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Response
In the book of Acts, Luke recounts the tale of early church figure Stephen, the initial Christian martyr. Stephen was one of seven leaders selected to serve as deacons in Acts 6:1–7. Shortly after, Stephen was arrested and accused of blaspheming against Moses and God. As he prepares to deliver his testimony before the Jewish high court, Stephen stands not in fear or anger but with serene confidence, radiating divine inspiration. Luke portrays the extraordinary moment: “All those in the Sanhedrin gazed intently at Stephen, and they saw that his countenance was like that of an angel” «And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.», (Acts 6:15).
When Stephen was chosen to serve as a deacon, Luke depicted him as a man “of good reputation, filled with the Spirit of Wisdom” «Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. », (Acts 6:3) and “abounding in faith and the Holy Spirit” «And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: », (Acts 6:5). When narrating the events leading to Stephen’s martyrdom, Luke commenced, “Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people” «And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. », (Acts 6:8). The consist
The prominent aspect of Stephen’s character is that he was an exceptional disciple—the first New Testament believer apart from the apostles to perform miracles. He was paving the way for God’s glory and encountered immediate opposition from Hellenistic Jews. However, his adversaries could not “stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke” «And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. », (Acts 6:10, NLT). In frustration, Stephen’s critics devised a plan to have him arrested on the false charge of blasphemy.
When Luke portrayed Stephen as having the face of an angel, he was foreshadowing Stephen’s martyrdom. The description inspires awe. All those who beheld Stephen were amazed and marvelled at his appearance. There was something about Stephen’s demeanor that led to comparisons with an angel who stands in God’s presence and reflects His glory. Just before Stephen was stoned to death, while the Jewish leaders were gnashing their teeth and shaking their fists in anger, Luke noted, “But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God” «But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, », (Acts 7:55).
Having an angelic countenance was a concept commonly seen in Judaism. It was used to describe a brightened, enlightened, captivating, or awe-inspiring appearance. After Moses spent time with the Lord in Exodus 34:29–35, his face shone with such a radiant glow that the people were afraid to come near him. Whenever he returned to the people from being in God’s presence, Moses covered his face with a veil.
The angel of the Lord who appeared to Samson’s mother had such an imp
There was an imposing presence about him that she later told her husband, “His appearance was like the appearance of the angel of God, very awesome” «Then the woman came and told her husband, saying, A man of God came unto me, and his countenance was like the countenance of an angel of God, very terrible: but I asked him not whence he was, neither told he me his name: », (Judges 13:6, ESV).
According to Ecclesiastes 8:1, “Wisdom lights up a person’s face” (NLT). Describing the transfiguration of Jesus, Luke writes, “And as he [Jesus] was praying, the appearance of his face was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white” «And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. », (Luke 9:29, NLT).
When Stephen stood before his accusers, glowing with the face of an angel, he was radiating God’s wisdom and heaven’s glory. Without speaking a word, Stephen’s countenance gave witness that he was the Lord’s faithful servant. Indeed, those Sanhedrin members ought to have remembered Moses’ shining face. It was as if God was saying, “This man is no blasphemer! He is like Moses, My loyal servant!” The implication of Stephen’s having the face of an angel is that he, like Moses and Jesus, was a witness to and a reflection of the glory of God’s presence.
