The Face of an Angel

Acts 6:16

And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

A problem had surfaced within the Hellenists against the Hebrews. They felt that their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. The apostles met and decided that they must devote themselves to the ministry of the word and prayer. So they asked for 7 men who were of good repute, full of the Spirit and wisdom to handle this task. Everyone was in full agreement. So they chose Stephen along with six other men. The word continued to increase and all was as it should be.But soon it would not be so. 

A group of men, the Freedmen, were at odds with Stephen. Stephen was full of grace and power and doing great wonders and signs. So what was the problem? It must have been a root of jealousy in the Freedman. Satan can find the smallest thing and then blow it up into a huge thing. They tried to discount him, but they were no match for Stephen's wisdom and the Spirit within him. So they secretly instigated men to speak falsely against him. They stirred up the people, the elders and scribes and forcefully brought him before the council.[I can imagine Satan rejoicing at this. How he loves to stop the Spirit's work!]  Their basic charge was blasphemy against Moses and against God. They said he constantly spoke against the temple and wanted to change the customs of Moses. After listening, they turned and looked at Stephen, they saw a face like that of an angel. Stephen was not flustered by the false charges. He had no reason to defend Himself because he had done no wrong. He had entrusted his soul to the One who judges justly. 

How deceitful is the heart of man! Even with the magnificent things that the Spirit was accomplishing in the church, even with souls being added to the church daily, and even with the apostles appointing men to handle the physical needs of the church, the Freedmen were not satisfied. Satan had claimed a foothold of jealousy in their lives, and they were used to defeat the work of the church. Visibly manifested works of the Spirit or just participating in the ministry in an outward way can reek havoc within the heart. Once pride has grown in the heart, it can only go from bad to worse, from simple to complex. And that is what happened here and what is still happening all these years later. In Philippians Paul said, So if there is any encouragement in Christ, and comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Satan uses anything to destroy the unity of the church, and sadly the seeds of disunity dwell in the heart of man.

Father,

Give me a heart of unity, of rejoicing when others are noticed or praised, and of loving Jesus above all. Help me to put my attitudes, thoughts, and even needs before others. Give me a heart for Your body.

In Jesus name,

Amen