Chapter 6

¹Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was increasing, a complaint arose from the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.

²So the Twelve gathered all the disciples and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve tables.

³Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this task.

⁴But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

⁵This proposal pleased the whole group, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte from Antioch.

⁶They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

⁷The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith.

⁸Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.

⁹But some from the synagogue of the Freedmen, as it was called, and of the Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen.

¹⁰They could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.

¹¹Then they secretly persuaded some to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”

¹²They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him before the council.

¹³They set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and the law.

¹⁴For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”

¹⁵All who sat in the council, looking intently at him, saw his face like the face of an angel. Acts Chapter 7 Acts Chapter 7 – Veritable King James Version (VKJV)