Read: Acts 6:8-15
His face was like the face of an angel. (v. 15)
Among the most notable characters in the early church was a champion of the gospel named Stephen. Chosen by the apostles as one of the original seven deacons, he was full of “faith and the Holy Spirit” (v. 5). The wisdom and spirit with which he spoke could not be withstood. We should all feel challenged by the forthrightness and courage of his preaching to speak more clearly of the things of Jesus in our own contexts.
And what’s to be made of his appearance? He was brought before the Sanhedrin, ancient Israel’s supreme court, to be tried, and they were taken aback. He had the face of an angel. The principle function of an angel is to bring the message of heaven to earth. And that’s precisely what Stephen was doing in the one place where it should have been most welcomed. But even among Israel’s most learned scholars, the message of Jesus was rejected.
This brief section from the book of Acts challenges us all to look and act more like angels; not chubby-cheeked cherubs but determined messengers, messengers so affected by the power of the gospel that they can’t help but speak it out as clearly as possible. So perhaps a few challenging questions are in order. When was the last time you spoke the name of Jesus in public? Honestly if we, who know Jesus and have enjoyed the gift of new life in him, don’t speak of him, who will?
As you pray, ask God to give you the courage to speak clearly of Jesus.
Dr. Timothy Brown is the Henry Bast Professor of Preaching and President Emeritus at Western Theological Seminary where he served from 1995-2021. Tim continues to actively coach and encourage former students and pastors who seek help in their preaching life and he has become a certified public school substitute teacher so that he can continue investing in the lives of young people. He is married to Nancy and together they have three children and ten grandchildren.
