Acts 6
6
The Disciples Choose Seven Men to Help the Apostles
1At that time, as the number of disciples grew, Greek-speaking Jews complained about the Hebrew-speaking Jews. The Greek-speaking Jews claimed that the widows among them were neglected every day when food and other assistance was distributed.
2The twelve apostles called all the disciples together and told them, “It’s not right for us to give up God’s word in order to distribute food. 3So, brothers and sisters, choose seven men whom the people know are spiritually wise. We will put them in charge of this problem. 4However, we will devote ourselves to praying and to serving in ways that are related to the word.”
5The suggestion pleased the whole group. So they chose Stephen, who was a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and they chose Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, who had converted to Judaism in the city of Antioch. 6The disciples had these men stand in front of the apostles, who prayed and placed their hands on these seven men.
7God’s word continued to spread, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem grew very large. A large number of priests accepted the faith.
Stephen Is Arrested
8Stephen was a man filled with God’s favor #6:8 Or “grace.” and power. He did amazing things and performed miracles. 9⌞One day⌟ some men from the cities of Cyrene and Alexandria and the provinces of Cilicia and Asia started an argument with Stephen. They belonged to a synagogue called Freedmen’s Synagogue. 10They couldn’t argue with Stephen because he spoke with the wisdom that the Spirit had given him. 11Then they bribed some men to lie.
These men said, “We heard him slander Moses and God.” 12The liars stirred up trouble among the people, the leaders, and the experts in Moses’ Teachings. So they went to Stephen, took him by force, and brought him in front of the Jewish council. 13Some witnesses stood up and lied about Stephen. They said, “This man never stops saying bad things about the holy place and Moses’ Teachings. 14We heard him say that Jesus from Nazareth will destroy the temple and change the customs that Moses gave us.”
15Everyone who sat in the council stared at him and saw that his face looked like an angel’s face.
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GOD'S WORD® Translation ©1995, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020 by God's Word to the Nations Mission Society. 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.
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