Acts 6
1 And in those days, the number of the disciples increasing, there arose a murmuring of the Greeks against the Hebrews, for that their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
Now in these days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint by the Grecian Jews began against the Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
2 Then the twelve calling together the multitude of the disciples, said: It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
The twelve called the multitude of the disciples to them and said, “It is not right for us to give up the word of God in order to serve tables.
3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
You should therefore choose, brothers, seven men from among yourselves, men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
As for us, we will always continue in prayer and in the ministry of the word.”
5 And the saying was liked by all the multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith, and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch.
Their speech pleased the whole multitude. So they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte from Antioch.
6 These they set before the apostles; and they praying, imposed hands upon them.
The believers brought these men before the apostles, who prayed and then placed their hands upon them.
7 And the word of the Lord increased; and the number of the disciples was multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly: a great multitude also of the priests obeyed the faith.
So the word of God continued to spread, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly, and a large number of the priests became obedient to the faith.
8 And Stephen, full of grace and fortitude, did great wonders and signs among the people.
Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.
9 Now there arose some of that which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them that were of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen.
But there arose some people who belonged to the synagogue called the synagogue of the Freedmen, of the Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia. These people were debating with Stephen.
10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit that spoke.
But they were not able to stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.
11 Then they suborned men to say, they had heard him speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.
Then they bribed some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.”
12 And they stirred up the people, and the ancients, and the scribes; and running together, they took him, and brought him to the council.
They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and they approached Stephen and seized him and brought him before the council.
13 And they set up false witnesses, who said: This man ceaseth not to speak words against the holy place and the law.
They brought false witnesses, who said, “This man does not stop speaking words against this holy place and the law.
14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the traditions which Moses delivered unto us.
For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”
15 And all that sat in the council, looking on him, saw his face as if it had been the face of an angel.
Everyone who sat in the council fixed their eyes on him and saw his face was like the face of an angel.
