To say Stephen’s face was like the face of an angel shows evidence of God’s presence in his life. He was compared to an angel, who stands in God’s presence and reflects His glory. He was radiating God’s wisdom and heaven’s glory. In the midst of the accusations and lies being told about Stephen, he was able to have a confident trust in God and glow with divine insight. 

Stephen’s face being like the face of an angel, also shows us evidence of God’s power in his life. He was filled with the Holy Spirit, performing miracles among the people and using wisdom and power from the Holy Spirit to speak the truth about Jesus and stand against the discussions, and disputes from the members of the synagogue seeking to trap him in his words (Acts 6:8-10). 

His face being like that of an angel, also shows us the mighty ambassador Stephen was for Christ. Our culture often thinks of angels as cute little chubby infants with wings sitting on clouds and playing tiny harps. However, to do so, diminishes the power and might that God has given His angels. Angels in the Bible are powerful warriors in God’s army, they are His messengers, and they strike awe and fear into their witnesses. Most people in Scripture who see an angel must immediately be told not to be afraid. So Stephen being compared to an angel would have been a testament to his strength and endurance as God’s messenger preaching the Good News. 

So, to say Stephen’s face was like the face of an angel, shows us so many things about him. It shows us God’s presence and power were evident in his life, he was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he was a strong, faithful servant in full service to God.

Querido Padre Celestial,

Thank You for the example of Stephen forgiving his persecutors and asking that this sin not be held against them. I confess I don't know if I could do that and I struggle to forgive lesser offenses. Help me Lord God to forgive those who sin against me. Put Your Holy Spirit in me and on me so that I can bear the glow of Your Holy Angels even in persecution to the point of death, if that is Your will for me. In the meantime, help me glow with the light of Jesus even today. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen. 

It is important to seek to please God first in the face of our own questions, or ungodly advice or ridicule from others. Be encouraged that, as God saw Stephen, He sees all those who seek to do right. “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward Him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9)