The face of an angel

And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council. They also set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel. – Acts 6.8-15

Stephen is yet another amazing character in the early church. He was one of the first deacons in the church, but that didn’t preclude him from carrying the message of God. He was full of the Holy Spirit and full of faith.

Some men of the synagogue opposed him and accused him of blasphemy. The said he was speaking against the law and said that Stephen was preaching violence against the the synagogue and the destruction of the Mosaic system.

That was quite a charge. How was Stephen going to respond?

They stared at him. I am sure it must have been menacing and even terrifying. But what do we see? ‘They saw him as the face of an angel.’

Imagine that. Stephen knew his fate was in the hands of the council. He knew that he was risking his life in order to preach about Jesus. Despite all that he had absolute peace in his heart and it showed on his face.

I am glad I don’t have to see my face in times of trouble. I doubt that I have ever had the face of an angel when things looked dark and gloomy. I’d day my face is more a face or fear and terror.

Oh for the faith to have the face of an angel when I face a struggle. I’ll never face on like Stephen did, but he was a man full of faith he could be at peace