Topical Bible: Angel (Holy Trinity): One of the Holy Trinity: Called Angel of God

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In Christian theology, the concept of the Holy Trinity is foundational, comprising God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Within this framework, the term "Angel of God" is often associated with the pre-incarnate appearances of God the Son, Jesus Christ, in the Old Testament. This understanding is rooted in the belief that certain angelic appearances in the Hebrew Scriptures are manifestations of the second person of the Trinity.

The term "Angel of God" or "Angel of the LORD" is used in various passages to describe a divine messenger who possesses attributes and authority that go beyond those of created angels. This figure often speaks as God Himself, receives worship, and performs divine acts, suggesting a unique identity within the Godhead.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 16:7-13: The Angel of the LORD appears to Hagar in the wilderness, providing guidance and promises. Hagar recognizes this figure as God, saying, "You are the God who sees me" (Genesis 16:13).

2. Exodus 3:2-6: The Angel of the LORD appears to Moses in the burning bush. The text transitions from describing the Angel to God speaking directly, indicating a divine presence: "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob" (Exodus 3:6).

3. Judges 6:11-24: The Angel of the LORD appears to Gideon, commissioning him to save Israel. Gideon perceives this encounter as seeing God face to face, prompting him to build an altar to the LORD (Judges 6:22-24).

4. Zechariah 3:1-2: The Angel of the LORD stands as an advocate for Joshua the high priest, rebuking Satan. This passage highlights the Angel's authority and role in divine judgment and intercession.

Theological Significance:

The identification of the Angel of God with the pre-incarnate Christ is significant for several reasons:

- Christophany: These appearances are seen as Christophanies, or pre-incarnate manifestations of Christ, revealing His active presence and work throughout salvation history.

- Continuity of Revelation: The Angel of the LORD serves as a bridge between the Old and New Testaments, demonstrating the continuity of God's redemptive plan through the consistent presence of the Son.

- Divine Authority: The authority and attributes displayed by the Angel of God affirm the deity of Christ, as He exercises divine prerogatives and receives worship.

In conclusion, the Angel of God, as understood within the context of the Holy Trinity, represents the pre-incarnate Christ, actively participating in the divine mission and revealing God's presence and purpose throughout the Old Testament narrative. This understanding enriches the Christian appreciation of the unity and diversity within the Godhead, as well as the eternal role of the Son in the work of redemption.

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Exodus 14:19
And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:
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Judges 13:6
Then the woman came and told her husband, saying, A man of God came to me, and his countenance was like the countenance of an angel of God, very terrible: but I asked him not from where he was, neither told he me his name:
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1 Samuel 29:9
And Achish answered and said to David, I know that you are good in my sight, as an angel of God: notwithstanding the princes of the Philistines have said, He shall not go up with us to the battle.
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2 Samuel 14:17,20
Then your handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the LORD your God will be with you.
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2 Samuel 19:27
And he has slandered your servant to my lord the king; but my lord the king is as an angel of God: do therefore what is good in your eyes.
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Acts 27:23
For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
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Galatians 4:14
And my temptation which was in my flesh you despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
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Library

The Appearance in the Bush.
... whether any person, and not rather that of the Trinity itself ... in human ears, and
to be called the Angel of the ... the Father, but either the Son or the Holy Spirit ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 13 the appearance in the.htm

Argument. --It is Proved from the Scriptures that Christ was ...
A Treatise of Novatian Concerning the Trinity. ... Yet It is Shown from Other Parts of
Holy Scripture that ... angel be inferior to Christ, and yet an angel is called ...
/.../chapter xx argument it is proved.htm

How Difficult it is to Demonstrate the Trinity by Natural Reason.
... itself, or of the Father, or Son, or Holy Spirit, either ... that Trinity, where or how
shall the Trinity manifest itself ... If man or angel ceases to be good, or wise ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 5 how difficult it is.htm

A Treatise of Novatian Concerning the Trinity
... A Treatise of Novatian Concerning the Trinity Novatian. ... from the Scriptures that
Christ Was Called an Angel. ... It is Shown from Other Parts of Holy Scripture that ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/novatian/a treatise of novatian concerning the trinity/

The Proof of the Foregoing the Trinity of Persons in one God...
... In the Gospel of Luke the angel Gabriel thus ... taught that there are three persons
in one only divine ... This doctrine of the Holy Trinity has always been affirmed ...
/.../various/the belgic confession /article ix the proof of.htm

Of True Love, by which we Arrive at the Knowledge of the Trinity. ...
... in this inquiry, which we make concerning the Trinity and concerning ... through devotion,
to be that which an angel is. For no holy being rejoices in his own power ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 7 of true love by.htm

The Essence of God Never Appeared in Itself. Divine Appearances to ...
On the Holy Trinity. ... In like manner also, when the holy prophet speaks, although
we say, The ... And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 11 the essence of god.htm

The Holy Spirit -56 and the Church (57-60)
... the temple of God"-that is, of the supreme Trinity as a whole"is holy Church, the ...
as it is written in the book of the Prophets: "And the angel that spoke ...
/.../augustine/handbook on faith hope and love/chapter xv the holy spirit.htm

How it was Brought About that the Greeks Speak of Three Hypostases ...
... whether the Father, or the Son, or the Holy Spirit ... and cattle, and tree, and
constellation, and angel, are called ... on account of the unity of the Trinity, why ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 4 how it was brought.htm

The Trinity.
... Jesus Christ, the second person in the trinity, is also called ... An angel of the Lord
appeared to Joseph in a dream before the nativity of the holy child and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter xv the trinity.htm