Acts 6

Holman Christian Standard Bible

Seven Chosen to Serve

6 In those days, as the number of the disciples^(A) was multiplying, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews^[a] against the Hebraic Jews^[b] that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.^{(B) 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.^{[c] 3} Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation,^(C) full of the Spirit^(D) and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty. ⁴ But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the preaching ministry.” ⁵ The proposal pleased the whole company. So they chose Stephen,^(E) a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte from Antioch.^{(F) 6} They had them stand before the apostles, who prayed^(G) and laid their hands on^(H) them.^[d]

⁷ So the preaching about God flourished, the number of the disciples in Jerusalem multiplied^(I) greatly, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith.

Stephen Accused of Blasphemy

⁸ Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. 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. ¹⁰ But they were unable to stand up against his wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking.

¹¹ Then they persuaded some men to say, “We heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God!”^{(J) 12} They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; so they came, dragged him off, and took him to the Sanhedrin. ¹³ They also presented false witnesses who said, “This man does not stop speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law.^{(K) 14} For we heard him say that Jesus, this Nazarene, will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”^{(L) 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.