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Do Angels Sing?

By December 1, 1988November 9th, 2022No Comments

Q.

Do angels sing?

A.
You are probably asking this question because we associate the angelic announcement to the shepherds with a heavenly chorus, when Luke 2:13 in contrast reads, “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying. . . .“ However, a study of the word “saying” here would seem to indicate that it doesn’t have to mean speaking rather than singing.

On the other hand, it is a good reminder to us to avoid getting our theology from the hymnal (when it does not harmonize with the Word of God). Some of our Christmas carols, unfortunately, do contain some theological error.

Incidentally, this passage is used by the world at this season to indicate that God wants to bring some peace to all people, and of course the world has its own ideas of what peace is—such as absence of war among nations. But the verse does not actually say “on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Rather, it is saying, “peace among men with whom He is pleased.” Peace is not for a selfish, sin-bent world that does not turn to Christ; rather, it is for those who know Him and those who come to know Him through faith. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom 5:1).

This article appeared in the “Q & A” column of the Baptist Bulletin (December 1988) by Norman A. Olson. 

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