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.
Currently Selected:
Acts 6: FBV
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Dr. Jonathan Gallagher. Released under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 Unported License. Version 4.3. For corrections send email to jonathangallagherfbv@gmail.com
Acts 6
6
1 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.
2 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.
3 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.
4 Yet truly, we will be continually in prayer and in the ministry of the Word."
5 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.
6 These they set before the sight of the Apostles, and while praying, they imposed hands on them.
7 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.
8 Then Stephen, filled with grace and fortitude, wrought great signs and miracles among the people.
9 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.
10 But they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.
11 Then they suborned men who were to claim that they had heard him speaking words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.
12 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.
13 And they set up false witnesses, who said: "This man does not cease to speak words against the holy place and the law.
14 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."
15 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.
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in