Selection of the Seven

1Now in those days, while the disciples were multiplying in number, there was grumbling from the [†]Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. 2So the twelve summoned the [†]congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not pleasing to God for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. 3Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this need. 4But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the service of the word.” 5And this word pleased the whole [†]congregation, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a [†]proselyte from Antioch. 6And these they stood before the apostles, and after praying, they laid their hands on them.

7And the word of God kept on spreading, and the number of the disciples continued to multiply greatly in Jerusalem, and a great [†]many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

Stephen Accused of Blasphemy

8And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and [†]signs among the people. 9But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and [†]Asia, rose up and were arguing with Stephen. 10But they were unable to oppose the wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking. 11Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and they came up to him, dragged him away, and brought him to the Sanhedrin. 13And they put forward false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases speaking words against this holy place and the Law; 14for we have heard him say that this Jesus the Nazarene will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us.” 15And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin saw his face like the face of an angel.