The Choosing of the Seven
(1 Timothy 3:8–13)

1And during those days, the disciples multiplying, there was a murmuring of the Hellenists against the Hebrews, that their widows were being neglected in the daily ministration. 2And the twelve calling to them the multitude of the disciples, said, It is not pleasing that we, leaving the word of God, serve tables. 3But brethren, look out seven men from you of good report, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint over this interest; 4and we will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word. 5And the word was pleasing before all the multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, 6the Antiochian proselyte, whom they placed before the apostles, and having prayed, they placed their hands on them.

7And the word of God increased, and the number of the disciples multiplied exceedingly in Jerusalem, and a great multitude of the priests were obedient unto the faith.

The Arrest of Stephen

8And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and miracles among the people. 9And certain ones of the synagogues, called Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia, stood up disputing with Stephen, 10and they were not able to resist the wisdom and spirit with which he was speaking. 11Then they bribed men, saying, that we have heard him speaking words blasphemous against Moses and God. 12And they excited the people and the elders and scribes, and coming upon him, seized him, and led him into the council, 13and they raised up false witnesses, saying, This man does not cease speaking words against this holy place and the law; 14for we have heard him saying, that this Jesus the Nazarene will destroy this place, and change the customs which Moses delivered unto us. 15And all sitting in the council, having fixed their eyes on him, saw his face as the face of an angel.