1Now in those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, a grumbling arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.
2So the Twelve summoned the whole group of 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 of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this task.
4But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.
5And this proposal pleased the whole group, and 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.
6They set these men before the apostles, and after praying, they laid their hands on them.
7And the word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem multiplied greatly, and a large group of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.
8Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.
9But some men rose up from the synagogue called ‘of the Freedmen’—which included Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia—and began debating with Stephen.
10But they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he was speaking.
11Then they secretly instigated men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”
12And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes. Then they came upon him, seized him, and brought him before the Sanhedrin.
13And they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking words against this holy place and the law.”
14For we have heard him say that this Jesus the Nazarene will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.
15And gazing at him, all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
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