Friday, January 10, 2025

Acts 6:1-15

 Acts 6:1-15


What does an angel look like? The answer to that question tells us more about our opinion of angels than it tells us about angels themselves. At the end of this chapter, with the prosecution having presented its woefully weak case, the high court looks at Stephen, and his face was "like the face of an angel." What did they see? We can rule out the depictions of artists who, over the years, have presented angels as everything from naked, chubby, long haired babies with wings to columns of fire with arms. Understanding that there are numerous kinds and ranks of angels, we must realize that a one-size-fits-all visual concept will never be adequate. Stephen’s appearance did not terrify them, which is the most common reaction in scripture to seeing an angel. So in what way was Stephen's space like that of an angel? 

Precisely we do not, and will never, know; however, there are things we do know that might give us a clue. We know that angels of God are supremely loyal to God; they did not join the satanic rebellion and by that become fallen angels or demons. They are supremely confident in God's ultimate victory; there is never any question in their mind of who will win the ultimate cosmic battle. Their lives, if that is the right word, are marked by praise and service; the idea of an idle angel is foreign to scripture. Rather than go on, which we could, this summary of an angel is that of resolve, peace, and eager service. 

At that moment, Stephen is not intimidated or panicked. He may have looked on the proceedings with an air of confidence, as if he had called the assembly together to instruct them. Whatever else marked his appearance, there was certainly a mastery of the circumstance that came from a profound confidence that history, circumstances, life, and all moments are in God's gracious control.

"Grant me Lord to, like Stephen become angelic.

 

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