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The Face of an Angel

The Face of an Angel. January 13, 2013. Acts 6:8-15.

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The Face of an Angel

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  1. The Face of an Angel January 13, 2013

  2. Acts 6:8-15 8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. 9 But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and argued with Stephen. 10 But they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. 11 Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.” 12 And they stirred up the people, the elders and the scribes, and they came up to him and dragged him away and brought him before the Council. 13 They put forward false witnesses who said, “This man incessantly speaks against this holy place and the Law; 14 for we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us.” 15 And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel.

  3. About Stephen • Obviously, a Hellenistic Jew • His name: La-a “Crown”, but which type? • When we first meet him, he was already known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom • Now, also full of grace (what does that mean?) and power, was doing miracles before the people. • Whether he did these before being appointed one of the seven is uncertain. Personally, I would think that he had. It was by the laying on of the apostles hands that others received this power (8:18). • By the signs done, the apostles had receive the favor of the people, and obviously Stephen was seen in the same way, so he may well have already been doing signs before we first meet him.

  4. His Critics • He meets them in their synagogue! • Synagogue background—could have been around since the exile. They were the center of Jewish religious life in the various communities • There were many of them. (some say 480 in Jerusalem at its destruction some thirty-five years later). • Five groups mentioned—five synagogues? • Libertines. From Libya? Or Freedmen? • Cyrus, Alexandria, Cilicia, and Asia. So many Synagogues gave people a place to find similar or people with like backgrounds, interests.

  5. The Argument • What Jesus said—He would “destroy the temple” • The read this as being blasphemy. • The term means “speaking against” • They took what he said as “speaking against” both Moses and God • He was advocating a change in their customs—traditions which had become sacred to them • He had been very powerful in his presentation. Verse 10

  6. The Tactics • They “suborned” men to testify • They “stirred up” the people • They “seized” him • They “brought” him to the council • They got “false witnesses” to testify • Sound familiar?????

  7. Where it got them They saw his face looking like the face of an angel. What does this mean? What would this have been like?

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