Acts 4:32-36

New International Version

The Believers Share Their Possessions

³²All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.^(A) ³³With great power the apostles continued to testify^(B) to the resurrection^(C) of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace^(D) was so powerfully at work in them all ³⁴that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them,^(E) brought the money from the sales ³⁵and put it at the apostles’ feet,^(F) and it was distributed to anyone who had need.^(G)

³⁶Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas^(H) (which means “son of encouragement”),

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Acts 6:1-6

New International Version

The Choosing of the Seven

6 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing,^(A) the Hellenistic Jews^[a]^(B) among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows^(C) were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.^(D) ²So the Twelve gathered all the disciples^(E) together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God^(F) in order to wait on tables. ³Brothers and sisters,^(G) choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit^(H) and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them^(I) ⁴and will give our attention to prayer^(J) and the ministry of the word.”

⁵This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen,^(K) a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit;^(L) also Philip,^(M) Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. ⁶They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed^(N) and laid their hands on them.^(O)