Acts 6

The First Seven Deacons Appointed

1 Now in these days, as the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose by the Greek-speaking Jewst against the Hebraic Jewst becauset their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.2 So the twelve summoned the community of disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we neglect the word of God to serve tables.3 So, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation,t full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we will put in charge of this need.4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”5 And the statement pleased the whole group, and they chose Stephen (a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit), and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus (a convert from Antioch),

6 whom they stood before the apostles. And they prayed and placed their hands on them.
7 And the word of God kept spreading, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem was increasing greatly, and a large number of priests began obeying the faith.

Stephen Arrested

8 Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.9 But some of those from the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called),t both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia,t stood up and disputed with Stephen.10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.11 Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God!”12 And they incited the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came up and seized him and brought him to the Sanhedrin.t13 And they put forward false witnesses who said, “This man does not stop speaking words against the holy placet and the law!14 For we have heard him saying that this Nazarene Jesus will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”

15 And as they looked intently at him, all those who were sitting in the Sanhedrint saw his face was like the face of an angel.

Acts 6

1 Now in these days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmuring of the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.2 And the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not fit that we should forsake the word of God, and serve tables.3 Look ye out therefore, brethren, from among you seven men of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.4 But we will continue stedfastly in prayer, and in the ministry of the word.5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus a proselyte of Antioch;6 whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands upon them.7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, wrought great wonders and signs among the people.9 But there arose certain of them that were of the synagogue called the synagogue of the Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen.10 And they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spake.11 Then they suborned men, who said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and seized him, and brought him into the council,13 and set up false witnesses, who said, This man ceaseth not to speak 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 customs which Moses delivered unto us.15 And all that sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.