Acts 6

Seven Chosen to Serve

6Now in those days, ^awhen the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the ^bHellenists, ¹because their widows were neglected ^cin the daily distribution. ²Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, ^d“It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. ³Therefore, brethren, ^eseek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this ^fbusiness; ⁴but we ^gwill give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

⁵And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, ^ha man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and ⁱPhilip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and ^jNicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, ⁶whom they set before the apostles; and ^kwhen they had prayed, ^lthey laid hands on them.

⁷Then ^mthe word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many ⁿof the priests were obedient to the faith.

Stephen Accused of Blasphemy

⁸And Stephen, full of ²faith and power, did great ^owonders and signs among the people. ⁹Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. ¹⁰And ^pthey were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. ^11qThen 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 came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council. ¹³They also set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak ³blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; ^14rfor we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” ¹⁵And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.