Extracts of Francis Turretin
The Bible teaches that angels are real spiritual beings created by God. They are not imaginary, nor are they merely symbols of good thoughts or invisible forces. God created angels to serve Him, worship Him, and carry out His will in heaven and on earth.
The ministry of angels is important in Scripture, but many errors arise when people either ignore angels completely or give them too much honor. Some worship angels, pray to them, or imagine them to have powers that belong only to God. Others deny their activity altogether.
The safest path is to believe what Scripture teaches: angels are servants of God who minister according to His command for the good of His people and the glory of His name.
Angels are spiritual creatures created by God.
“Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire.” — Psalm 104:4
They do not possess physical bodies by nature as humans do, though at times they appeared visibly in Scripture when God sent them with a special purpose.
They are:
intelligent beings,
morally accountable,
powerful compared to men,
yet still finite creatures under God’s authority.
Angels are not eternal. Only God is eternal.
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” — Genesis 1:1
This includes the invisible heavenly hosts.
“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible…” — Colossians 1:16
Therefore angels must never be worshiped.
When the apostle John fell before an angel, the angel rebuked him:
“See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant… worship God.” — Revelation 22:9
Scripture speaks of:
cherubim,
seraphim,
archangels,
thrones,
dominions,
principalities,
and powers.
These terms likely describe different ranks or functions among angels.
Yet Scripture does not satisfy human curiosity about the exact order of angels. God revealed only what is useful for our faith and obedience.
Many people speculate excessively about angels, but Scripture calls us to sobriety and humility.
“The secret things belong unto the LORD our God.” — Deuteronomy 29:29
Not all angels remained holy.
Some rebelled against God under Satan.
“God spared not the angels that sinned…” — 2 Peter 2:4
These fallen angels became demons, enemies of God and man.
But the elect angels remained faithful by the grace of God.
“I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels…” — 1 Timothy 5:21
This teaches that even the holiness of angels depended upon God’s preserving grace.
Good angels are confirmed in holiness and now perfectly obey God continually.
The first work of angels is not toward man, but toward God.
They continually:
worship Him,
adore His holiness,
delight in His will,
and stand ready to obey His commands.
“Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts.” — Isaiah 6:3
“Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments.” — Psalm 103:20
The glory of God is the highest purpose of angels, just as it should be the highest purpose of man.
God uses angels as servants for the good of His people.
“Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” — Hebrews 1:14
This ministry includes many things.
God often uses angels to protect believers from danger.
Examples:
An angel shut the mouths of the lions for Daniel (Daniel 6:22).
Angels protected Elisha (2 Kings 6:17).
An angel delivered Peter from prison (Acts 12:7–11).
Psalm 91 says:
“He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” — Psalm 91:11
This does not mean believers will never suffer. Many saints were persecuted and killed. But it means nothing can happen apart from God’s wise decree, and angels are often instruments of His providential care.
Angels sometimes guided God’s servants in Scripture.
An angel directed Philip toward the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8).
Cornelius received angelic instruction (Acts 10).
Still, believers today are guided primarily through:
Scripture,
the Holy Spirit,
prayer,
and God’s providence.
We should not seek visions or angelic revelations outside the Word of God.
“To the law and to the testimony…” — Isaiah 8:20
Angels strengthened God’s servants in times of distress.
Elijah was strengthened by an angel in the wilderness (1 Kings 19:5–7).
Our Lord Jesus in His humanity was ministered unto by angels after His temptation.
“Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.” — Matthew 4:11
This shows God’s tender care toward His people.
Angels rejoice when sinners repent.
“There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” — Luke 15:10
They marvel at God’s work of redemption.
“Which things the angels desire to look into.” — 1 Peter 1:12
The salvation of sinners displays the wisdom, mercy, and grace of God even to heavenly beings.
One of Turretin’s major concerns was protecting the unique glory of Christ.
The Bible never teaches believers to:
pray to angels,
trust in angels,
or seek angels as mediators.
There is only one Mediator between God and man:
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” — 1 Timothy 2:5
Angels serve believers, but they do not redeem believers.
Christ alone:
died for sin,
intercedes for His people,
and reconciles us to God.
Therefore the worship or invocation of angels is sinful because it steals honor from Christ.
Angels are wise, but not all-knowing.
They do not possess God’s infinite knowledge.
Jesus said concerning the day of judgment:
“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven…” — Matthew 24:36
Angels learn from God’s works in history. They observe His wisdom in redemption and providence.
Thus angels remain dependent creatures.
Holy angels obey immediately and joyfully.
They never complain against God’s commands.
Believers should imitate:
their reverence,
readiness,
purity,
and delight in serving God.
When we pray, “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10), we ask that our obedience would resemble the willing obedience of angels.
A major teaching of Scripture is that Christ infinitely surpasses angels.
The Son of God created angels.
“By him were all things created…” — Colossians 1:16
Angels worship Christ.
“Let all the angels of God worship him.” — Hebrews 1:6
Christ did not become an angel to save angels. He became man to redeem sinners.
“For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.” — Hebrews 2:16
Thus believers united to Christ possess a dignity higher than the angels in certain respects because they are redeemed by the blood of the Son of God.
The doctrine of angels should produce:
reverence toward God,
comfort for believers,
caution against superstition,
and greater admiration for Christ.
Angels are mighty servants, but they are still servants.
God alone is to be worshiped.
Christ alone is the Redeemer.
The ministry of angels reveals the wisdom and care of God, who governs heaven and earth and commands innumerable heavenly hosts for the accomplishment of His holy purposes.
“The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.” — Psalm 34:7