Acts 6

Now in those days, when the disciples were multiplying, a complaint by the Hellenists happened against the Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving. \*

So summoning the multitude of the disciples, the Twelve said, “It is not acceptable for us to leave behind the word of God to serve tables.

So brothers, choose from among yourselves seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this task.

But we will continue in prayer and in the ministry of the word.” \*

And the statement was pleasing before the whole multitude. So they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte from Antioch.

They brought them before the apostles, and having prayed, they placed their hands upon them. \*

So the word of God kept spreading, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly, and a large crowd of the priests became obedient to the faith. \*

Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.

But there arose some people, the ones from the synagogue that is called Freedmen, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia. They were debating with Stephen. \*

But they were not able to stand against the wisdom and the Spirit by whom he spoke.

Then they bribed men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” \*

They also stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and approaching him, they seized him and brought him to the Sanhedrin.

And they brought false witnesses, saying, “This man does not stop speaking words against the holy place and the law.

For we have heard him say that this Jesus the Nazarene will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”

And looking intently at him, everyone sitting in the Sanhedrin saw his face as the face of an angel. \*