Acts 6
6
The Seven Helpers
1Some time later, as the number of disciples kept growing, there was a quarrel between the Greek-speaking Jews and the native Jews. The Greek-speaking Jews claimed that their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of funds. 2So the twelve apostles called the whole group of believers together and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the preaching of God's word in order to handle finances. 3So then, brothers and sisters, choose seven men among you who are known to be full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, and we will put them in charge of this matter. 4We ourselves, then, will give our full time to prayer and the work of preaching.”
5The whole group was pleased with the apostles' proposal, so they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a Gentile from Antioch who had earlier been converted to Judaism. 6The group presented them to the apostles, who prayed and placed their hands on them.
7And so the word of God continued to spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem grew larger and larger, and a great number of priests accepted the faith.
The Arrest of Stephen
8Stephen, a man richly blessed by God and full of power, performed great miracles and wonders among the people. 9But he was opposed by some men who were members of the synagogue of the Freedmen#6.9 freedmen: These were Jews who had been slaves, but had bought or been given their freedom. (as it was called), which included Jews from Cyrene and Alexandria. They and other Jews from the provinces of Cilicia and Asia started arguing with Stephen. 10But the Spirit gave Stephen such wisdom that when he spoke, they could not refute him. 11So they bribed some men to say, “We heard him speaking against Moses and against God!” 12In this way they stirred up the people, the elders, and the teachers of the Law. They seized Stephen and took him before the Council. 13Then they brought in some men to tell lies about him. “This man,” they said, “is always talking against our sacred Temple and the Law of Moses. 14We heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will tear down the Temple and change all the customs which have come down to us from Moses!” 15All those sitting in the Council fixed their eyes on Stephen and saw that his face looked like the face of an angel.
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Good News Bible. Scripture taken from the Good News Bible (r) (Today's English Version Second Edition, UK/British Edition). Copyright © 1992 British & Foreign Bible Society. Used by permission.
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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The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.