Act 6 | HCSB | STEP | 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 .

Acts 6

Seven Chosen to Serve

1 In those days, as the number of the disciples ^a was multiplying, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews ^{▼▼Jews of Gk language and culture} against the Hebraic Jews ^{▼▼Jews of Aram or Hb language and culture} that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution. ^d 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. ^{▼▼Or to serve tables} 3 Therefore, ^{▼▼brother(s): The Greek word adelphoi can be used as a reference to males only or to groups that include males and females. It is the context of each usage that determines the proper meaning.}brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation, ^g full of the Spirit ^h 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, ⁱ a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a ^{▼▼proselyte: A person from another race or religion who went through a prescribed ritual to become a Jew}proselyte from Antioch. ^k 6 They had them stand before the apostles, who prayed ^l and laid their hands on ^m them. ^{▼▼The laying on of hands signified the prayer of blessing for the beginning of a new ministry.}

7 So the preaching about God flourished, the number of the disciples in Jerusalem multiplied ^o 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(s): A place where the Jewish people met for prayer, worship and teaching of the Scriptures}Synagogue, composed of both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and ^{▼▼Asia: A Roman province that is now part of modern Turkey; it did not refer to the modern continent of Asia.}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!” ^r 12 They stirred up the people, the elders, and the ^{▼▼scribe(s): A professional group in Judaism that copied the law of Moses and interpreted it, especially in legal cases}scribes; so they came, dragged him off, and took him to the ^{▼▼Sanhedrin: The supreme council of Judaism with 70 members, patterned after Moses' 70 elders}Sanhedrin. 13 They also presented false witnesses who said, “This man does not stop speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law. ^u 14 For we heard him say that Jesus, this ^{▼▼Nazarene: A person from Nazareth; growing up in Nazareth was an aspect of the Messiah's humble beginnings; Jn 1:46.}Nazarene, will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.” ^w 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.