Seven Chosen to Serve

1In those days, as the number of the disciplesa was multiplying, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jewsb against the Hebraic Jewsc that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.d 2Then the Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, “It would not be right for us to give up preaching about God to handle financial matters.e 3Therefore, •brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation,f full of the Spiritg and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty. 4But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the preaching ministry.” 5The proposal pleased the whole company. So they chose Stephen,h a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a •proselyte from Antioch.i 6They had them stand before the apostles, who prayedj and laid their hands onk them.l

7So the preaching about God flourished, the number of the disciples in Jerusalem multipliedm greatly, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith.

Stephen Accused of Blasphemy

8Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. 9Then some from what is called the Freedmen’s •Synagogue, composed of both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and •Asia, came forward and disputed with Stephen. 10But they were unable to stand up against his wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking.

11Then they persuaded some men to say, “We heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God! ”n 12They stirred up the people, the elders, and the •scribes; so they came, dragged him off, and took him to the •Sanhedrin. 13They also presented false witnesses who said, “This man does not stop speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law.o 14For we heard him say that Jesus, this •Nazarene, will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”p 15And all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.