Articles of Faith

We affirm all angels were created by God during the six literal days of creation (Job 38:4, 7; Genesis 1:1 Heaven(s); Colossians 1:16) as essentially spirit beings. Angels were created as God’s holy ministers to minister to and for Him. Lucifer was one of these angels who exalted himself to be equal with his creator falling from his intended purpose he became Satan. Satan convinced one-third of the angelic host to follow him becoming his demons. Having a sealed fate of eternal destruction, Satan and his host are the supreme enemy of God and all who would call upon Christ.

(Isaiah 14:12-21; Ezekiel 28:11-19)

Further, we affirm that angels do not normally possess physical bodies (Hebrews 1:14; Luke 24:39), but at times appear in physical form (Psalms 104:4) as men (Genesis 19:1-5; Mark 16:5; Luke 24:40).

Angels were created a little higher than man (Psalms 8:5), but lower than Christ (Hebrews 1:4) to be His holy (Mark 8:38) ministers who:

• are innumerable (Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 5:11);
• have great wisdom (2 Samuel 14:20; Matthew 28:5);
• possess power (Psalms 103:20; Ephesians 1:21);
• do not reproduce (Matthew 22:30),
• or die (Luke 20:36);
• were created as moral beings lower than God (Revelation 22:8-9);
• with the ability to choose to sin (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6);
• are servants which minister (1 Kings 19:5; Psalms 104:4; Matthew 4:11)
• to God (Isaiah 6:3; Psalms 103:20; 148:1-2; Revelation 11:12);
• to Christ (Matthew 4:11; Luke 22:43);
• to believers (Psalms 34:7; 91:11; Hebrews 1:14);
• to children (Matthew 18:10); and to
• deliver God’s messages (Daniel 8:16-17; Matthew 2:13; Mark 16:5; Acts 5:19-20).

There are several titles used in Scripture referring to angels:  host, creatures, throne, dominions, principalities, powers, and the sons of God.  One other phrase used is “the angel of the Lord” (Genesis 16:1-13; 18; 22:11-16; 31:11-13; Exodus 3:2-4; Judges 6:12-16).

We believe this is a reference to a Theophany (more specifically a Christophany – an appearance of Christ in the O.T.) for He accepts worship, sacrifice, and speaks with the authority of God Himself (Exodus 3:2-15; Joshua 5:13-15; Jude 6:19-24; 36-40; 13:16-20; Hosea 12:3-6).

We affirm Satan as with all the angels was created holy and with the purpose of serving God as the archangel Lucifer. Lucifer was exalted by God to protect the very glory of God (Isaiah 14:12; Ezekiel 28:14-16). Lucifer saw his given beauty (Ezekiel 28:17) lifted himself in pride became Satan, and in defiance to his creator, exalted himself to be equal with God and in sin fell (Ezekiel 28:12-19; Isaiah 14:12-16).  This made Satan the originator of sin (Genesis 3:1-6; John 8:44; 1 John 3:8) and the supreme enemy of God (1 Chronicles 21:1; Zachariah 3:1-2; Matthew 4:1-11), God’s angels (Jude 6; Revelation 12:7), Israel (Revelation 12:4, 12-17), the Church (Matthew 16:23), and believers (Ephesians 6:10-17; 2 Kings 6:17).

Satan led an open rebellion against God and persuaded one-third of the angelic host (becoming demons) to follow him in rebellion against God (Matthew 25:41; 2 Peter 2:4; Revelation 12:3-4), then came to earth and deceived Eve (Genesis 3:1-6).  In the end he will convince the nations to join him in a final rebellion against God (Revelation 20:7-9).  Meanwhile Satan actively pursued the destruction of Christ (Genesis 3:15; Revelation 12:3-6) and now Christians (1 Peter 5:8-9; John 8:4; 2 Corinthians 2:9-11; Ephesians 4:26-27).  Yet Satan and his hosts whose power is limited by God (Job 1:2; 2:6) is defeated through the finished blood work of Jesus Christ on the cross – the death, burial, and resurrection (Genesis 3:15; Colossians 2:14-15; Hebrews 2:14-15; 1 John 3:8; Revelation 20:2-3, 10).  Christians who are properly equipped in the power of the Spirit may resist any attack of Satan (James 4:6; Ephesians 6:10-18).