Topical Bible: Idolatry: Objects of Angels

◄ Idolatry: Objects of Angels ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, idolatry refers to the worship or veneration of anything other than the one true God. This includes the worship of angels, which is explicitly condemned in Scripture. Angels, as created beings, serve as messengers and servants of God, and any attempt to elevate them to objects of worship is considered idolatrous.

Biblical Prohibition Against Angel Worship

The Bible clearly warns against the worship of angels. In the Book of Colossians, the Apostle Paul addresses this issue directly: "Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you" (Colossians 2:18). This passage indicates that some early Christians were being misled into angel worship, which Paul categorically rejects as a deviation from true faith.

Angels as Servants of God

Throughout Scripture, angels are depicted as servants of God, carrying out His will and delivering His messages. In the Book of Revelation, when the Apostle John attempts to worship an angel, he is rebuked: "But he said to me, 'Do not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who rely on the testimony of Jesus. Worship God!'" (Revelation 19:10). This response underscores the proper role of angels as fellow servants, not objects of worship.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament also provides insight into the role of angels and the prohibition against their worship. In the Book of Exodus, God commands the Israelites, "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3). This commandment establishes the foundation for monotheistic worship, excluding any form of idolatry, including the veneration of angels.

Angelic Appearances and Human Reactions

When angels appear to humans in the Bible, their presence often evokes fear and awe. However, the appropriate response is not worship but reverence for God, whom the angels represent. For instance, when the angel of the Lord appears to the shepherds in the Gospel of Luke, the message is one of glorifying God: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests!" (Luke 2:14).

Theological Implications

The worship of angels detracts from the centrality of Christ and the worship due to God alone. Hebrews 1:6 emphasizes the superiority of Christ over angels: "And again, when God brings His firstborn into the world, He says: 'Let all God’s angels worship Him'" . This passage highlights that even angels are called to worship Christ, reinforcing the notion that worship is reserved for God alone.

Historical Context and Church Teachings

Throughout church history, various heretical movements have attempted to incorporate angel worship into Christian practice. The early church fathers, such as Augustine and Athanasius, strongly opposed these practices, affirming the biblical teaching that worship belongs to God alone. The Nicene Creed, a foundational statement of Christian faith, further solidifies the rejection of any form of idolatry, including the worship of angels.

In summary, the Bible consistently teaches that angels, while significant in God's plan, are not to be objects of worship. They are created beings who serve God and point humanity toward the worship of the one true God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Colossians 2:18
Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Spiritual Idolatry
... worshipped in the Church of Rome; whether angels, or the ... In a word, so many objects
as there are in ... in their hearts, so many species of idolatry they practise. ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 78 spiritual idolatry.htm

On Idolatry
... take the gods of foreign nations as objects of worship ... of the crime of the two-fold
idolatry which has ... Lord's supper, to the virgin Mary, to angels and departed ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 23 on idolatry.htm

The Chorus of Angels
... as the sun beautifies and gilds the objects he shines ... receiving the homage and adoration
of angels and men. ... would have a direct tendency to promote idolatry. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xlix the chorus of.htm

Persecution in the First Centuries.
... Looking upward by faith, they saw Christ and angels leaning over ... the church, they
still clung to their idolatry, only changing the objects of their ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /2 persecution in the first.htm

Persecution in the First Centuries
... Looking upward by faith, they saw Christ and angels leaning over ... the church, they
still clung to their idolatry, only changing the objects of their ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 2 persecution in the.htm

Select Works and Letters or Athanasius
... The various developments of idolatry: worship of ... bodies, the elements, natural objects,
fabulous creatures ... of supernatural communications to men through angels. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/

The Clementine Homilies
... Chapter XIII.--The Fall of the Angels. Chapter XIV.--Their Discoveries. ... Chapter
VI.--Why God Suffers Objects of Idolatry to Subsist. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the clementine homilies/

The Danger of Deviating from Divine Institutions.
... Adoration offered to other than God, is idolatry. This is of two kinds"that offered
to angels, and departed ... to impress a reverence for the objects of worship ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxviii the danger of.htm

False Brethren and False Principles in the Church: Spirit and ...
... upon all who assisted in the fabrication of these objects of the heathen idolatry. ...
was required to renounce "the devil, his pomp, and his angels" [321:2 ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter iii false brethren and.htm

The People among whom we Labour (Continued).
... have stated the arguments by which that idolatry is defended ... it is fitting that to
these objects special honour ... we should rise to the excellence of angels if we ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter xxix the people among.htm