Mike Parsons –
The Role of Angels
The angels were involved from the very beginning, because I did not fully understand what was happening. Only in hindsight can I see the cycles of change in my life, one after another. One significant moment was when I was baptized in the Spirit. I discovered several books that challenged my understanding of spirit, soul, and body. There was one particular book, probably the thickest I had ever read, The Normal Christian Life by Watchman Nee, exploring the nature of the spirit, soul and body, and how they interact. I devoured it because I was hungry for understanding. It began to reveal the role of the Holy Spirit and my own spirit in ways I had never considered.
By accident, I found another book, Nine O’Clock in the Morning by Dennis and Rita Bennett, written in the late 1950s in the United States. It focused on baptism in the Spirit and spiritual gifts. At that time, I was in the Brethren church, which did not embrace any of these ideas. Reading the book, I was astonished—it shared how encounters with the Holy Spirit transformed lives.
I began asking questions, but many dismissed it. Some said, “Oh, that is not for today,” while others claimed those experiencing it were deceived. It was a difficult time, and God had to change my mindset. This cycle of change, with the Holy Spirit active in my life, ultimately brought about transformation. I realised I needed confirmation for myself. I could not simply accept, “Yes, God said it, it is true.” I required evidence.
Baptism in the Spirit
I found confirmation through Martin Lloyd-Jones, a well-known preacher at Westminster Chapel in London. His recordings and his book Baptism of the Spirit convinced me theologically that baptism in the Spirit is for today—and I desired it. It still took several years before I received it, but I pursued it diligently.
Cycles of change were facilitated by both people and angels. At one point, a childhood friend I had not seen for years returned to my life. He had become a Christian and was baptized in the Spirit. He laid his hand on my head in a small group, and I experienced a powerful encounter with God.
God orchestrates these cycles; He is active, not passive, in bringing us into the maturity of sonship. Receiving baptism in the Holy Spirit opened another cycle of change. I became more open to hearing God and understanding His purposes. This led to a fresh perspective on eschatology—understanding kingdom and covenant in ways I had not encountered growing up in the Brethren church. God revealed truths beyond the futurism and premillennial rapture teaching I had known.
Community and Mentorship
After several years, I found an old book by Archibald Hughes, which affirmed all that God had been teaching me. Deconstructing my previous beliefs had taken time. I did not teach these truths for twenty or thirty years, fearing controversy. Eventually, I could no longer remain silent. The insights were so radically aligned with Jesus’ teaching that they opened a broader understanding—about covenantal judgment on the old system, the generation, and God’s ongoing work in the world.
God’s orchestration of my life was evident in these cycles of change, often interspersed with periods of rest. I saw the angels’ involvement and recognised God as the conductor of an orchestra—the symphony is the song of my life, and He directs the rhythm. I may not fully understand how conductors work, but the orchestra responds to His guidance: speeding up, slowing down, and emphasising particular movements. God’s involvement in every detail is remarkable.
Deconstructing Beliefs
We do not need to understand everything fully; our role is to participate and cooperate. Over time, I learned not to resist or demand full comprehension before embracing God’s work in me. I became proactive, recognising cycles of change and the timing of God’s intervention. He is gracious, merciful, and loving. He knows exactly what we need and when, helping us enter into His processes rather than resist them.
Our backgrounds influence how easily we assimilate new truths. Some of us, like myself, require much convincing. But as I grew sensitive to God’s work, I learned to embrace transformation willingly—stepping onto the altar to be refined and purified without hesitation. Previously, I clung to control, needing to be convinced to release things. Now, I trust Him completely. God is always good. If He leads us through something, it is for our ultimate blessing, making it easier to say “yes” quickly.
God does not intend to harm us or make life unnecessarily difficult. Often, it is we who make things harder for ourselves. Trusting Him accelerates our willingness to embrace His work in us because we recognise His goodness, mercy, and love. He is a good, loving, wonderful Father, always seeking the best for us.
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Sons of Issachar 