Acts of the Apostles 6
6
Selection of seven to serve
1About that time, while the number of disciples continued to increase, a complaint arose. Greek-speaking disciples accused the Aramaic-speaking disciples because their widows were being overlooked in the daily food service. 2The Twelve called a meeting of all the disciples and said, “It isn’t right for us to set aside proclamation of God’s word in order to serve tables. 3Brothers and sisters, carefully choose seven well-respected men from among you. They must be well-respected and endowed by the Spirit with exceptional wisdom. We will put them in charge of this concern. 4As for us, we will devote ourselves to prayer and the service of proclaiming the word.” 5This proposal pleased the entire community. They selected Stephen, a man endowed by the Holy Spirit with exceptional faith, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6The community presented these seven to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7God’s word continued to grow. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased significantly. Even a large group of priests embraced the faith.
Arrest and murder of Stephen
8Stephen, who stood out among the believers for the way God’s grace was at work in his life and for his exceptional endowment with divine power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. 9Opposition arose from some who belonged to the so-called Synagogue of Former Slaves. Members from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and Asia entered into debate with Stephen. 10However, they couldn’t resist the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke. 11Then they secretly enticed some people to claim, “We heard him insult Moses and God.” 12They stirred up the people, the elders, and the legal experts. They caught Stephen, dragged him away, and brought him before the Jerusalem Council. 13Before the council, they presented false witnesses who testified, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and the Law. 14In fact, we heard him say that this man Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and alter the customary practices Moses gave us.” 15Everyone seated in the council stared at Stephen, and they saw that his face was radiant, just like an angel’s.
Currently Selected:
Acts of the Apostles 6: CEB
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
2011 Common English Bible. All rights reserved.
Acts 6
6
The Seven Helpers
1#Ac 4:35; 2:41Now in those days, as the disciples were multiplied, there was murmuring among the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were overlooked in the daily distribution. 2So the twelve called the multitude of disciples together and said, “It is not reasonable for us to leave the word of God and serve tables. 3#Dt 1:13; Ac 2:4Brothers, look among yourselves for seven men who are known to be full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint over this duty. 4#Ac 1:14But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
5#Ac 11:24; 6:3And what was said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, who was a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Procorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6#Ac 1:24; 8:17whom they presented before the apostles. And when they had prayed, they placed their hands on them.
7#Ac 12:24; 19:20So the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples grew rapidly in Jerusalem, and a great number of the priests were obedient to the faith.
The Arrest of Stephen
8Now Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. 9#Mt 27:32; Ac 15:23Then some men rose up from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and of Asia), disputing with Stephen. 10#Lk 21:15But they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.
11#Mt 26:59–60Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”
12So they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and came upon him and seized him and led him to the Sanhedrin, 13#Ac 6:11; 21:28and set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law. 14#Da 9:26; Ac 15:1For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses handed down to us.”
15#Ecc 8:1All who sat in the Sanhedrin, gazing at him, saw his face as 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
Military Bible Association