A Firm Foundation. A Scriptural Study of 40 Major Doctrines of the Christian Faith. Charles P. Schmitt, D. Min., D.D.

Transcription

1 Charles P. Schmitt, D. Min., D.D. How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in His excellent Word! What more can He say than to you He hath said, to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled? George Keith Revised Edition A Scriptural Study of 40 Major Doctrines of the Christian Faith

2 My sincere thanks to Susan Evans, Karen McIver, Linda McSwain, Janet Nicholas, Pirkko O Clock and Carol Wilkinson for their essential input into this book. They share in its rewards. Charles P. Schmitt Revised Copyright 2005 Charles Schmitt All rights reserved. This book is protected by the copyright laws of the United States of America. This book may not be copied or reprinted for commercial gain or profit. The use of quotations or occasional page copying for personal or group study is permitted. Biblical quotations are from the New International Version, unless otherwise indicated.

3 Q A Who are angels? Angels are presented to us in the Scriptures in seven aspects. Angels: Their Origins and Purpose Lesson 1. Angels are created beings. Colossians 1:16 declares: For by [Jesus] all things were created: things in heaven and on earth... whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities: all things were created by Him and for Him. Angels, as created beings, are neither omnipresent nor omniscient, for Jesus declared: No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven... (Matthew 24:36). Also angels are not omnipotent. Gabriel stated: The Prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twentyone days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes came to help me... (Daniel 10:13). Though not almighty, angels are called powerful ( mighty, KJV) in 2 Thessalonians 1:7. Also, angels, as created beings, are immortal spirits, they cannot die (Luke 20:36). 8

4 2. Angels are spirit beings. Hebrews 1:14 tells us: Are not all angels ministering spirits? And, according to Jesus, a spirit does not have flesh and bones (Luke 24:39, KJV). Angels, however, can appear and be seen. Mark 16:5 tells us: As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe.... This being was an angel. Acts 1:10 tells us: Two men dressed in white stood beside them. These were angels. Though angels invariably appear as men, Mark 12:25 states that angels will neither marry nor be given in marriage. It is, therefore, not possible that in Genesis 6:2 the sons of God, who saw that the daughters of men were beautiful and they married any of them they chose, were angels. More than likely these sons of God were the godly line of Seth (Genesis 4:25-26) and the daughters of men were the ungodly line of Cain. 3. Angels are messengers. The Hebrew word for messenger (malak) is used 114 times of angels. The Greek word for messenger (angelos) is used 169 times of angels. Angels often bring the message of God to His servants (Revelation 1:1). 4. Angels are creatures of joy, for at creation all the angels shouted for joy (Job 38:7), at Bethlehem the angel said to them... I bring you good news of great joy... (Luke 2:10), at a salvation there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:10) and in heaven there are thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly (Hebrews 12:22). 5. Angels are numerous. At Sinai, God came with myriads [ ten thousands, KJV] of holy ones (Deuteronomy 33:2). In heaven, thousands upon thousands attended [God], ten thousand times ten thousand [one hundred million] stood before Him (Daniel 7:10). Revelation 5:11 reiterates that in heaven there are many angels numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand [one hundred million] around the Throne of God! 6. Angels are a heavenly army. Jesus could have had more than twelve legions of angels at His disposal (a legion is 6,000 soldiers; hence, Jesus could have had more than 72,000 angels to help Him! Matthew 26:53). And Joshua 5:14 15 describes one angel as the commander of the LORD s army ; this may have been the pre-incarnate Son of God. Over 300 times in the Old Testament God is called Jehovah of Hosts, the hosts being hosts of angels in battle array! 7. Angels are God s heavenly council, for Psalm 82:1 tells us that God presides in the great assembly... and Psalm 89:6 7 tells us that in the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; He is more awesome than all who surround Him. Lesson 8 2 Q A How do angels function? Angels function in a heavenly hierarchy. 1. Paul, in Colossians 1:16, speaks of thrones... powers... rulers... and authorities. These are angels arrayed in a heavenly hierarchy. The highest of

5 angels are called archangels, from arche meaning first. Jesus will return, with the voice of the archangel (1 Thessalonians 4:16). The only archangel to be specifically named in Scripture is the archangel Michael (Jude 9). He is also called the great prince in Daniel 12:1 and one of the chief princes in Daniel 10:13. Revelation 12:7 refers to Michael and his angels. (The apocryphal writing, Tobit 12:15, mentions seven holy angels. ) Gabriel is the only other angel listed by a personal name in the Holy Scriptures, though not called an archangel as such. Gabriel...came to me, Daniel records (9:21; 8:16). Gabriel likewise appeared to Zechariah, John the Baptist s father and declared: I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God... (Luke 1:19). Luke 1:26 also tells us that God sent the angel Gabriel... to a virgin... named Mary. In all these instances, Gabriel came as the messenger of God. 2. There is a category of august angels called seraphim, which means the burning ones. They are spoken of only in Isaiah 6:2 and 6 where they are described as having six wings. They are also described as stationed above the Throne of God (all other angels are described as beneath His Throne). They are exalted worshippers, calling to one another: Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty (Isaiah 6:3). The four living creatures of Revelation, chapter 4 also had six wings, which may indicate that they are seraphim, crying out Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty. 3. There is yet another category of angels called cherubim from a Hebrew word meaning grasped or held fast. There are over 90 references to cherubim in the Old Testament and one in the New Testament. They are spoken of as having two wings. They are presented as guardians of the holy things, which may be where their name, grasped or held fast, comes from. They are first mentioned in Genesis 3:24 where they guard [hold fast] the way to the tree of life. In Exodus 25:18 22 they guard [hold fast] the Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy Seat (see also 1 Kings 6:23-35 and 2 Chronicles 3:7-14). Cherubim are also bearers or carriers of the mobile Throne of God according to Ezekiel, chapter 1. (These beings are called cherubim in Ezekiel 10:15). They bear the faces of a man, a lion, an ox and an eagle. Psalm 18:10 describes God as having mounted the cherubim... He soared on the wings of the wind. According to 1 Chronicles 28:18, the golden cherubim over the Ark of the Covenant are called the Chariot, that is the cherubim of gold that spread their wings and shelter the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord. Theologian J. Rod Williams writes of them: Between them He speaks, upon them He rides, above them He is enthroned in majesty and glory. Q A What purposes of God do angels serve? Angels serve the purposes of God in four main ways. 1. Angels praise and worship God. Psalm 103:20 exclaims: Praise the LORD, you His angels, you mighty ones who do His bidding, who obey His Word. Psalm Lesson 8 3

6 148:2 likewise exclaims: Praise Him, all His angels, praise Him, all His heavenly hosts. (See also Revelation 4:8 9; 5:11 12; 7:11 12.) 2. Angels communicate the message of God. Acts 7:53 and Galatians 3:19 declare, The Law was put into effect through angels ; Hebrews 2:2 states the law was a message spoken by angels. And according to Daniel 8:16 and 9:23, the angel Gabriel came to explain the holy vision to Daniel. In Luke, chapter 1 the angel Gabriel brought God s message to both Zechariah and Mary; in Luke, chapter 2 an angel of the Lord announced the good news of Jesus birth. Matthew 28:6 tells how an angel of the Lord proclaimed the resurrection of Jesus: He is not here; He has risen.... And Revelation 1:1 tells us that the message of the Book of Revelation came from God to Jesus, who then made it known by sending His angel to His servant John. 3. Angels minister to God s people. Hebrews 1:14 declares, Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? Angels give protection and direction See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared (Exodus 23:20). He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone (Psalm 91:11 12, see also Psalm 34:7; Daniel 6:22). Angels also give strength (Matthew 4:11; Luke 22:43) an angel from heaven... strengthened Him. Angels likewise deliver God s people. Acts 5:19 tells us that during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. Finally, angels are assigned to children. Matthew 18:10 states that their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father. Angels are also apparently assigned to God s saints for Acts 12:15 states, It must be [Peter s] angel ; and also to minister to the people of God collectively (Daniel 12:1; Revelation 2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14). Expect the unexpected: Do not forget to entertain strangers for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it (Hebrews 13:2). Lesson Angels execute the judgments of God. In 1 Chronicles 21:15 we see that because of David s sin God dispatched an angel to destroy Jerusalem ; in 2 Kings 19:35 we see where the angel of the LORD put to death 185,000 men in the Assyrian camp ; and in Acts 12:23 we see where an angel of the Lord struck [Herod] down.... Matthew 13:41 also tells us that the Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will weed out of His kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil ; and 2 Thessalonians 1:7 8 tells us that the Lord Jesus [will be] revealed from heaven in blazing fire with His powerful angels [to] punish those who do not know God and do not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus.

7 Q A Who is the angel of the LORD? We believe the angel of the LORD to be Christ. The angel of the LORD is described in passages such as Genesis 16:11, 13; Exodus 3:2, 6; and Judges 6:11, 14, making it plain that the angel of the LORD is none other than the LORD, Jehovah, Himself a pre-incarnate manifestation of Jesus: The Lord appearing in angelic form (J. Rodman Williams). The definite article the, in the expression the angel of the Lord, appears in the Old Testament; in the New Testament (after the incarnation), as already noted, the expression used is an angel of the Lord (Matthew 28:2). A WARNING In the light of all that angels are and all that they do, we have no New Testament warrant to pray to them. And in Colossians 2:18 the worship [adoration] of angels is expressly forbidden. Also, serious error has come to some who were deceived by receiving revelation from an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). Mohammed received the Qur an, allegedly from the mouth of Gabriel, and Joseph Smith received the Book of Mormon allegedly through instructions given by the angel Moroni. SUMMARY Angels are created spirit beings; they are messengers, creatures of joy. Angels are also numerous a heavenly army, God s heavenly council. And we rejoice in their ministry to praise and worship God, to communicate the message of God to men, to minister to God s people and to execute the judgments of God against the ungodly. PRAYER Father, I thank You for the ministry of Your holy angels! I thank You that they are sent by You for the benefit and protection of Your people! Thank You, Lord, for this wonderful and vital part of Your provision for us! In Jesus name. Amen. Lesson 8 5

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9 Bleich, Robert. Foundations of Theology. Spanaway, WA: Ekklesia, (undated). Bube, Richard H. To Every Man An Answer. Chicago, IL: Moody Press, Burtner, Robert W. John Wesley s Theology. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1982 (1954). Bibliography Calvin, John. Institutes of the Christian Religion. Louisville, KY: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1989 (1500s). Charnock, Stephen. The Existence and Attribute of God. Vols. I, II. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1996 (1853). Catechism of the Catholic Church. New York, NY: Doubleday, 1995.

10 Finney, Charles. Finney s Systematic Theology. Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House Publishers, 1994 ( ). Fletcher, John. Checks to Antinomianism. Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press, Geisler, Normal L. Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, House, Wayne H. Charts of Christian Theology & Doctrine. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, Luther s Catechism (Joseph Stump). Philadelphia, PA: The United Lutheran Publication House, McDowell, Josh. Evidence That Demands A Verdict, Vols. I, II. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1972, Mickey, Paul A. Essentials of Wesleyan Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, Murray, Andrew. God s Will Our Dwelling Place. Springdale, PA: Whitaker House, Owen, John, The Death of Death in the Death of Christ. Edinburgh, Scotland: The Banner of Trust Trust, 1967 (1852). Palmer, Edwin H. The Five Points of Calvinism. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, Pink, Arthur W. The Attributes of God. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, Pinnock, Clark H. A Wideness in God s Mercy. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, Pollock, John. John Wesley, Servant of God. Wheaton, IL: Scripture Press/Victor Books, Prince, Derek. The Spirit-Filled Believer s Handbook. Orlando, FL: Creation House, Richardson, Alan. A Theological Word Book of the Bible. New York, NY: The Macmillam Company, Bibliography 2 Schmitt, Charles. Floods Upon the Dry Ground. Shippensburg, PA: Destiny Image, 1998.

11 Seventh-Day Advents Believe: A Biblical Exposition of 27 Fundamental Doctrines. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, The Documents of Vatican II. New York, NY: Guild Press, The Heidelberg Catechism. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Erdmans Publishing Co., The NIV Study Bible: New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Bible Publishers, The Truth That Leads To Eternal Life. Brooklyn, NY: WATCHTOWER Bible and Tract Society, Tozer, A.W. The Knowledge of the Holy. Lincoln, NE: Back to the Bible, 1961 (Harper & Row edition). Wesley, John. Sermons, Volume I. New York, NY: Eaton and Mains, Williams, Colin W. John Wesley s Theology Today. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, MCMLX. Williams, J. Rodman. Renewal Theology (Vols. I, II, III). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1996 (1988, 1990, 1992). Bibliography 3