6:1 In those days, as the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.
6:2 Then the Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, "It would not be right for us to give up preaching about God to handle financial matters.
6:3 Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty.
6:4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the preaching ministry."
6:5 The proposal pleased the whole company. So they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte from Antioch.
6:6 They had them stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
6:7 So the preaching about God flourished, the number of the disciples in Jerusalem multiplied greatly, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith.
6:8 Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.
6:9 Then some from what is called the Freedmen's Synagogue, composed of both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, came forward and disputed with Stephen.
6:10 But they were unable to stand up against his wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking.
6:11 Then they persuaded some men to say, "We heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God!"
6:12 They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; so they came, dragged him off, and took him to the Sanhedrin.
6:13 They also presented false witnesses who said, "This man does not stop speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law.
6:14 For we heard him say that Jesus, this Nazarene, will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us."
6:15 And all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel."
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