Acts 6
6
Seven Leaders for the Church
1A lot of people were now becoming followers of the Lord. But some of the ones who spoke Greek started complaining about the ones who spoke Aramaic. They complained that the Greek-speaking widows were not given their share when the food supplies were handed out each day.
2The twelve apostles called the whole group of followers together and said, “We should not give up preaching God's message in order to serve at tables.#6.2 to serve at tables: This may mean either that they were in charge of handing out food to the widows or that they were in charge of the money, since the Greek word “table” may also mean “bank.” 3My friends, choose seven men who are respected and wise and filled with God's Spirit. We will put them in charge of these things. 4We can spend our time praying and serving God by preaching.”
5This suggestion pleased everyone, and they began by choosing Stephen. He had great faith and was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they chose Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and also Nicolaus, who worshiped with the Jewish people#6.5 worshiped with the Jewish people: This translates the Greek word “proselyte” that means a Gentile who had accepted the Jewish religion. in Antioch. 6These men were brought to the apostles. Then the apostles prayed and placed their hands on the men to show they had been chosen to do this work. 7God's message spread, and many more people in Jerusalem became followers. Even a large number of priests put their faith in the Lord.
Stephen Is Arrested
8God gave Stephen the power to work great miracles and wonders among the people. 9But some men from Cyrene and Alexandria were members of a group who called themselves “Free Men.”#6.9 Free Men: A group of Jewish men who had once been slaves, but had been freed. They started arguing with Stephen. Some others from Cilicia and Asia also argued with him. 10But they were no match for Stephen, who spoke with the great wisdom that the Spirit gave him. 11So they talked some men into saying, “We heard Stephen say terrible things against Moses and God!”
12They turned the people and their leaders and the teachers of the Law of Moses against Stephen. Then they all grabbed him and dragged him in front of the council.
13Some men agreed to tell lies about Stephen, and they said, “This man keeps on saying terrible things about this holy temple and the Law of Moses. 14We have heard him claim that Jesus from Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses gave us.” 15#4 Macc 9.22. Then all the council members stared at Stephen. They saw that his face looked like the face of an angel.
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Acts 6: CEV
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Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.
Ma`asei (Acts) 6
6
1And in those days, when the taught ones were increasing, there arose a grumbling against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were overlooked in the daily serving.
2So the twelve summoned the group of the taught ones and said, “It is not pleasing for us to leave the Word of Elohim and serve tables.
3“Therefore, brothers, seek out from among you seven men who are known to be filled with the Set-apart Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint for this duty,
4“but we shall give ourselves continually to prayer and to serving the Word.
5And the word pleased the entire group. And they chose Stephanos, a man filled with belief and the Set-apart Spirit, and Philip, and Prochoros, and Nikanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nikolaos, a convert from Antioch,
6whom they set before the emissaries. And when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.
7And the Word of Elohim spread, and the number of the taught ones increased greatly in Yerushalayim, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the belief.
8And Stephanos, filled with belief and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.
9But some of those of the so-called Congregation of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Kilikia and Asia), rose up, disputing with Stephanos,
10but they were unable to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.
11Then they instigated men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Mosheh and Elohim.”
12And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, so they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council.
13And they set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this set-apart place and the Torah,
14for we have heard him saying that this יהושע of Natsareth shall overthrow this place and change the institutes which Mosheh delivered unto us.”
15And all who sat in the council, looking steadily at him, saw his face was like the face of a heavenly messenger.
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