Why did Stephen's face look like the face of an angel when he stood before the council?
Stephen's face appeared like an angel's because he was filled with the Holy Spirit. When he stood before the council, those watching saw something beyond the natural in his countenance. The Spirit's fullness produced a supernatural appearance that went beyond ordinary human expression.
Les explains that Stephen had been brought before the religious leaders of Israel, the council of the synagogue. Acts 6:15 records that all who sat in the council looked steadfastly on him and saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. Les points out that they could see something beyond the natural. The reason was that Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit. Les also stresses that these early chapters of Acts are still dealing with the nation of Israel, with no mention of Gentiles; everything is Jewish and located in Jerusalem. So the angelic face was a supernatural evidence of the Spirit's presence in Stephen as he faced the council.
And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
More Questions
Why did Stephen's face look like an angel in Acts 6?
People recognized that Stephen's face was beyond the natural because Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit.