Despite the "givens" in the Scripture, (1) we never worship them and (2) we never, ever invoke or pray to them; rather, we pray ONLY to and in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Pope Leo XIII, 1888, offered prayer "to" Michael." Hydra-headed Tractarians, ever-puffed up between the ears, do as well. However, old school Prayer Book and Reformed Anglicans do not, not now, not ever, do such "abominations." There is a very explicit, regulated and regulating practice in the Book of Common Prayer; Mr. (Canterbury) Cranmer very often uses the phrase, "Our One and Only Advocate and Mediator." Bye, bye Tractaholics and that one abominable stream in the three streams of the Anglican Church of North America. Be off and good riddance! Yet, a review of the "givens." This much, our Triune God has wonderfully created these moral agents and has wonderfully and graciously provided for His covenanted people. We go as Scripture allows and no further.
Saint Michael and all Angels.
The Collect.
O EVERLASTING God, who hast ordained and constituted the services of Angels and men in a wonderful order; Mercifully grant, that as thy holy Angels alway do thee service in heaven, so by thy appointment they may succour and defend us on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Angels:
Desultory notes and musings:
1. Innumerable (housands upon untold thousands)
2. Intelligent
3. Moral agents
4. Not ordinarily visible but have, variously, appeared to humans (Gen. 18.2-19.22; Jn. 20.36,36)
5. Move from one finite, specific place to another finite, specific place
6. Probation, like humans. Some angels were “elect and holy” and other fell; they were confirmed in their status
7. Heaven is their dwelling (Mt. 18.10; 22.30; Rev. 5.11)
8. Offer constant worship (Ps. 103. 20, 21; 148.2)
9. Go out at God’s command to serve God’s people (Heb.1. 14)
10. Again, there is “election” of “holy” angels (Mt. 25.31; Mk. 8.38; Lk. 9.26; Acts 10.22; 1 Tim. 5.21; Rev. 14.10)
11. Protect believers (Ps. 34.7; 91.11)
12. Protect, especially, little believers and children (Mt. 18.10)
13. Constantly watch the church (1 Cor. 11.10)
14. Special ministry indicated with the death of saints (Lk. 16.22)
15. Despite what is given in the Scripture, we never worship them and we never invoke or pray to them; rather, we pray ONLY to and in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.
16. The Angel of the LORD is often identified as God and yet, like Jn. 1.1ff, distinguished from God. (Gen. 16.7-13; 18.1-33; 22.11-18; 24. 7, 40; 31.11-13; 32.24-30; 48. 15-16; Ex. 3.2-6; 14.19; 23.30-23; 32.34-33.5; Num. 22.22-35; Josh. 5.13-15; Judg. 2.1-5; 6.11-23; 9.13-23
17. The Angel of the LORD is God’s special Messenger. He is often viewed as the “Pre-incarnate appearance of God the Son.” That is this scribe’s view amongst many Churchmen in the Catholic (=Reformed and Reformational, the true continuing Catholic) faith.
18. Angels appear at all major turning points in redemptive history: Creation, Patriarchs, Exodus, Sinai, Exile, Restoration from Exile, and the Birth, Resurrection and Ascension of God the Son. Angels will appear in glory at the Second Coming.
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