Study Desk

The Choosing of the Seven

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing,^(a) the Hellenistic Jews^[a](b) among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows^(c) were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.^(d)

So the Twelve gathered all the disciples^(e) together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God^(f) in order to wait on tables.

Brothers and sisters,^(g) choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit^(h) and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them⁽ⁱ⁾

and will give our attention to prayer^(j) and the ministry of the word."

This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen,^(k) a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit;^(l) also Philip,^(m) Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.

They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed⁽ⁿ⁾ and laid their hands on them.^(o)

So the word of God spread.^(p) The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly,^(q) and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, performed great wonders and signs^(r) among the people.

Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene^(s) and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia^(t) and Asia^(u)—who began to argue with Stephen.

But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.^(v)

Then they secretly^(w) persuaded some men to say, "We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God."^(x)

So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin.^(y)

They produced false witnesses,^(z) who testified, "This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place^(aa) and against the law.

For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place^(ab) and change the customs Moses handed down to us."^(ac)

All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin^(ad) looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.