Existence of Angels in Christian Theology
Angels are spiritual beings created by God to serve as his messengers and execute his purposes [1, 3]. The term "angel" derives from both Hebrew and Greek words meaning "messenger" [1]. While it can refer to human messengers, prophets, priests, or even impersonal agents like pestilence or wind, its primary theological application is to these heavenly intelligences [1].
The Bible describes angels as created by God and Christ [3]. They worship God and Christ [3] and are immortal, though their immortality is derived from God, who alone possesses it inherently [15]. Angels are depicted as ministering spirits [3, 10], communicating God's will [3], obeying his commands [3], and executing his judgments [3]. For instance, an angel ministered to Elijah [3], delivered Peter from prison [3], and struck Herod Agrippa [3]. Angels also rejoice over a repenting sinner [4].
Some biblical passages use the phrase "angel of God" or "angel of the Lord" to refer to a manifestation of God himself, particularly Christ before his incarnation [2, 5]. For example, the angel who appeared to Moses in the burning bush is identified with God [2], and the angel in whom God's "name is in him" is understood by some as God himself [11].
Scripture names two specific angels: Gabriel and Michael [6]. Gabriel, whose name means "man of God" [9], appeared to Daniel [6, 7, 9] and later announced the births of John the Baptist and Jesus [6, 7]. Michael is identified as an archangel, a high-ranking angel in Jewish tradition [8], and is mentioned in Daniel, Jude, and Revelation [6, 8]. He is depicted as a mighty angel who contends with the devil [8].
Angels are often associated with God's judgment [12]. They are present at the final judgment, gathering the elect and casting out evildoers [12]. In some Christian traditions, angels are believed to be assigned to individuals. John Chrysostom, for example, taught that each believer has an angel, citing Christ's words about the angels of "these little ones" always beholding the Father's face [13]. Jacob's reference to "The Angel that feedeth me, and delivereth me from my youth" is also cited in support of this idea [13].
The relationship between God and angels differs from that between God and humanity. John Calvin noted that there was no revolt or sin among the elect angels, and thus no need for a mediator to reconcile them to God, unlike humanity [14]. Angels are part of the heavenly host that surrounds God's throne [3].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Angel — A word signifying, both in the Hebrew and Greek, a "messenger," and hence employed to denote any agent God sends forth to execute his purposes. It is used of an ordinary messenger (Job 1:14: 1 Sam. 11:3; Luke 7:24; 9:52), of prophets (Isa. 42:19; Hag. 1:13), of priests (Mal. 2:7), and ministers of the New Testament (Rev. 1:20). It is also applied to such impersonal agents as the pestilence (2 Sam. 24:16, 17; 2 Kings 19:35), the wind (Ps. 104:4). But its distinctive application is to certain heavenly intelligences whom God employs in carrying on his government”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Angels — By the word "angels" (i.e. "messengers" of God) we ordinarily understand a race of spiritual beings of a nature exalted far above that of man, although infinitely removed from that of God--whose office is "to do him service in heaven, and by his appointment to succor and defend men on earth. I. Scriptural use of the word .--There are many passages in which the expression "angel of God" is certainly used for a manifestation of God himself (Genesis 22:11) with Genesis 22:12 and Exod 3:2 with Exod 3:6 and Exod 3:14 It is to be observed, also, that side by side w”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Angels — Created by God and Christ -- Ne 9:6; Col 1:16. Worship God and Christ -- Ne 9:6; Php 2:9-11; Heb 1:6. Are ministering Spirits -- 1Ki 19:5; Ps 68:17; 104:4; Lu 16:22; Ac 12:7-11; 27:23; Heb 1:7,14. Communicate the will of God and Christ -- Da 8:16,17; 9:21-23; 10:11; 12:6,7; Mt 2:13,20; Lu 1:19,28; Ac 5:20; 8:26; 10:5; 27:23; Re 1:1. Obey the will of God -- Ps 103:20; Mt 6:10. Execute the purposes of God -- Nu 22:22; Ps 103:21; Mt 13:39-42; 28:2; Joh 5:4; Re 5:2. Execute the judgments of God -- 2Sa 24:16; 2Ki 19:35; Ps 35:5,6; Ac 12:23; Re 16:1. Celebrate the”
- Luke “Even so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner repenting.” -- Luke 15:10”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Angel Of The Lord — (Genesis 16:7) etc. (The special form in which God manifested himself to man, and hence Christ's visible form before the incarnation. Compare (Acts 7:30-38) with the corresponding Old-Testament history; and (Genesis 18:1,13,14,33) and Genesis 19:1)”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 1:19: 1:19 I am Gabriel! Two angels are named in Scripture: Gabriel (Dan 8:16; 9:21) and Michael (Dan 10:13; 12:1; Jude 1:9; Rev 12:7).”
- Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 1:19: And the angel answering, said unto him, I am Gabriel,.... The name of an angel well known to Zacharias from Daniel's prophecies, Dan 8:16 and is the first time we read of the name of an angel: the Jews say (a), the names of angels came out of Babylon, by the means of the Israelites; and it was there that Daniel became acquainted with this name of Gabriel, and also of Michael. Frequent mention is made of Gabriel in the Jewish writings (b): were there a particular angel appointed over conception, as the Jews say (c) there is, one would be ready to think it should be Gabri”
- Jude (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Jude 1:9: 1:9 Michael, one of the mightiest of the angels: In Jewish tradition, “archangel” was the highest rank of angel (see also 1 Thes 4:16). Michael is mentioned several other times in Scripture (Dan 10:13, 21; 12:1; Rev 12:7); the story about him fighting with the devil about Moses’ body is not in the Old Testament but is preserved in Jewish tradition (see Assumption of Moses).”
- Daniel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Daniel 8:15: 8:15-16 The name Gabriel means “man of God”; he appeared like a man to Daniel (see also 9:21; Luke 1:19, 26).”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 22:43: 22:43 an angel from heaven: Angels often help and encourage human beings (see Heb 1:14; cp. 1 Kgs 19:5-8; Ps 91:11-12; Dan 3:28; 10:16-19).”
- Exodus (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Exodus 23:21: my name is in him--This angel is frequently called Jehovah and Elohim, that is, God.”
- 1 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Timothy 5:21: 5:21 God and Christ Jesus and the highest angels constitute three witnesses (5:19). These witnesses confirm the accusation against leaders who sin (5:20). • Angels are associated with God’s judgment (Dan 7:9-10; Matt 13:49; 25:31, 41; Luke 9:26; 2 Thes 1:7).”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: partition. At first the Angels were according to the number of the nations; but now, not to the number of the nations, but that of the believers. Whence is this evident? Hear Christ saying, “See that ye despise not one of these little ones, for their Angels do always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven.” ( Matt. xviii. 10 .) For each believer hath an Angel; since even from the beginning, every one of those that were approved had his Angel, as Jacob says, “The Angel that feedeth me, and delivereth me from my youth.” 75”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 27.5: as a Judge to their ruin, 313 313 “ A leur confusion et ruine ;” — “To their confusion and ruin.” had not the grace of the Mediator interposed for appeasing his anger. Hence the nature of the peace making between God and men was this, that enmities have been abolished through Christ, and thus God becomes a Father instead of a Judge. Between God and angels the state of matters is very different, for there was there 314 314 “ En eux ;” — “Among them.” no revolt, no sin, and consequently no separation. It was, however”
- 1 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Timothy 6:16: Who only hath immortality,.... Angels are immortal, and so are the souls of men, and so will be the bodies of men after the resurrection; but then neither of these have immortality of themselves, they have it from God; who only has it, of himself, originally, essentially, and inderivatively. Dwelling in that light which no man can approach unto; in this present, frail, and mortal state; yea, angels themselves cannot bear the lustre of it, but cover their faces with their wings; for God is light itself, as well as clothes himself with light, as with a garment; and”