And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
Acts 6:15

This “angelic” countenance should not be misunderstood to say that Stephen became an angel. Commentator Albert Barnes wrote of this:

“This expression is one evidently denoting that he manifested evidence of sincerity, gravity, fearlessness, confidence in God. It is used in the Old Testament to denote special wisdom, ( 2 Samuel 14:17 & 19:27). In Genesis 33:10, it is used to denote special majesty and glory, as if it were the face of God.”

Two things come to mind:

First, may we be so secure in the grace of God our Savior, that even if we are the targets of persecution for Christ’s sake, we too have faces like angels. May we be so secure in Christ and in His sovereignty that it shows on our faces.

Second, I am reminded that Saul of Tarsus was present at Stephen’s stoning (Acts 8:1). Paul (formerly Saul) freely admits his complicity in Stephan’s death in Acts 22:20. I’m sure that Paul saw that “angelic” face of Stephen as He heard Stephen’ s eloquent reply to the charges leveled against him—a reply that was laced with the gospel. I cannot help but believe that Stephen’s face and words angered him when it was happening. But neither can I help but believe that Stephen’s face and words haunted him until he too was converted by the work of the Holy Spirit. May the faces and words of the martyrs be used by God to convert those who hate His people because they hate Him!