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Seven Chosen to Serve

¹ In those days, as the disciples^(C1) were increasing in number, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.^{(C2) 2} The Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, “It would not be right for us to give up preaching the word of God to wait on tables. ³ Brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation,^(C1) full of the Spirit^(C2) and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty. ⁴ But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” ⁵ This proposal pleased the whole company. So they chose Stephen,^(C1) a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a convert from Antioch.^{(C2) 6} They had them stand before the apostles, who prayed^(C1) and laid their hands on^(C2) them.

⁷ So the word of God spread, the disciples in Jerusalem increased^(C1) greatly in number, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith.

Stephen Accused of Blasphemy

⁸ Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. ⁹ Opposition arose, however, from some members of the Freedmen’s Synagogue, composed of both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, and they began to argue with Stephen. ¹⁰ But they were unable to stand up against his wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking.

¹¹ Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God.”^{(C1) 12} They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; so they came, seized him, and took him to the Sanhedrin. ¹³ They also presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and the law.^{(C1) 14} For we heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”^{(C1) 15} And all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.