“Doctrinal Statement on Angelology”

Pastor John – 2023

My Doctrinal Statement on Angelology

I. The creation of angels

I believe that God created angels (Col. 1:16) as spiritual beings, having moral judgment, intelligence, but no physical body (Neh. 9:6; Ps. 148:2, 5; 2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6; Matt. 28:5; Luke 24:39; Heb. 1:14; Rev. 4:11; 5:11). There are different kinds of angels. Angels are different than human beings, with different unique attributes than us and have a God-given design and destiny. They are not made in the image of God – imago dei (Heb. 2:7; Luke 20:36; 2 Sam. 14:20; Matt. 24:36; 28:2; 2 Pet. 2:11; 1 Cor. 6:3). 

II. The work of angels

I believe that angels have different divinely assigned work. They minster to God (Gen. 3:24; Ex. 25:17-22; Isa. 6:3). They minister to Christ (Luke 1:26-38; Matt. 2:13; 2:20; 4:11; 25:31; 28:5-7; Mark 16:6-7; Luke 22:43; 24:4-7; John 20:12-13; Acts 1:10). Angels minister to believers in various ways (Heb. 1:14; Ps. 34:7; 35:4-5; 91:11-13; Acts 5:18-19; Rev. 7:1-14; 1 Kings 19:5-7; Acts 27:23-25; 8:26; Dan. 9:20-27; Acts 12:1-11; Luke 16:22; 2 Cor. 5:8). Angels are involved in executing judgment on unbelievers (Gen. 19:12-13; Ezek. 9:1-11; Matt. 13:39-42; Rev. 14:4, 7, 8-9, 15, 17-18; 16:2-17).

III. The origin and work of demons

I believe that demons, along with their works, originated as a result of their rebellion against God (only God knows everything about it) along with the consequences, as recorded in Scripture (Gen. 3:1-5; 2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6; Isa. 14:12-15; Ezek. 28:11-19). Satan, who also has other names in the Bible, is the head of the demons (Job 1:6, 1:7-2:7). Sin originated with Satan (Gen. 3:1-6; 2 Cor.11:3). His goal, along with being the origin of sin, is to tempt others to sin (John 8:44; 1 John 3:8). The works of Satan and demons include, inflicting disease (Luke 13:11, 13:16; Job 1:12; 2:6; 2 Cor. 12:7-10), influencing the mind (Gen. 3:1-5; 2 Cor. 4:4; 11:3; James 3:15; 2 Cor. 10:5; Phil. 4:6-8), deceive people (1 Thess. 3:5; Eph. 2:2; Matt. 13:19), and deceiving nations (Rev. 16:14).

IV. The nature of spiritual warfare in this present world

I believe demons exist in this world and are active agents of evil. They must not be underestimated, since they are formidable enemies of mankind, along with Satan (Eph. 6:10-18). Demons are local, not omnipresent (Matt. 8:28-34; Acts 16:16). They are intelligent, but not omniscient (Mark 1:24; Matt. 8:29; 1 Tim. 4:1). They are powerful, but not omnipotent (Mark 5:3-4; 9:22; Matt. 15:22; John 10:21). Christians cannot be demon-possessed. While not all sin and evil is of demonic origin, some is from Satan and demons. Spiritual warfare is real today. While angels carry out God’s will and serve Him, demons – as fallen angels (2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6) ultimately, fighting against God, culminates in their eternal punishment (Matt. 25:41; 2 Pet. 2:4) with Satan’s final eternal defeat (Rev. 20:7-10).