Doctrine of Angels
(Angelology)
We teach that all angels have been created by God. Therefore, as created beings, angels are not to be adored or worshiped in any way. Angels were created to serve God and worship Him. Angels are also ministering spirits sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation, i.e., the elect of God. (Luke 2:9-14; Hebrews 1:1-14; Revelation 4-5; Revelation 19:10)
“God created all the angels spirits, immortal, holy, excelling in knowledge, mighty in power, to execute his commandments, and to praise his name, yet subject to change” (Westminster Confession of Faith, The Larger Catechism #16).
We teach that there are holy and unholy angels. All angels, including Satan, were originally created as holy by God. Satan chose to rebel against God, he became the author of sin and took numerous holy angels with him in his fall from heaven. These angels became fallen/unholy angels, i.e., demons. (Genesis 1:31; Revelation 12; Matthew 25:41)
“God by his providence permitted some of the angels, wilfully and irrecoverably, to fall into sin and damnation, limiting and ordering that, and all their sins, to his own glory; and established the rest in holiness and happiness; employing them all, at his pleasure, in the administrations of his power, mercy, and justice” (Westminster Confession of Faith, The Larger Catechism #19).
We teach that Satan introduced sin into this world by successfully tempting Adam and Eve to disobey God. Satan is the enemy (i.e., “adversary”) of God who attempts to oppose God and His divine purposes. The Bible describes him as the evil ruler of the wicked world system; the prince of the power of the air; the evil one who holds the world of non-believers in his power; the god of this world who has blinded the minds of unbelievers; the accuser of the brethren; the wicked serpent; the father of lies; the deceiver who masquerades as an angel of light; and the roaring lion who desires to devour people. (Genesis 3:1-7; Job 1-2, John 12:31; Ephesians 2:2; First John 5:19; Second Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 12:9-10, John 8:44; 2 Corinthians. 11:14; First Peter 5:8)
We teach that Satan is a wicked, spiritual being who has power to deceive, tempt, accuse, and destroy. However, he is not a divine being who is equal with God. He is a finite, created being who is limited in power - he is not omnipotent. He is limited in knowledge - he is not omniscient. He is limited in space and time - he is not omnipresent. (John 10:10; First John 4:4; Job 1-2; Luke 22:31; Second Thessalonians 2:3-12; Matthew 4:1-11)
We teach that demons are deceptive, spiritual beings under the rule of Satan. Demons harass, tempt, torment, and propagate false doctrine. Like their leader, demons are finite beings who are limited in their abilities and power. They can possess non-believers, but they cannot possess born-again believers. All Christians are indwelt by the God the Holy Spirit. (Mark 1:21-28; First Corinthians 6:19; Romans 8:9; First Timothy 4:1-2; First Corinthians 10:14-22)
We teach that Satan and the unholy angels were decisively defeated by Christ through His death and resurrection. They will incur the righteous, just, and unending judgment of God throughout all eternity. (Genesis 3:1-15; Romans 16:20; Colossians 2:15; Second Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6; Revelation 20:10)
We teach that the Old Testament appearances of the Angel of the Lord were a manifestation of the pre-incarnate Christ (Christophany). The Scriptures equate Him with Deity. (Genesis 16:7-15; Genesis 18:1-33; Exodus 3:1-6)
“God created all the angels spirits, immortal, holy, excelling in knowledge, mighty in power, to execute his commandments, and to praise his name, yet subject to change” (Westminster Confession of Faith, The Larger Catechism #16).
We teach that there are holy and unholy angels. All angels, including Satan, were originally created as holy by God. Satan chose to rebel against God, he became the author of sin and took numerous holy angels with him in his fall from heaven. These angels became fallen/unholy angels, i.e., demons. (Genesis 1:31; Revelation 12; Matthew 25:41)
“God by his providence permitted some of the angels, wilfully and irrecoverably, to fall into sin and damnation, limiting and ordering that, and all their sins, to his own glory; and established the rest in holiness and happiness; employing them all, at his pleasure, in the administrations of his power, mercy, and justice” (Westminster Confession of Faith, The Larger Catechism #19).
We teach that Satan introduced sin into this world by successfully tempting Adam and Eve to disobey God. Satan is the enemy (i.e., “adversary”) of God who attempts to oppose God and His divine purposes. The Bible describes him as the evil ruler of the wicked world system; the prince of the power of the air; the evil one who holds the world of non-believers in his power; the god of this world who has blinded the minds of unbelievers; the accuser of the brethren; the wicked serpent; the father of lies; the deceiver who masquerades as an angel of light; and the roaring lion who desires to devour people. (Genesis 3:1-7; Job 1-2, John 12:31; Ephesians 2:2; First John 5:19; Second Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 12:9-10, John 8:44; 2 Corinthians. 11:14; First Peter 5:8)
We teach that Satan is a wicked, spiritual being who has power to deceive, tempt, accuse, and destroy. However, he is not a divine being who is equal with God. He is a finite, created being who is limited in power - he is not omnipotent. He is limited in knowledge - he is not omniscient. He is limited in space and time - he is not omnipresent. (John 10:10; First John 4:4; Job 1-2; Luke 22:31; Second Thessalonians 2:3-12; Matthew 4:1-11)
We teach that demons are deceptive, spiritual beings under the rule of Satan. Demons harass, tempt, torment, and propagate false doctrine. Like their leader, demons are finite beings who are limited in their abilities and power. They can possess non-believers, but they cannot possess born-again believers. All Christians are indwelt by the God the Holy Spirit. (Mark 1:21-28; First Corinthians 6:19; Romans 8:9; First Timothy 4:1-2; First Corinthians 10:14-22)
We teach that Satan and the unholy angels were decisively defeated by Christ through His death and resurrection. They will incur the righteous, just, and unending judgment of God throughout all eternity. (Genesis 3:1-15; Romans 16:20; Colossians 2:15; Second Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6; Revelation 20:10)
We teach that the Old Testament appearances of the Angel of the Lord were a manifestation of the pre-incarnate Christ (Christophany). The Scriptures equate Him with Deity. (Genesis 16:7-15; Genesis 18:1-33; Exodus 3:1-6)