The Acts of the Apostles

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- Chapter 6 -

(1 Timothy 3:8–13)

In those days, as the number of disciples was increasing, there occurred a murmuring of the Greeks against the Hebrews, because their widows were treated with disdain in the daily ministration.(a)

And so the twelve, calling together the multitude of the disciples, said: “It is not fair for us to leave behind the Word of God to serve at tables also.

Therefore, brothers, search among yourselves for seven men of good testimony, filled with the Holy Spirit and with wisdom, whom we may appoint over this work.

Yet truly, we will be continually in prayer and in the ministry of the Word.”

And the plan pleased the entire multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and with the Holy Spirit, and Philip and Prochorus and Nicanor and Timon and Parmenas and Nicolas, a new arrival from Antioch.(b)

These they set before the sight of the Apostles, and while praying, they imposed hands on them.

And the Word of the Lord was increasing, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem was multiplied exceedingly. And even a large group of the priests were obedient to the faith.

The Arrest of Stephen

Then Stephen, filled with grace and fortitude, wrought great signs and miracles among the people.

But certain ones, from the synagogue of the so-called Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those who were from Cilicia and Asia rose up and were disputing with Stephen.

But they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.

Then they suborned men who were to claim that they had heard him speaking words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.

And thus did they stir up the people and the elders and the scribes. And hurrying together, they seized him and brought him to the council.

And they set up false witnesses, who said: “This man does not cease to speak words against the holy place and the law.

For we have heard him saying that this Jesus the Nazarene will destroy this place and will change the traditions, which Moses handed down to us.”

And all those who were sitting in the council, gazing at him, saw his face, as if it had become the face of an Angel.

Footnotes

(a)6:1 Greeks:So they called the Jews that were born and brought up in Greece.(Challoner)

(b)6:5 It is this Nicolas whom the Nicolaitans claim was the inspiration for their heretical group, but he himself was never a member, nor the founder, of the group, nor did he teach their heresies.(Conte)

(1 Timothy 3:8–13)

Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists(a) against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service.

The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables.

Therefore, select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.”

These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch,

whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

The word of God increased and the number of the disciples greatly multiplied in Jerusalem. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

The Arrest of Stephen

Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.

But some of those who were of the synagogue called “The Libertines”, and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen.

They weren’t able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.

Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”

They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him, then brought him in to the council,

and set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law.

For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us.”

All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel.

Footnotes

(a)6:1 The Hellenists used Greek language and culture, even though they were also of Hebrew descent.