How did God create angels?
God created all the angels1 spirits,2 immortal,3 holy,4 excelling in knowledge,5 mighty in power,6 to execute his commandments, and to praise his name,7 yet subject to change.8
Scripture proofs
The Westminster Assembly's proof texts (KJV). The bracketed numbers in the answer above mark the clause each set of references supports; expand a row to read the verses.
1 Col. 1:16
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
2 Ps. 104:4
Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:
3 Matt. 22:30
For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
4 Matt. 25:31
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
5 2 Sam. 14:17; Matt. 24:36
Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the LORD thy God will be with thee.
But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
6 2 Thess. 1:7
And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
7 Ps. 103:20–21
Ps. 103:20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
Ps. 103:21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
8 2 Pet. 2:4
For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
This doctrine across the Standards
Where the Confession and the Westminster Shorter Catechism treat the same matter, so the question can be studied alongside its parallel statements.
In the Westminster Confession
IV.1 It pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for the manifestation of the glory of his eternal …
It pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for the manifestation of the glory of his eternal power, wisdom, and goodness, in the beginning, to create or make of nothing the world, and all things therein, whether visible or invisible, in the space of six days, and all very good.
→ IV.1 · Of CreationIV.2 After God had made all other creatures, he created man, male and female, with reasonable and immortal souls, …
After God had made all other creatures, he created man, male and female, with reasonable and immortal souls, endued with knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness, after his own image, having the law of God written in their hearts, and power to fulfil it; and yet under a possibility of transgressing, being left to the liberty of their own will, which was subject unto change. Beside this law written in their hearts, they received a command not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; which while they kept they were happy in their communion with God, and had dominion over the creatures.
→ IV.2 · Of CreationIX.1 God hath endued the will of man with that natural liberty, that is neither forced nor by any …
God hath endued the will of man with that natural liberty, that is neither forced nor by any absolute necessity of nature determined to good or evil.
→ IX.1 · Of Free WillIn the Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q.9 What is the work of creation?
The work of creation is, God's making all things of nothing, by the word of his power, in the space of six days, and all very good.
→ Open Q.9Q.10 How did God create man?
God created man male and female, after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion over the creatures.
→ Open Q.10