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Doctrinal Statement on Angelology

The Nature of Angels

We believe in the existence of angels. We affirm that angels are created beings (Psalms 148:2-5; Colossians 1:16), created by God to serve him and carry out his commandments (Psalms 34:7; 91:11; 103:20-21). We also believe that angels are spiritual beings who by nature have no physical bodies (Hebrews 1:14). We assert that angels are confined, finite beings. They are not omnipresent, and they have limited powers and abilities (Daniel 10:11-13; 2 Peter 2:4; Revelation 12:7-8). We hold that angels were created in a higher order than human beings (Psalms 8:4). We equally believe that among the angels there are different rankings and hierarchies (Daniel 10:13, 21; 12:1; Jude 9). We also affirm that angels are innumerable in multitude (Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 5:11), do not procreate (Matthew 22:30; Mark 12:25), and do not die (Luke 20:35-36).

The Role of Angels

We believe that angels minister to God, to Christ, and to those who believe in him. Part of the work of angels is to praise and worship God (Psalms 148:2; Isaiah 6:1-3; Revelation 7:11-12). Angels ministered to Christ while he was on earth (Matthew 4:11; Luke 22:43). We also believe that at times God sends angels to minister and communicate his message to believers (Judges 6:11-12; 13:3; Luke 1:11-20, 26-38; Acts 10:3). We assert that angels are also charged by God to carry out his judgment against sinners (Genesis 19:1, 11, 13; 2 Kings 19:35; 1 Chronicles 21:15). We uphold that angels will come with Christ in his glory and will carry out his judgment against sinners in the last day of judgment (Matthew 13:41-42, 50; 25:31; Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26).

The Fallen Angels

We affirm the existence of Satan and his fallen angels. We strongly assert that everything God created was good and righteous in its original state (Genesis 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31). Thus, we deny that Satan and his angels were originally created as evil beings. We believe that he was a heavenly creature in his original state and that he later fell from his original glory and thus acquired his current demonic state (Luke 10:18; 2 Peter 2:4; Revelation 9:1; 12:7-9). We believe that Satan and his angels are persons. We deny that they are merely evil forces or purely the existence of evil (cf. Genesis 3:1 to Revelation 12:9 and 20:2; 1 Chronicles 21:1; Luke 4:3-13). The work of Satan and his angels is to distort divine truths (Genesis 3:1; Matthew 4:6; Luke 4:9-11) and to deceive people to cause them to fall and perpetuate in sin for their own eternal judgment and destruction (Job 1:6-2:10; John 8:44-45). We firmly affirm the spiritual warfare of this present age. Believers in Christ Jesus are currently in a continuous spiritual war, which will continue until the end of this present age (Ephesians 6:11-18; James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8-9). We affirm that the final and eternal destiny of Satan and his angels is the lake of fire and brimstone (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10).

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