(Extracts of Francis Turretin, explained in modern English)
Many people throughout church history believed that angels help believers by praying for them before God. Some also prayed to angels, asking for protection, guidance, or help.
Francis Turretin carefully examined these ideas using Scripture. He asked two important questions:
Do angels intercede for believers?
Should Christians worship angels or pray to them?
Turretin answered these questions with balance. He honored angels as holy servants of God, but he firmly denied that Christians should worship them or call upon them in prayer.
The Bible clearly teaches that angels serve God and help believers.
“Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” — Hebrews 1:14
God uses angels to:
protect His people,
carry out His commands,
strengthen believers,
and execute His judgments.
Examples:
An angel protected Daniel in the lions’ den (Daniel 6:22).
Angels ministered to Christ after His temptation (Matthew 4:11).
An angel strengthened Christ in Gethsemane (Luke 22:43).
Angels rejoice over repentant sinners (Luke 15:10).
So Turretin says we should neither despise angels nor invent false ideas about them. Scripture teaches that they are real servants of God, actively involved in God’s providence.
Turretin makes an important distinction.
Angels may be said to “intercede” in a general sense because they lovingly desire the good of God’s people.
Since angels are holy and full of love, they rejoice in the salvation of believers and may present praises before God.
For example:
“And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer… and the smoke of the incense… ascended up before God.” — Revelation 8:3–4
Some understand this symbolically as angels being connected with the prayers of the saints.
But Turretin warns us not to go beyond Scripture.
The Bible never clearly says that angels act as mediators between God and man the way Christ does.
Angels do not intercede as mediators of redemption.
Only Christ can do that.
Scripture says:
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” — 1 Timothy 2:5
Christ alone:
died for sins,
reconciled us to God,
appears before the Father on our behalf,
and continually intercedes for His people.
“He ever liveth to make intercession for them.” — Hebrews 7:25
Angels did not shed their blood for sinners.
Angels are
creatures, not redeemers.
Angels cannot remove guilt or obtain
forgiveness.
Therefore, to give angels the role of mediators is to diminish the unique glory of Christ.
Turretin insists that Christ’s priesthood is perfect and sufficient. Nothing needs to be added to it.
Turretin strongly answers: No.
The Bible never commands believers to pray to angels.
We are taught instead to pray:
to the Father,
through the Son,
by the Holy Spirit.
“Through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” — Ephesians 2:18
Prayer is an act of worship.
And worship belongs to God
alone.
Turretin gives several careful reasons.
The first commandment says:
“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” — Exodus 20:3
And Christ said:
“Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” — Matthew 4:10
Religious worship belongs only to the Creator, never to creatures.
Even holy angels refuse worship.
When the apostle John fell before an angel, the angel stopped him.
“See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant… worship God.” — Revelation 22:8–9
This is very important.
If angels refuse worship in heaven, Christians should not offer it on earth.
Turretin argues that worship without God’s command is dangerous.
The Bible contains many prayers directed to God, but none directed to angels.
True worship must be based on God’s revealed will, not human imagination or tradition.
God alone is omniscient.
Only God can hear millions of prayers at the same time and know the thoughts of every heart.
“Thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men.” — 1 Kings 8:39
Angels are finite creatures.
They do not possess divine
attributes.
Therefore, praying to angels wrongly gives them abilities that belong to God alone.
The apostle Paul warned against this error.
“Let no man beguile you… in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels.” — Colossians 2:18
Turretin says people are often tempted to seek lesser mediators because they feel unworthy to approach God directly.
But this thinking dishonors Christ.
Christ Himself invites sinners to come boldly to God through Him.
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace.” — Hebrews 4:16
Believers do not need another mediator beside Christ.
Turretin encourages believers to have a balanced understanding.
We should:
honor angels as holy servants of God,
thank God for their ministry,
admire their obedience and purity,
and imitate their joyful service to God.
But we must never:
worship them,
pray to them,
trust in them,
or give them the glory that belongs only to God.
The believer’s confidence must rest entirely in Christ.
Serve God faithfully
Protect and minister to believers
Rejoice in salvation
Carry out God’s commands
Redeem sinners
Replace Christ as mediator
Receive worship
Hear prayers as God does
Christ alone is the Mediator between God and man.
Mediator: God Mediator One Mediator: 1 Godand1 Mediator(1 Timothy 2:5)
Because of Christ’s perfect intercession, believers may come directly to God with confidence, without praying to angels or any other creature.
“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.” — Hebrews 10:19