CHRIST AS AN ANGEL BEFORE NICEA
NOVATION (circa. 210–280 C.E.): “...the imitator[5183] of His Father’s works and powers, “the image of the invisible God;”[5184] “who came down from heaven;”[5185] who testified what things he had seen and heard; who “came not to do His own will, but rather to do the will of the Father,”[5186] by whom He had been sent for this very purpose, that being made the “[ANGEL] MESSENGER OF GREAT COUNSEL,”[5187]...” - (Chapter XXI. A Treatise of Novatian Concerning the Trinity. ANF Roberts & Donaldson)
[FOOTNOTE 5183]: John v. 19. The infirmities of language are such that cunning men like Petavius can construct anti-Nicene doctrine out of Scripture itself; and the marvel is, that the Christian Fathers before the Council of Nicæa generally use such precision of language, although they lacked the synodical definitions.
[FOOTNOTE 5184]: Col. i. 15.
[FOOTNOTE 5185]: John iii. 31, 32.
[FOOTNOTE 5186]: John iv. 38.
NOVATION (circa. 210–280 C.E.): “...And thus, although Christ had not been born as yet in the times of Isaiah the prophet, he said, “For unto us a child is born;”[5238] and although Mary had not yet been approached, he said, “And I approached unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bare a son.”[5239] And when Christ had not yet made known the mind of the Father, it is said, “And His name shall be called THE ANGEL OF GREAT COUNSEL.”[5240]...” - (Chapter XXVIII. A Treatise of Novatian Concerning the Trinity. ANF Roberts & Donaldson)
[FOOTNOTE 5240]: Isa. ix. 6, LXX. See pp. 628, 632, supra.
