Glowing For Jesus: Acts 6:15
“And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel.” Acts 6:15
This verse stands out! Suffering for Jesus is an honor. The glory of God rested upon Stephen in his hour of trial and suffering and his face shined like that of an angel.
We must ask why the writer included this small observation in the text? I believe God wants His people to know they are never alone when they stand for Jesus and the gospel.
The face of Moses shined from being in the presence of God. (2 Corinthians 3:5-18) Paul stressed the point that the Holy Spirit changes the countenance of every true believer. If you are a true believer, please inform your face. Don’t walk about looking like you were baptized in pickle juice.
The joy of the Lord is our strength. God wants us to radiate for Him. You cannot fake the presence of God in your life. His glory is especially radiant through those who suffer according to the will of God.
But Peter went further than Paul. Keep in mind, Peter was writing to the persecuted church. He talked about the Spirit of glory and of God that rests on those called to suffer as Christians. (See 1 Peter 4:14-16)
I cannot fully explain the significance of Acts 6:15, but this observation about the face of Stephen glowing like the face of an angel is important. The glory of God rests on those who suffer for Jesus!
As things in the world are getting darker and persecution is mounting, a glory through the true bride of Jesus Christ is shining brighter and brighter. These truly are glorious days!
Even the council noticed the glow on Stephen’s face. Why was Luke able to record this point? He was not present. I believe some of those present were won over for Jesus because of the witness of Stephen. But it wasn’t merely the words he shared that pierced them, it was also the glory of his countenance. His face was like the face of an angel.
Be honest with yourself! What do you look like? Are you glowing from focusing on Jesus or do you look like a dried up old raisin? Take your eyes off from yourself and this broken world and fix your eyes on Jesus!
Here is some wise counsel from a survivor of the Nazi Concentration camps. Corrie Ten Boom used to say:
Look within and be depressed. Look without and be repressed. Look to Jesus and be impressed.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
