Acts 6
6
Seven Chosen to Serve
1Now in those days, #Acts 2:41; 4:4when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the #Acts 9:29; 11:20Hellenists, because their widows were neglected #Acts 4:35; 11:29in the daily distribution. 2Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, #Ex. 18:17“It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3Therefore, brethren, #Deut. 1:13; 1 Tim. 3:7seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this #Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:8–13business; 4but we #Acts 2:42will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
5And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, #Acts 6:3; 11:24a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and #Acts 8:5, 26; 21:8Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and #Rev. 2:6, 15Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6whom they set before the apostles; and #Acts 1:24when they had prayed, #Num. 8:10; 27:18; Deut. 34:9; (Mark 5:23; Acts 8:17; 9:17; 13:3; 19:6; 1 Tim. 4:14; 2 Tim. 1:6); Heb. 6:2they laid hands on them.
7Then #Acts 12:24; Col. 1:6the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many #John 12:42of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Stephen Accused of Blasphemy
8And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great #Acts 2:43; 5:12; 8:15; 14:3wonders and signs among the people. 9Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. 10And #Ex. 4:12; Is. 54:17; Luke 21:15they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. 11#1 Kin. 21:10, 13; Matt. 26:59, 60Then 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 upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council. 13They also set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; 14#Acts 10:38; 25:8for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” 15And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.
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Acts 6: NKJV
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The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.
Acts 6
6
Seven Chosen to Serve
1In those days, as the disciples#Mt 9:10; Mk 10:10; Lk 6:1; Jn 6:3; Ac 9:1,10,19,25–26; 21:4,16 were increasing in number, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.#Ac 2:41; 4:4,35; 5:14; 9:29,39; 11:20 2The Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, “It would not be right for us to give up preaching the word of God to wait on tables. 3Brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation,#Dt 1:13; 1Tm 3:7 full of the Spirit#Lk 4:1; Ac 7:55; 11:19,24 and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty. 4But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5This proposal pleased the whole company. So they chose Stephen,#Ac 6:8–9; 11:19; 22:20 a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a convert from Antioch.#Mt 23:15; Ac 8:5,26; 21:8 6They had them stand before the apostles, who prayed#Ac 1:24; 8:17; 13:3; 2Tm 1:6 and laid their hands on#Nm 8:10; Ac 9:17; 1Tm 4:14 them.
7So the word of God spread, the disciples in Jerusalem increased#Ac 12:24; 19:20; Col 1:6 greatly in number, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith.
Stephen Accused of Blasphemy
8Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. 9Opposition arose, however, from some members of the Freedmen’s Synagogue, composed of both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, and they began to argue with Stephen. 10But they were unable to stand up against his wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking.
11Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God.”#1Kg 21:10,13; Mt 26:59–60 12They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; so they came, seized him, and took him to the Sanhedrin. 13They also presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and the law.#Mt 24:15; Ac 7:58; 21:28; 25:8 14For we heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”#Dn 9:26; Ac 15:1; 21:21; 26:3; 28:17 15And all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
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