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

1In those dayes whan the nombre of the disciples increased, there arose a grudge amoge the Grekes agaynst the Hebrues, because their wyddowes were not loked vpon in the daylie handreachinge. 2Then the twolue called the multitude of the disciples together, and sayde: It is not mete that we shulde leaue the worde of God, and to serue at the tables. 3Wherfore brethren, loke out amonge you seue men, that are of honeste reporte, and full of the holy goost and wyssdome, whom we maye appoynte to this nedefull busynes. 4But we wil geue oure selues vnto prayer, and to the mynistracion of the worde of God. 5And the sayenge pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Steuen, a man full of fayth and of the holy goost, and Philippe, and Procorus, and Nicanor, and Thimon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas the Proselite of Antioche. 6These they set before ye Apostles, and they prayed, and layed their handes vpon them.

7And the worde of God increased, and the nombre of the disciples multiplied greatly at Ierusalem. And there were many prestes also obedient vnto the fayth.

The Arrest of Stephen

8Steuen full of faith and power, dyd wonders and greate tokens amonge the people. 9Then arose there certayne of the synagoge, which is called (the synagoge) of ye Libertynes, & of the Cyrenites, and of the Alexadrines, and of the yt were of Celicia and Asia, & disputed with Steue, 10and they coulde not resiste the wyssdome and the sprete, out of the which he spake. 11Then sent they in certayne men, that sayde: We haue herde him speake blasphemous wordes agaynst Moses, and agaynst God. 12And they moued the people, and the Elders and the scrybes, and came vpon him, & caught him, 13and brought him before the councell, and set false witnesses there, which sayde: This man ceasseth not to speake blasphemous wordes agaynst this holy place and the lawe. 14For we herde him saye: Iesus of Nazareth shall destroye this place, and chaunge the ordinaunces which Moses gaue vs. 15And all they that sat in the councell, loked vpo him and sawe his face as the face of an angell.