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.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.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.4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to 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.6 These they set before the apostles; and they praying, imposed 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.8 And Stephen, full of grace and fortitude, did 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.10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit that spoke.11 Then they suborned men to say, they had heard him speak words of blasphemy 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.13 And they set up false witnesses, who said: This man ceaseth not to speak words against the 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.15 And all that sat in the council, looking on him, saw his face as if it had been the face of an angel.

Acts 6

The Appointment of the First Seven Deacons

1 Now in thoset days, when the disciples were growing in number,t a complaint arose on the part of the Greek-speaking Jewsts against the native Hebraic Jews,t because their widowss were being overlookedt in the daily distribution of food.ts2 So the twelves calledt the whole groupt of the disciples together and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to wait on tables.t3 But carefully select from among you, brothers,t sevens men who are well-attested,t full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charget of this necessary task.t4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”5 Thet proposal pleased the entire group, sot they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, witht Philip,s Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a Gentile convert to Judaismt from Antioch.s6 They stood these men before the apostles, who prayedts and placedt their hands on them.

7 The word of God continued to spread,t the number of disciples in Jerusalems increased greatly, and a large groupts of priests became obedient to the faith.

Stephen is Arrested

8 Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and miraculous signst among the people.9 But some men from the Synagogues of the Freedmen (as it was called),t both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, as well as some from Cilicia and the province of Asia,t stood up and argued with Stephen.10 Yett they were not able to resists the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.11 Then they secretly instigatedt some men to say, “We have heard this mant speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God.”12 They incited the people, thet elders, and the experts in the law;t then they approached Stephen,t seized him, and brought him before the council.t13 They brought forward false witnesses who said, “This man does not stop saying things against this holy places and the law.s14 For we have heard him saying that Jesus the Nazarene will destroy this place and change the customsts that Moses handed down to us.”

15 Allt who were sitting in the councilt looked intently at Stephent and saw his face was like the face of an angel.s