New Testament · Acts

Acts 6

The Choosing of the Seven

(1 Timothy 3:8–13)

1Now in those days, while the disciples were multiplying, a complaint arose by the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily ministry.

2So the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not pleasing that we, having neglected the word^a of God, should serve tables. 3Therefore, brothers, look for seven men from among you who are well-attested, full of holy^b spirit^c and wisdom^d, whom we may appoint over this need. 4But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

5And the word pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and holy spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch. 6They placed these men before the apostles, and having prayed, they laid their hands on them.

7And the word of God was growing and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was greatly multiplying, and a large group of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

The Arrest of Stephen

8And Stephen, full of faith and power^e, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. 9But some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen^f, that is, of the Cyrenians and the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. 10And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit with which he was speaking.

11Then they secretly induced men to say, "We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God."^g

12And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and coming upon him they seized him and brought him to the council^h. 13They put forward false witnesses who said, "This man does not stop speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the lawⁱ. 14For we have heard him say that this Yeshua the Nazarene will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses handed down to us."

15And gazing at him, all who were sitting in the council saw his face as though it were the face of an angel.