2 Peter 2:4
                    Jude 6, 7
                    Revelation 12:7-9

         D.   This spiritual warfare is still taking place between the powers of darkness
                and light.

                    Daniel 10:13, 21
                    Ephesians 6:11-17

         E.   In the end, Satan and his angels will be cast into the lake of fire forever.

                    Matthew 25:41
                    Revelation 20:10

VII.   What rank or place in God's creation do angels hold?

         A.   Angels are not greater than man.

                1.   They are ministering servants of the elect of God.

                           Psalms 104:4
                           Hebrews 1:7, 14

                2.   They will be judged by men.

                           1 Corinthians 6:3

                3.   Man was created a higher order than the angels.

                           Psalms 8:4-5 (Actually, the word here translated "angels" is the Hebrew
                           "Elohim" – meaning, "Godhead," as in Genesis 1:1.)
                           Hebrews 2:5-9

       B.   There are different ranks of angels, too. The Bible mentions two archangels
              (or, "chief messengers," as in 1 Thessalonians 4:16) by name.

              1.   Michael.

                           Daniel 12:1, 2
                           Jude 9
                           Revelation 12:7

              2.   Gabriel.

                           Daniel 8:15-17; 9:21
                           Luke 1:11-13, 19, 26

        C.   Angels are subject to God.

                    1 Peter 3:22

               1.   They are wise (2 Samuel 14:17, 20), but they are not omniscient
                     (Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32; 1 Peter 1:12).

               2.   They are immortal (Luke 20:36), but they are created beings (Psalms
                     148:2-5; Colossians 1:16).

               3.   They are strong (Genesis 19:1, 11; Psalms 103:20; Matthew 28:2-7;
                     Acts 5:19; 12:7, 23; 2 Thessalonians 1:7; 2 Peter 2:11; Revelation 5:2),
                     but they are not omnipotent (Daniel 10:13).

               4.   They are not to be worshipped (Colossians 2:18; Hebrews 1:4, 5, 13;
                     Revelation 19:10; 22:8, 9) and do not accept sacrifices (Judges 13:15, 16).

               5.   God said that no man could see Him and still live (Exodus 33:20); but
                     seeing an angel will not make a person die (Judges 6:22, 23; 13:6, 19-23).

VIII.   It is good to recognize the significance of angelic ministry, but any overemphasis
           upon their service to man is not desirable.

                    Colossians 2:18

© Copyright 1976, 1977, 1998 Diane S. Dew. Used here by permission.

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