Act6:1 Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food.
Act6:2 So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.
Act6:3 "Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.
Act6:4 "But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
Act6:5 The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch.
Act6:6 And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.
Act6:7 The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.
Act6:8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.
Act6:9 But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and argued with Stephen.
Act6:10 But they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.
Act6:11 Then they secretly induced men to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God."
Act6:12 And they stirred up the people, the elders and the scribes, and they came up to him and dragged him away and brought him before the Council.
Act6:13 They put forward false witnesses who said, "This man incessantly speaks against this holy place and the Law;
Act6:14 for we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us."
Act6:15 And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel.