The book of Acts chapter 6 verse 15 mentions that Stephen, one of the first deacons appointed by the apostles, had the face of an angel. This is a fascinating description that provides insight into Stephen’s character and what he represented.
To understand the meaning of this verse, we need to look at the context. Stephen was one of seven men full of wisdom and the Holy Spirit chosen by the apostles to serve tables and attend to the distribution of food and charity in the early church (Acts 6:1-6). However, Stephen went beyond just this service to powerfully preaching the gospel with wisdom and spirit-led conviction, leading many to Christ (Acts 6:8-10). His impact threatened the Jewish leaders who disputed with him but “could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking” (Acts 6:10).
False witnesses were brought against Stephen accusing him of blasphemy against Moses and God (Acts 6:11-14). Yet when Stephen addressed these charges before the Sanhedrin, scripture says his face was like that of an angel (Acts 6:15). What did this mean?
First, it spoke to Stephen’s character. He was “full of grace and power” and “full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom” (Acts 6:3,6:8). His angelic countenance reflected a godly spirit, sincere faith, and a grace-filled demeanor in the face of persecution. Just as Moses’ face had shone with the glory of God after encountering Him on Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:29-30), Stephen’s face similarly radiated a heavenly glow and reflected the presence of God.
Second, it pointed to his message. Stephen boldly proclaimed the gospel with wisdom and spiritual fervor. The angelic glow signaled the divine origin and import of the message he spoke. Like an angel delivering a message from heaven, Stephen spoke God’s truth with power and courage through the Spirit’s enabling.
Third, it alluded to his role and ministry. Stephen served the church wholeheartedly, meeting practical needs. Yet God also powerfully used him as an anointed preacher, miracle worker, and witness for Christ (Acts 6:8). His angelic appearance hinted at his heaven-sent purpose to be a light to many in dark times. Just as angels brought messages of truth from God, so did Stephen function as a messenger of the gospel.
Fourth, it foreshadowed his witness in death. Soon after this verse, Stephen was martyred for his faith, forgiving those who stoned him (Acts 7:54-60). In this, he resembled the unfallen angels who live to serve God and do His will. Angels also watch over God’s people (Psalm 91:11), as Stephen watched over the early church.
In summary, the description of Stephen having an angelic face highlighted his Christ-like character, spiritual power, divine calling, and faithful witness. It presents him as a model disciple reflecting God’s presence and carrying out His will, much like an angel. Stephen pointed people to salvation in Jesus and God’s truth.
This passage reminds us that God can use any willing follower to share His light. When we walk closely with God and allow His Spirit to fill us, our lives and faces too can shine with His love and grace. As we serve others and preach the gospel, our faces may not literally glow, but we can still reveal God’s glory in how we live, speak, and treat people.
1. The context behind Stephen’s angelic appearance
To fully grasp the meaning of Acts 6:15, we first need to understand the context leading up to this verse and Stephen’s background:
- Stephen was one of seven deacons chosen by the apostles to serve the practical needs of the church, helping distribute food and offering aid to Greek-speaking Jewish widows who were being overlooked (Acts 6:1-6).
- However, Stephen went beyond just service and became a powerful preacher of the gospel, performing wonders and miracles among the people. Many came to faith through his Spirit-empowered ministry (Acts 6:8-10).
- This threatened the Jewish leaders who disputed with Stephen but could not match his wisdom or the Holy Spirit enabling him (Acts 6:9-10).
- So these leaders induced false witnesses to falsely accuse Stephen of speaking blasphemy against Moses and God before the Sanhedrin council (Acts 6:11-14).
- It is when Stephen addressed these charges that scripture says his face was like that of an angel (Acts 6:15), astounding those who saw him.
So Stephen was a faithful servant chosen by the apostles who powerfully preached the gospel but was seized on false charges by jealous Jewish leaders. His angelic appearance came while standing trial for his faith.
2. What Stephen’s angelic appearance reflects about his character
Stephen’s angelic face reflected his noble character and the work of God’s Spirit in him in several ways:
- Spirit-filled – He was described as “full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom” (Acts 6:3) and “full of grace and power” through the Spirit (Acts 6:8). This showed in his glowing face.
- Virtuous – He was a man “full of faith” chosen for his good reputation and “full of the Spirit and wisdom” (Acts 6:3,5). This godly virtue shone through his appearance.
- Grace-filled – Stephen showed grace in service and in forgiving those who killed him (Acts 7:60). His face reflected this inner grace.
- Courageous – He boldly preached despite opposition and held firm at his trial. His resolute face showed this steadfast courage.
- Heavenly focus – He looked up to Jesus in his final moments (Acts 7:55). His upward gaze reflected his heavenly focus beyond his trial.
So Stephen’s face revealed the work of the Holy Spirit in his character – faith, grace, virtue, courage, forgiveness, and eyes fixed on Christ.
3. What Stephen’s angelic appearance signals about his message
Stephen’s angelically-illuminated face as he spoke before the Sanhedrin also revealed the divine origin and authority of the message he preached:
- It showed he was speaking God’s truth with heavenly empowerment and not his own wisdom.
- It underscored the gravity and spiritual importance of his Spirit-inspired preaching as he recounted Israel’s history and accused the leaders of resisting the Holy Spirit.
- It mirrored occasions like Moses’ shining face when God delivered messages of covenant and commandments to His people.
- It marked him as specially chosen and sent to deliver truth from God, like angels sent with revelation, prophecy, and gospel proclamation.
- It aligned with passages describing angels as luminous beings who reflect God’s glory (Matthew 28:3; Revelation 10:1).
Overall, his radiant face confirmed the divine source and weight of the words he spoke – much like an angel delivering a critical message from heaven.
4. What Stephen’s angelic likeness reveals about his ministry and role
Stephen’s angelic appearance also shed light on his God-given ministry and role in the early church:
- It showed he was set apart and anointed by God for service, beyond just the original task the apostles appointed him for.
- It marked him as God’s chosen vessel through whom the Spirit would minister, perform wonders, and proclaim truth.
- It drew parallel to angels who carry out special missions and communicate God’s revelation as His messenger servants.
- It signified his dynamic, Spirit-led preaching ministry that powerfully impacted many for Christ.
- It hinted that, like angels, Stephen had a larger purpose to serve God and represent heaven’s interests to those on earth.
So in appearance and calling, Stephen resembled an angel – sent by God as a light into the world to serve His will and purposes.
5. How Stephen’s angelic appearance foreshadows his witness in death
Finally, the description of Stephen’s face as angelic also prophetically foreshadowed his faithful witness in martyrdom:
- It prefigured how Stephen would reflect Christ through his selfless death, much as angels live wholly for God’s glory.
- It anticipated how Stephen would see a vision of the glorified Christ just before his death, as he looked intently into heaven (Acts 7:55-56).
- It hinted at Stephen’s cry for forgiveness for his killers (Acts 7:60), mirroring angels who do not judge or condemn.
- It paralleled angels who watch over God’s people (Psalm 91:11), just as Stephen watched over and served the early church.
- It foresaw how his face would shine even more brightly in eternal life, as he joined angels in unhindered worship of God.
So in glowing with an angel’s radiance, Stephen also subtly foreshadowed his coming witness unto death and the glimpse of glory awaiting him.
6. Stephen as a model of serving God with an “angelic” faith
Though not many are described in Scripture as having an angelic appearance, Stephen provides a model for believers on reflecting God’s presence and serving Him wholeheartedly:
- Stephen showed absolute devotion to God and willingness to serve wherever needed, whether practically or preaching powerfully.
- His spirit-filled character aligned with God’s will so the Holy Spirit could work mightily through him.
- He courageously spoke God’s truth even in the face of intense opposition and persecution.
- He followed Christ’s example of forgiveness and graciousness in the face of hatred and hostility.
- He allowed his spiritual gaze to be fixed on Jesus and the glory of heaven as he neared martyrdom.
If we walk closely with God, yield to the Spirit’s leading, and selflessly serve others, our lives too can radiate the love, grace, and truth of Christ. While our faces may not literally shine, they can still reveal God’s light.
7. Angels as messengers and ministers in biblical context
To provide further background, it is helpful to explore how angels function in Scripture as messengers from God and ministers who carry out His will:
- Angels communicated God’s revelations, promises, warnings, judgments, prophecies, and gospels throughout biblical history (Luke 1:26-38; Acts 7:53; Galatians 3:19; Revelation 1:1).
- They praise and worship God as holy servants who delight to do His will (Isaiah 6:1-3; Luke 2:13-14; Hebrews 1:6).
- They ministered to Jesus during His earthly life, including at His temptation, in Gethsemane, and after His resurrection (Matthew 4:11; Luke 22:43; John 20:12).
- They watch over and protect God’s people at times according to His will (Psalm 91:11; Acts 12:11-15).
- They will accompany Christ when He returns to judge the world and gather believers (Matthew 16:27; 24:31)
So angels are presented in Scripture as specially created spiritual beings who serve God’s purposes and reflect His glory as holy messengers and ministers.
8. Glowing faces reflecting God’s glory in biblical narratives
Beyond Stephen, Scripture records other instances of people’s faces shining as they reflected God’s glory and presence:
- Moses’ face shone with leftover radiance after encountering God’s glory on Mount Sinai, terrifying the Israelites (Exodus 34:29-30, 35).
- When planning the temple, David said Solomon would build a dwelling place for God to “shine forth” (1 Chronicles 17:12).
- The psalmist writes of seeking God’s face and His countenance shining on followers (Psalm 31:16; 67:1; 80:3).
- Isaiah later prophesied that God’s glory would shine on His people (Isaiah 60:1-2).
- Matthew 17:2 describes Jesus’ face shining like the sun during His transfiguration.
- In Revelation, angelic beings are described with shining faces reflecting God’s glory (Revelation 10:1; 18:1).
So in the Bible, the light of one’s face can mirror the inner light of dwelling in God’s presence and proclaiming His truth.
9. The supernatural nature of Stephen’s angelic appearance
Stephen’s face shining with angelic brilliance was not a natural occurrence but a supernatural manifestation:
- Scripture states it occurred as he was filled with the Holy Spirit, highlighting spiritual cause rather than physical conditions (Acts 6:3, 6:5, 6:8).
- Light emanated from his face suddenly as he addressed the high priest, not continually in his daily activity.
- The language indicates an outward beaming of light, not just an inner glow reflected metaphorically or in demeanor.
- Those looking on reacted with awe and intense wonder, suggesting an obvious miraculous manifestation.
- Parallels to accounts like Moses’ shining face confirm miraculous, not natural, causes.
Therefore, this should be understood as a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit upon Stephen to confirm His gospel message and identify him as God’s chosen vessel.
10. Implications and applications for believers today
While few today will exhibit an angelically-glowing face like Stephen, all believers can still reflect God’s glory through:
- Allowing the Holy Spirit to fill us and shape our character (Galatians 5:22-25).
- Serving God wholeheartedly however He leads and gifting enables.
- Preaching the gospel with wisdom, boldness, and faith in the Spirit’s power.
- Forgiving and loving others graciously, as Christ forgave us.
- Keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus amidst life’s trials and suffering.
- Offering ourselves as vessels through which God’s light can shine (2 Corinthians 4:6-7).
So while few may have an angelic face like Stephen, all believers can still live as faithful witnesses who reflect God’s love, grace, and truth to all around us.