Insightful Musings on the Scriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Passage: Acts 6
Focus: “…the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.” Acts 6:2.
Who could deny that this was a revival move born of the Spirit of God? Anointed preaching, effective teaching, incredible miracles, spontaneous excitement, awesome revelations, heavenly worship, angelic visitations, growing numbers, and wonderful fellowship. Let’s review the description given in chapter 2. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:42-47).
But (here we are butting up against another stubborn “but”) it didn’t really matter how wonderful and spiritual and exciting things would become, there were still a bunch of practical realities that could not be avoided. They still had to eat. They still had to sleep. They still had to take baths, (at least they should), brush their teeth, comb their hair, wash their clothes, dispose of the trash, shop for food, prepare the meals, clean up the kitchen, and wait in line to use the toilet. We are wise to recognize that it is in the performance of these mundane tasks that true Christianity meets its most critical tests. So—how are you doing?
“One may be better than his reputation, but never better than his principles.”
Focus 2: “All who were in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel” (Acts 6:15).
Why was it that Stephen’s face was so outstanding here? It appeared as the “FACE OF AN ANGEL.” I think it is unlikely that Stephen was exceptionally handsome by natural “Cover Boy” standards. I doubt that his features would have been remarkable if you had seen him shopping in the supermarket. But here he is so filled with peace and poise and the anointing of the Holy Spirit that his countenance radiates inner light. His face is unusually attractive because it stands out in such sharp contrast to all the other faces present who only reflect something closer to demonic darkness. And it is most likely that it was not until Stephen is pushed into this fire of persecution that his appearance becomes so beautifully transformed.
I have beheld a few cases of persecution in my time…and I could tell a few stories. Usually the faces of the persecuted looked no different than the faces of the persecutors. A few times I have seen the radiance of inner light. I prefer the latter, don’t you? One lesson that could be taken from this reading is this: It is better to obey God and die with the face of an angel than to resist God and live with a face of conformity to one’s environment…normally to darkness.
Let’s not depart from this passage without asking ourselves this question: “What does my face look like?” While we are not able to select our natural facial features, we really do have the ability, in large measure, to choose our countenance.
“A candle shines brightest in the dark.”