Doctrine of Angels & Demons

I believe that angels are real personal spiritual beings (Heb. 1:14) created by God (Neh. 9:6) for His glory (Col. 1:16-17). Angels are powerful (2 Pet. 2:11), immortal (Lk. 20:36), and glorious (Lk. 9:26), higher than humans in the creative order (Heb. 2:7) but inferior to Christ (Heb. 1:4) and are not to be worshiped (Col. 2:18; Rev. 19:10). Angels, vast in number (Heb. 12:22), are normally invisible (2 Kgs. 6:17) but at times appear in bodily form (Matt. 28:5; Heb. 13:2). They are emotional (Lk. 2:13), volitional (Jude 6), intelligent beings intrigued by the mystery of the gospel (1 Pet. 1:12). They are obedient to God’s commands (Ps. 103:20) and rejoice in God’s work of saving sinners (Lk. 15:10).

I believe that angels exist to minister worship to God (Isa. 6:3; Rev. 5:9-13), speak messages of God (Matt. 1:20; Acts 10:3-7), and execute judgments for God (Gen. 19:1, 13; Rev. 8:1-9:21). Angels ministered to Jesus during His incarnation (Matt. 4:11; Lk. 22:43) and will accompany Him at His return (Matt. 16:27). Angels are sent to minister to God’s people (Heb. 1:14), but Scripture does not teach the idea of personal guardian angels.

I believe that before creation, some angels rebelled against God (2 Pet. 2:4), were condemned forever (Mat. 25:41), and are not redeemable (Heb. 2:16). These fallen angels—demons—are real personal spiritual beings (Matt. 8:16) who know the truth about God (Ja. 2:19; Lk. 4:41) but oppose Him nonetheless (Eph. 6:11-12). Demons are evil (Lk. 7:21) unclean (Lk. 8:29) forces of wickedness (Eph. 6:12) that oppress (Mat. 8:16), harm (Lk. 13:11-16), possess (Matt. 9:32-33), and destroy (Mk. 5:2-5). Their mission is to keep unbelievers blind to the gospel (2 Cor. 4:4), hinder effective ministry (1 Thess. 2:18), and lead believers astray (1 Tim. 4:1). Satan—the devil—is the prince of demons (Matt. 12:24) and ruler of this world (Jn. 12:31). He is the great deceiver (Rev. 12:9), destroyer (1 Pet. 5:8), liar (Jn. 8:44), accuser (Rev. 12:10), and tempter (1 Cor. 7:5). Satan was once a holy angel (Ezek. 28:13-16), but in pride led the rebellion against God (Isa. 14:12-15). He and his followers were cast out of heaven forever (Rev. 12:3-4).

I believe that demonic power is limited by God's control (Job 1:12). Demons have been disarmed of power by the cross (Col. 2:13-15) and are damned forever (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10). Since Christians are no longer in the domain of darkness (Col. 1:13; Acts 26:18), demons have no authority in a believer’s life. Not even grievous sin gives demons legal right to invade and inhabit. However, a Christian can be influenced (Matt. 16:22-23), exploited (Acts 5:3), and deceived to believe that they are under demonic control. Christians must not fall prey to this deception (1 Pet. 5:8) and must push away evil by standing firm in God’s truth (Eph. 6:11). When demons are resisted by a believer submitted to God, they have no choice but to flee (Ja. 4:7). Christians, like Jesus, can boldly command, “Be gone, now!” (Matt. 4:10).