6In those days, as the disciples^p were increasing in number, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.^q ²The Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, “It would not be right for us to give up preaching the word of God to wait on tables. ³Brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation,^f full of the Spirit^s and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty. ⁴But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” ⁵This 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 ⁶They had them stand before the apostles, who prayed^v and laid their hands on^w them.

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

STEPHEN ACCUSED OF BLASPHEMY

⁸Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.

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Cross references

p Mt 9:10; Mk 10:10; Lk 6:1; Jn 6:3; Ac 9:1,10,19,25–26; 21:4,16
q Ac 2:41; 4:4,35; 5:14; 9:29,39; 11:20
f Dt 1:13; 1Tm 3:7
s Lk 4:1; Ac 7:55; 11:19,24
t Ac 6:8–9; 11:19; 22:20
u Mt 23:15; Ac 8:5,26; 21:8
v Ac 1:24; 8:17; 13:3; 2Tm 1:6
w Nm 8:10; Ac 9:17; 1Tm 4:14
x Ac 12:24; 19:20; Col 1:6