Acts 6
The Choosing of the Seven
(1 Timothy 3:8–13)
¹ In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews 1 because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
² So the Twelve summoned all the disciples and said, “It is unacceptable for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables.
³ Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will assign this responsibility to them
⁴ and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
⁵ This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, as well as Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.2
⁶ They presented these seven to the apostles,3 who prayed and laid their hands on them.
⁷ So the word of God continued to spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem grew rapidly, and a great number of priests became obedient to the faith.
The Arrest of Stephen
⁸ Now Stephen, who was full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.
⁹ But resistance arose from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and men from the provinces of Cilicia and Asia.4 They disputed with Stephen,
¹⁰ but they could not stand up to his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.
¹¹ Then they prompted some men to say, “We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.”
¹² So they stirred up the people, elders, and scribes and confronted Stephen. They seized him and brought him before the Sanhedrin,5
¹³ where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.
¹⁴ For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”
¹⁵ All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
6:1 Literally the Hellenists began to grumble against the Hebrews ↩︎
6:5 Literally and Nicolas, a convert of Antioch ↩︎
6:6 Literally—whom they set before the apostles, ↩︎
6:9 Literally and those from Cilicia and Asia; the Roman Province of Asia was located in what is now western Turkey. ↩︎
6:12 Or the Council; also in verse 15 ↩︎