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选出七位执事

门徒不断增加的时候,讲希腊话的犹太人,埋怨本地的希伯来人,因为在日常的供给上,忽略了他们的寡妇。 于是十二使徒召集了众门徒,说:“要我们放下 神的道,去管理伙食,是不合适的。 所以弟兄们,应当从你们中间选出七个有好见证、满有圣灵和智慧的人,我们就派他们负责这事。 至于我们,我们要专心祈祷、传道。” 这个意见全会众都很满意,于是选出司提反,他是一位满有信心和圣灵的人,还有腓利、伯罗哥罗、尼加挪、提门、巴米拿,以及归信犹太教的安提阿人尼哥拉, 叫他们站在使徒面前。使徒祷告后,就为他们按手。  神的道传开了;在耶路撒冷,门徒人数大大增加,有很多祭司也信从了真道。

司提反被捕

司提反满有恩惠能力,在民间施行大奇事和神迹。 当时有几个称为“自由人”会堂的人,就是从古利奈和亚历山太来的人,另外还有基利家人和亚西亚人,他们出面与司提反辩论, 10 但司提反靠着圣灵和智慧说话,他们就抵挡不住。 11 于是他们唆使众人,说:“我们听过他说谤渎摩西和 神的话。” 12 又煽动民众、长老、经学家,这些人就来捉拿他,把他带到公议会, 13 并且造了假的证供说:“这人不断抨击圣地和律法。 14 我们听他说过:‘这拿撒勒人耶稣要毁坏这地方,改变摩西传给我们的规例。’” 15 当时,坐在公议会里的人,都注视他,见他的面貌像天使一样。

拣选七人办理供给之事

那些日子,门徒增多,有说希腊话的犹太人向希伯来人发怨言,因为在日常的供给上忽略了他们的寡妇。 十二使徒叫众门徒来,说:“我们撇下 神的道去管理饭食,是不合宜的。 所以弟兄们,当从你们中间选出七个有好名声、满有圣灵和智慧,我们派他们管理这事。 至于我们,我们要专注于祈祷和传道的事奉。” 这话使全会众都喜悦,就拣选了司提反—他是一个满有信心和圣灵的人;他们又拣选了腓利伯罗哥罗尼迦挪提门巴米拿,并皈依犹太教的安提阿尼哥拉 叫他们站在使徒面前,使徒祷告后,就为他们按手。

 神的道兴旺起来;在耶路撒冷门徒数目增加得很多,也有许多祭司听从了这信仰。

司提反被捕

司提反满有恩惠和能力,在民间行了大奇事和神迹。 当时有从称为“自由人”会堂,并古利奈亚历山大会堂来的人,还有些从基利家亚细亚来的人,起来和司提反辩论。 10 司提反是以智慧和圣灵说话,众人抵挡不住, 11 就收买人来说:“我们听见他说亵渎摩西和 神的话。” 12 他们又煽动百姓、长老和文士,就突然来捉拿他,把他带到议会去, 13 设下假见证,说:“这个人不断地说话,侮辱神圣的地方和律法。 14 我们曾听见他说,这拿撒勒人耶稣要毁坏这地方,也要改变摩西所交给我们的规矩。” 15 在议会里坐着的人都定睛看他,见他的面貌好像天使的面貌。

At that time more and more people joined the disciples. Then there was trouble about a certain matter. The Jews who spoke the Greek language complained against the other Jews. They said that each day when the food was being divided, their women whose husbands were dead did not get their part.

Then the twelve apostles called all of the disciples together. They said, `It is not right for us to stop preaching God's word to divide the food.

So then, brothers, you choose seven men who you know are good men. Choose men who are full of the Holy Spirit and are wise. We will give them the work to divide the food.

But we ourselves will keep on talking with God and telling his word.'

This pleased all the people. The men they chose were Stephen, a man who believed God and was full of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus from Antioch who had joined the Jews.

These men were brought before the apostles. When the apostles had talked with God, they put their hands on their heads [to bless them].

The word of God spread further and further, and many people in Jerusalem believed. Many of the priests also believed.

Stephen received much blessing and power from God. He did many wonderful things and signs among the people.

But some of the Jews argued with Stephen, and said he was wrong. (They belonged to the meeting place of the Free Men. They were Jews who came from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia and Asia Minor.) They did not agree with Stephen.

10 But they could not say anything against his wise words and the Spirit by whom he spoke.

11 So they paid some people to say, `We have heard him say wrong things about Moses and God.'

12 They talked to the people, the leaders, and the scribes, and made them angry. They went quickly and caught Stephen and took him into the court.

13 They brought in the men who told lies about him. They said, `This man is always saying wrong things about this holy place and the laws.

14 We have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will break down this place and that he will change the law which Moses gave us.'

15 Then all the judges who sat in the court looked at him and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

The Choosing of the Seven

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) So 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. Brothers 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) and will give our attention to prayer(J) and the ministry of the word.”

This 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. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed(N) and laid their hands on them.(O)

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

Stephen Seized

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

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

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.(Y) 13 They produced false witnesses,(Z) who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place(AA) and against the law. 14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place(AB) and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”(AC)

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

Footnotes

  1. Acts 6:1 That is, Jews who had adopted the Greek language and culture