CHAPTER 13. Why St. Paul associates the angels with the
ST. BASIL THE GREAT
tion of baptism is faith, and both are fulfilled through the same names. First we believe in the Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit; then we are baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The profession of faith leads us to salvation, and then baptism follows, sealing our affirmation.
CHAPTER 13. Why St. Paul associates the angels with the Father and the Son.
29.
Someone might object that beings occasionally listed with the Father and the Son are not always glorified together with them. For example, St. Paul associates the angels with them in his charge to Timothy: "In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels
I charge you..." **° We do not separate the angels from the rest of creation, nor would we permit them to be numbered with the Father and the Son, so why should we understand the Spirit any differently? This argument is so ridiculous it does not even deserve a reply, but I answer as follows: Perhaps one's fellow-slave (i.e. an angel) could testify to a mild and gentle judge — especially to Him who is so fair to those arraigned before Him, showing them that His decisions are undeniably righteous. But if a slave is to be made free, and called a son of God, and brought from death into life, it can only be accomplished by Him who shares our nature and delivers it from slavery. How could we be joined to God's household by someone who does not share our nature? How could we be freed by someone who bears the yoke of a servant? One does not speak of the Spirit and of angels as if they were equals;
WOT Tim. S28.
ON THE HOLY SPIRIT
the Spirit is the Lord of life and the angels are our helpers, our fellow-servants, faithful witnesses of the truth. It is customary for the saints to deliver God's commandments in the presence of witnesses. St. Paul says to Timothy:
"... What you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men." "* He asks the angels to testify with him, because he knows that angels will be present when the Lord comes in the glory of His Father to judge the world in righteousness. The Lord says, "Everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, but he who denies me before men, will be denied before the angels of God."
Paul says in another place, "when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels." ** He testifies before the angels now, so that they will testify for him on the great day of judgement.
30.
Paul is not alone in this; generally all those who have been entrusted with the ministry of the word never cease asking for witnesses. They call upon heaven and earth to testify on their behalf, since every deed is accomplished in the presence of the earth and the skies, and they will also be present on that day when every man will be judged according to his works. For this reason
Scripture says, "He calls to the heavens above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people." "* After Moses had proclaimed the law to the people, he said, "I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day," ** and he begins his song as follows: "Give ear O heavens, and I will speak; and let the earth hear the words of my mouth."
Isaiah says: "Hear, O heaven, and give ear, O earth," and Jeremiah describes how the heavens were horrified
141 TT Tim. 2:2.
198 Ps 5024:
148 Deut. 32:1.
1427 k, 12:8-9.
14 Deut. 4:26.
447 Ts) 32, 143 TT Thess. 1:7.