⁷ So the word of God spread.^(A) The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly,^(B) and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

Stephen Seized

⁸ Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs^(C) among the people. ⁹ Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene^(D) and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia^(E) and Asia^(F)—who began to argue with Stephen. ¹⁰ But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.^(G)

¹¹ Then they secretly^(H) persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.”^(I)

¹² So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin.^{(J) 13} They produced false witnesses,^(K) who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place^(L) and against the law. ¹⁴ For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place^(M) and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”^(N)

¹⁵ All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin^(O) looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.