CHAPTER 6
In
those
days when
the
disciples
were increasing in number,
the
Grecian Jews
began
to grumble
against
the
Hebraic Jews,
because
their
widows
were being overlooked
in
the
daily
distribution of food .
So
the
Twelve
summoned
all
the
disciples
and said,
“It is
unacceptable
for us
to neglect
the
word
of God
in order to wait on
tables.
Therefore,
brothers,
select
from
among you
seven
men
confirmed to be
full
of the Spirit
and
wisdom.
We will appoint
this
responsibility
to them
This
proposal
pleased
the
whole
group.
They chose
Stephen,
a man
full
of faith
and
of the Holy
Spirit,
as well as
Philip,
Prochorus,
Nicanor,
Timon,
Parmenas,
and
Nicolas
from Antioch,
a convert to Judaism.
So
the
word
of God
continued to spread.
The
number
of
disciples
in
Jerusalem
grew
rapidly,
and
a great
number
of
priests
became obedient
to the
faith.
But
resistance arose
from
what
was known as
the Synagogue
of the
Freedmen,
including
Cyrenians,
Alexandrians,
and
men
from
the provinces of Cilicia
and
Asia.
They began to argue
with
Stephen,
Then
they prompted
some men
to say,
“We heard
Stephen
speak
words
of blasphemy
against
Moses
and
against God.”
So
they stirred up
the
people
and
elders
and
scribes.
They seized
Stephen
and
brought him
before
the
Sanhedrin.
They presented
FALSE
witnesses
who said,
“This
man
never stops
speaking
against
this
holy
place
and
against the
Law.
For
we have heard
him
say
that
Jesus
of
Nazareth
will destroy
this
place
and
change
the
customs
that
Moses
handed down
to us.”
All
who
were sitting
in
the
Sanhedrin
looked intently
at
Stephen,
and they saw that
his
face
was like
the face
of an angel.