4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 This proposal pleased the whole company. So they chose Stephen,t a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a convert from Antioch.u 6 They had them stand before the apostles, who prayedv and laid their hands onw them.

7 So the word of God spread, the disciples in Jerusalem increasedx greatly in number, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith.