AND
in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a
murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were
neglected in the daily ministration.
2 Then the
twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and
serve tables.
3 Wherefore,
brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy
Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this
business.
4 But we
will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
5 And the
saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith
and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and
Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
6 Whom
they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their
hands on them.
7 And the
word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem
greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
8 And
Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the
people.
9 Then
there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of
the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and
of them of Cilicia and of Asia,
disputing with Stephen.
10 And
they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
11 Then
they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak
blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
12 And
they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him,
and caught him, and brought him to the council,
13 And
set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy
place, and the law:
14 For we
have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and
shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.
15 And
all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on
him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
