Acts

1Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenistsagainst the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service.

2The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables.

3Therefore, select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

4But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.”

5These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch,

6whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

7The word of God increased and the number of the disciples greatly multiplied in Jerusalem. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

8Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.

9But some of those who were of the synagogue called “The Libertines”, and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen.

10They weren’t able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.

11Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”

12They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him, then brought him in to the council,

13and set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law.

14For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us.”

15All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel.

The Choosing of the Seven

1In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jewsbecause their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.

2So the Twelve summoned all the disciples and said, “It is unacceptable for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables.

3Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will assign this responsibility to them

4and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

5This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, as well as Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.

6They presented these seven to the apostles,who prayed and laid their hands on them.

7So the word of God continued to spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem grew rapidly, and a great number of priests became obedient to the faith.

The Arrest of Stephen

8Now Stephen, who was full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.

9But resistance arose from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and men from the provinces of Cilicia and Asia.They disputed with Stephen,

10but they could not stand up to his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.

11Then they prompted some men to say, “We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.”

12So they stirred up the people, elders, and scribes and confronted Stephen. They seized him and brought him before the Sanhedrin,

13where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.

14For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”

15All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.