Acts 6

Choosing of the Seven

1Now 1at this time, as the 2disciples were 3increasing in number, a complaint developed on the part of the 45Hellenistic Jews against the native 6Hebrews, because their 7widows were being overlooked in 8the daily serving of food. 2So the twelve summoned the 9congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. 3Instead, 10brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, 11full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. 4But we will 12devote ourselves to prayer and to the 13ministry of the word.” 5The 14announcement found approval with the whole 15congregation; and they chose 16Stephen, a man 17full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and 18Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and 19Nicolas, a 2021proselyte from 22Antioch. 6And they brought these men before the apostles; and after 23praying, they 24laid their hands on them.

725The word of God kept spreading; and 26the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to 27the faith.

8And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great 28wonders and 29signs among the people. 9But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both 30Cyrenians and 31Alexandrians, and some from 32Cilicia and 3334Asia, rose up and argued with Stephen. 10But they were unable to 35cope with his wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking. 11Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and they 36came up to him and dragged him away, and brought him 37before 38the 39Council. 13They put forward 40false witnesses who said, “This man does not stop 41speaking against this 42holy place and the Law; 14for we have heard him say that 43this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and change 44the customs which Moses handed down to us.” 15And all who were sitting in the 4546Council stared at him, and they saw his face, which was like the face of an angel.