使徒行傳 6

揀選七人辦理供給之事

1 那些日子，門徒增多，有說希臘話的猶太人向希伯來人發怨言，因為在日常的供給上忽略了他們的寡婦。 2 十二使徒叫眾門徒來，說：「我們撇下上帝的道去管理飯食，是不合宜的。 3 所以弟兄們，當從你們中間選出七個有好名聲、滿有聖靈和智慧，我們派他們管理這事。 4 至於我們，我們要專注於祈禱和傳道的事奉。」 5 這話使全會眾都喜悅，就揀選了司提反—他是一個滿有信心和聖靈的人；他們又揀選了腓利、伯羅哥羅、尼迦挪、提門、巴米拿，並皈依猶太教的安提阿人尼哥拉， 6 叫他們站在使徒面前，使徒禱告後，就為他們按手。

7 上帝的道興旺起來；在耶路撒冷門徒數目增加得很多，也有許多祭司聽從了這信仰。

司提反被捕

8  司提反滿有恩惠和能力，在民間行了大奇事和神蹟。 9 當時有從稱為「自由人」會堂，並古利奈、亞歷山大會堂來的人，還有些從基利家、亞細亞來的人，起來和司提反辯論。 10 司提反是以智慧和聖靈說話，眾人抵擋不住， 11 就收買人來說：「我們聽見他說褻瀆摩西和上帝的話。」 12 他們又煽動百姓、長老和文士，就突然來捉拿他，把他帶到議會去， 13 設下假見證，說：「這個人不斷地說話，侮辱神聖的地方和律法。 14 我們曾聽見他說，這拿撒勒人耶穌要毀壞這地方，也要改變摩西所交給我們的規矩。」 15 在議會裏坐著的人都定睛看他，見他的面貌好像天使的面貌。

ACTS 6

Seven Leaders for the Church

1 A lot of people were now becoming followers of the Lord. But some of the ones who spoke Greek started complaining about the ones who spoke Aramaic. They complained that the Greek-speaking widows were not given their share when the food supplies were handed out each day.
2 The twelve apostles called the whole group of followers together and said, “We should not give up preaching God's message in order to serve at tables.t 3 My friends, choose seven men who are respected and wise and filled with God's Spirit. We will put them in charge of these things.

4 We can spend our time praying and serving God by preaching.”
5 This suggestion pleased everyone, and they began by choosing Stephen. He had great faith and was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they chose Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and also Nicolaus, who worshiped with the Jewish peoplet in Antioch. 6 These men were brought to the apostles. Then the apostles prayed and placed their hands on the men to show they had been chosen to do this work.

7 God's message spread, and many more people in Jerusalem became followers. Even a large number of priests put their faith in the Lord.

Stephen Is Arrested

8 God gave Stephen the power to work great miracles and wonders among the people. 9 But some men from Cyrene and Alexandria were members of a group who called themselves “Free Men.”t They started arguing with Stephen. Some others from Cilicia and Asia also argued with him. 10 But they were no match for Stephen, who spoke with the great wisdom that the Spirit gave him.

11 So they talked some men into saying, “We heard Stephen say terrible things against Moses and God!”

12 They turned the people and their leaders and the teachers of the Law of Moses against Stephen. Then they all grabbed him and dragged him in front of the council.
13 Some men agreed to tell lies about Stephen, and they said, “This man keeps on saying terrible things about this holy temple and the Law of Moses. 14 We have heard him claim that Jesus from Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses gave us.” 15 t Then all the council members stared at Stephen. They saw that his face looked like the face of an angel.