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Therefore, brethren, we direct you to select from among you seven[a] men of good reputation, men filled with the Spirit and with wisdom, to whom we may assign this task. We will then be able to devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

The entire community found this proposal to be acceptable, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch who was a convert to Judaism.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 6:3 Twelve . . . seven: the Twelve are representative of the twelve tribes of Israel; the Seven represent the Gentiles dwelling in Canaan (see Acts 13:19; Deut 7:1).

Brothers and sisters,(A) choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit(B) and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them(C) and will give our attention to prayer(D) and the ministry of the word.”

This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen,(E) a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit;(F) also Philip,(G) Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.

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