The Bible clearly differentiates between Christ and angels in the following:
1-Christ is the Creator whereas angels are created beings.
Paul wrote, “For in Him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers – all things have been created through Him and for Him (Colossians 1:16). The phrase “all things in heaven” includes the entire universe with all that is in it. Hebrews 1:2 says, “through whom also He made the worlds.”
2-Christ is superior than the angels.
In Hebrews 1:5-2:9, the writer emphasizes Christ as superior to the angels in every respect. Christ has been “appointed heir of all things … who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:2,3).
3-Christ has a more excellent name than the angels.
“Having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For to which of the angels did He ever say: “You are My Son, today I have begotten You”? And again: “I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son”?” (Hebrews 1:4,5).
With this inheritance He is also given “a name which is above every name” (Philippians 2:9). The angels were only called “ministering spirits” (Hebrews 1:13, 14); Jesus is uniquely the “Son” (John 3:16; Revelation 2:18; Psalm 2:7; ). It was with respect to the incarnation that the title “Son” became applicable (Luke 1:35).
4-Angels worship Christ as deity.
God commands angels to worship Christ, “And let all the angels of God worship Him” (Hebrews 1:6). The command to worship Christ affirms His deity. High as is the position of the angels, Christ is so much higher that they are commanded to worship Him. And we know that God only may be worshiped (Revelation 22:8, 9). Christ is therefore God.
And Christ accepts worship that according to the Ten Commandments is reserved only for the Almighty (Matthew 14:33). “And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, ‘All hail.’ And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him” (Matthew 28:9). By contrast, when John worshiped the angel, the latter rebuked him for he was not worthy of worship (Revelation 22:8,9).
5-Christ has life.
He has power to give life even to resurrect Himself and others. “No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again” (John 10:18). He declared, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” (John 11:25). And through Christ, eternal life is restored and given to man (Romans 5:12, 18; 6:23; John 10:10; 11:25; 14:6; 1 John 5:11).
6-Christ forgives and saves.
Christ says, “your sins are forgiven” (Luke 5:20, 21) and we know that only God can forgive sin (Isaiah 43:25). Man’s salvation and the whole plan of redemption are based on the deity of Christ. If Christ is not God in the highest sense and in His own right, our faith is in vain and salvation becomes impossible. Angels can’t forgive or save.
7-The Father calls Christ God.
The Father says, “But to the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom” (Hebrews 1:8). This may be considered the climax in the argument on the position and dignity of Christ in comparison to other beings.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
