By Dr. Ron Rhodes:
Are angels the spirits of departed humans?
No. Scripture teaches that Christ Himself created all the angels (Colossians 1:16; see also John 1:3). One moment, they didn’t exist. The next moment they did.
Humans and angels are seen to be distinct throughout Scripture. For example, Psalm 8:5 indicates that human beings were made lower than the angels, but shall be made higher in the afterlife (in heaven). In Hebrews 12:22-23 the “myriads of angels” are clearly distinguished from the “spirits of righteous men made perfect.” First Corinthians 6:3 tells us that there is a time coming when believers (in the afterlife) will actually judge over the angels. As well, First Corinthians 13:1 draws a distinction between the “tongues” (or languages) of human beings and those of angels. It is clear that angels and humans are different classes of beings.
Are angels the spirits of departed humans?
No. Scripture teaches that Christ Himself created all the angels (Colossians 1:16; see also John 1:3). One moment, they didn’t exist. The next moment they did.
Humans and angels are seen to be distinct throughout Scripture. For example, Psalm 8:5 indicates that human beings were made lower than the angels, but shall be made higher in the afterlife (in heaven). In Hebrews 12:22-23 the “myriads of angels” are clearly distinguished from the “spirits of righteous men made perfect.” First Corinthians 6:3 tells us that there is a time coming when believers (in the afterlife) will actually judge over the angels. As well, First Corinthians 13:1 draws a distinction between the “tongues” (or languages) of human beings and those of angels. It is clear that angels and humans are different classes of beings.
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