Acts 6
6
The Choosing of the Seven
1In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews#6:1 That is, Jews who had adopted the Greek language and culture among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
5This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
7So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
Stephen Seized
8Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. 9Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen. 10But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.
11Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.”
12So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. 13They produced false witnesses, who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. 14For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”
15All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
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The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®
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Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.
Acts 6
6
1At this time, when the number of believers was increasing rapidly, the Greek-speaking believers started arguing with the Aramaic-speaking believers.#6:1. Literally, “Hellenists” and “Hebrews.” They complained that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.
2The twelve apostles called all the believers together, and told them, “It's not appropriate for us to give up spreading the word of God so we can wait at tables. 3Brothers, choose from among you seven trustworthy men full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will hand this responsibility over to them. 4We ourselves will give our full attention to prayer and the ministry of spreading the word.”
5Everybody was happy with the arrangement, and they chose Stephen (a man full of trust in God and of the Holy Spirit), Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus (originally a Jewish convert from Antioch). 6These men were presented to the apostles who prayed for them and placed their hands on them in blessing. 7The word of God continued to spread, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem greatly increased, with a large number of priests committing themselves to trusting in Jesus.
8Stephen, full of grace and God's power, performed wonderful miracles among the people. 9But some started arguing with him. They were from the synagogue called “the Free,”#6:9. Presumably a synagogue made up of former slaves. as well as Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and people from Cilicia and Asia Minor. 10But they weren't able to stand against Stephen's wisdom or the Spirit with which he was speaking. 11So they bribed some men to say, “We heard this man blaspheme Moses, and God too!”
12They stirred up the people, and together with the elders and the teachers of the law, they came and arrested him. They brought him before the council, 13and called false witnesses who testified against him.
“This man is always slandering the holy Temple#6:13. Literally, “this holy place,” also in 6:14. and the law,” they said. 14“We've heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the Temple, and will change the laws#6:14. Also translated “customs”; however in the context this has far more to do with legal and ceremonial requirements. we received from Moses.”
15Everyone sitting on the council looked closely at Stephen, and his face shone like the face of an angel.
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Dr. Jonathan Gallagher. Released under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 Unported License. Version 4.3. For corrections send email to jonathangallagherfbv@gmail.com