Acts 6
Disciples’ Literal New Testament
When Problems Arise In Serving The Needy In The Church, Deacons Are Chosen To Oversee It
6 Now during these days, while the disciples were multiplying, grumbling arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews[a] because their widows were being overlooked[b] in the daily ministry [of food]. 2 And the twelve, having summoned the multitude of the disciples, said, “It is not pleasing[c] that we, having left-behind the word of God, should be serving tables[d]. 3 But brothers, look-for[e] seven men from-among you being attested, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we will put-in-charge[f] over this need[g]. 4 And we will devote-ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the word”. 5 And the statement was pleasing in the sight of the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen (a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit), and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas (a proselyte from Antioch), 6 whom they stood before the apostles. And having prayed, they laid their hands on them. 7 And the word of God was growing. And the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was being multiplied greatly. And a large crowd of the priests were obeying the faith.
Stephen Is Seized While Doing Miracles And Proclaiming Christ With Irresistible Wisdom
8 Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. 9 But some of the ones from the synagogue being called “of Freedmen[h]”— both[i] Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and the ones from Cilicia and Asia— rose-up, debating[j] with Stephen. 10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. 11 Then they secretly-induced[k] men [to begin] saying that “We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God”. 12 And they stirred-up the people and the elders and the scribes. And having suddenly-come-upon him, they seized him and brought him to the Sanhedrin. 13 And they put-forward false witnesses, saying, “This man does not cease speaking words against this holy place and the Law. 14 For we have heard him saying that this Jesus the Nazarene will tear-down this place, and change the customs which Moses handed-down to us”. 15 And having looked-intently at him, all the ones sitting in the council [chamber] saw his face was like a face of an angel.
Footnotes
- Acts 6:1 Hellenists... Hebrews. That is, the Greek-speaking Jewish Christians... the Judean Hebrew Jewish Christians.
- Acts 6:1 Or, neglected.
- Acts 6:2 Or, not a pleasing thing.
- Acts 6:2 That is, food tables, dispersing food; or, money tables, dispersing money for food.
- Acts 6:3 Or, look-at, examine; and thus, select.
- Acts 6:3 Or, appoint, set.
- Acts 6:3 Or, function, task, business.
- Acts 6:9 That is, Hellenistic Jewish slaves who were freed and then returned to Israel.
- Acts 6:9 Or, and. Luke may be naming five, two, or one synagogue.
- Acts 6:9 Or, disputing.
- Acts 6:11 Or, suborned.
Acts 6
New King James Version
Seven Chosen to Serve
6 Now in those days, (A)when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the (B)Hellenists,[a] because their widows were neglected (C)in the daily distribution. 2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, (D)“It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, (E)seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this (F)business; 4 but we (G)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, (H)a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and (I)Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and (J)Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and (K)when they had prayed, (L)they laid hands on them.
7 Then (M)the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many (N)of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Stephen Accused of Blasphemy
8 And Stephen, full of [b]faith and power, did great (O)wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. 10 And (P)they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. 11 (Q)Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council. 13 They also set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak [c]blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; 14 (R)for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” 15 And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
