The Pilgrim Path---Acts 6: 8 – 15 (2—10—21)

And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.” And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

“…his face was like the face of an angel.”

In the beginning of Acts chapter 6, the Apostles make it clear that the deacons will need to be, “men of good repute, full of the Spirit and wisdom.” They knew when push came to shove---the Church of Jesus Christ would need representatives who would reveal the light of the Gospel of Jesus when “shaken.” More than threats were coming---martyrdom was about to become real for the Followers of the Living Christ.

The tense of the original indicates that Stephen kept healing people. That is not what brought fierce opposition. It was the Deacon’s unflinching proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ the LORD. He demonstrated unmistakably that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah---the only Savior of Sinners! The Greek-speaking Jews from Alexandria, Asia Minor, and the Synagogue of the Freedmen---were no match for the Spirit inspired abilities of this brother. The text tells us that his adversaries could not withstand what heaven did “herald” through him. Their only recourse was to do what the enemies of Jesus Christ did to him---they lied about him. Not only did they lie---they formulated an article of arrest---based upon “blasphemy” under Jewish Law. This would cost you your life (by stoning) if you were convicted. Hmmm---“he has spoken words against the Temple and against God’s Law. “ The LORD Jesus “mentioned” as some sort of cult leader. Serious charges indeed against Deacon Stephen! And probably facing the Ruling Council in a semi-circle, Stephen has his facial expression changed, “into the face of an angel.”

We live in a world when accusations come---you usually put on your meanest devil face. As they say on the street, “you double down---and rage against your foes!” Deacon Stephen seems to understand that everything is going to be required of him. What he must do is deny himself---take up his cross and follow Jesus. It begins with his heart---and reached all the way to his face. He will get a “hearing for the truth” before he leaves the world.

From Joseph Parker: Stephen sat still, but his face gleamed like an angel. Could you have seen the other faces---with the significant leer, the harsh mouths---you would have known, without hearing the defense, who was right and who was wrong. Would that we could look more and say less! The face of Stephen shone like an angel. This is typical of character. Whenever character is under the influence of Christian inspiration it shines…

From Simon Kistemaker: Stephen realized the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to give his followers words of wisdom so that none of their opponents would be able to refute them (Luke 21: 15; compare Matt. 10: 20). Notice also that the term wisdom occurs only four times in Acts, twice in connection with Stephen (vv. 3, 10) and twice in his speech before the Sanhedrin (7: 10, 22). With the Spirit of God and wisdom from above, Stephen was capable of debating his opponents in the Jewish Synagogues. And filled with the Spirit he was able to rebut the arguments leveled against him and his interpretation of the Scriptures. If the Greek-speaking Jews had realized that they were opposing the Holy Spirit, they would have known that they were fighting a battle they could not win.

From Samuel Rutherford: Our fair morning is at hand, the daystar is near rising, and we are not many miles from home; what matters the ill entertainment in the smoky inns of this miserable life? We are not to stay here, and we will be dearly welcome to him whom we go to.

What will our face look like when the unbelieving world assaults us for Jesus’ sake?

From the PSALTER

Through all the changing scenes of life,

In troubles and in joy,

The praises of my God shall still

My heart and tongue employ.

O make but trial of his love;

Experience will decide

How blest they are, and only they,

Who in his truth confide.

From Psalm 34: 1 – 4, 7 – 9

Tate and Brady’s New Version, 1696, 1698

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason