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選出七位執事

門徒不斷增加的時候,講希臘話的猶太人,埋怨本地的希伯來人,因為在日常的供給上,忽略了他們的寡婦。 於是十二使徒召集了眾門徒,說:“要我們放下 神的道,去管理伙食,是不合適的。 所以弟兄們,應當從你們中間選出七個有好見證、滿有聖靈和智慧的人,我們就派他們負責這事。 至於我們,我們要專心祈禱、傳道。” 這個意見全會眾都很滿意,於是選出司提反,他是一位滿有信心和聖靈的人,還有腓利、伯羅哥羅、尼加挪、提門、巴米拿,以及歸信猶太教的安提阿人尼哥拉, 叫他們站在使徒面前。使徒禱告後,就為他們按手。  神的道傳開了;在耶路撒冷,門徒人數大大增加,有很多祭司也信從了真道。

司提反被捕

司提反滿有恩惠能力,在民間施行大奇事和神蹟。 當時有幾個稱為“自由人”會堂的人,就是從古利奈和亞歷山太來的人,另外還有基利家人和亞西亞人,他們出面與司提反辯論, 10 但司提反靠著聖靈和智慧說話,他們就抵擋不住。 11 於是他們唆使眾人,說:“我們聽過他說謗瀆摩西和 神的話。” 12 又煽動民眾、長老、經學家,這些人就來捉拿他,把他帶到公議會, 13 並且造了假的證供說:“這人不斷抨擊聖地和律法。 14 我們聽他說過:‘這拿撒勒人耶穌要毀壞這地方,改變摩西傳給我們的規例。’” 15 當時,坐在公議會裡的人,都注視他,見他的面貌像天使一樣。

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。

Seven Leaders for the Church

A lot of people were now becoming followers of the Lord. But some of the ones who spoke Greek started complaining about the ones who spoke Aramaic. They complained that the Greek-speaking widows were not given their share when the food supplies were handed out each day.

The twelve apostles called the whole group of followers together and said, “We should not give up preaching God's message in order to serve at tables.[a] My friends, choose seven men who are respected and wise and filled with God's Spirit. We will put them in charge of these things. We can spend our time praying and serving God by preaching.”

This suggestion pleased everyone, and they began by choosing Stephen. He had great faith and was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they chose Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and also Nicolaus, who worshiped with the Jewish people[b] in Antioch. These men were brought to the apostles. Then the apostles prayed and placed their hands on the men to show they had been chosen to do this work. God's message spread, and many more people in Jerusalem became followers. Even a large number of priests put their faith in the Lord.

Stephen Is Arrested

God gave Stephen the power to work great miracles and wonders among the people. But some men from Cyrene and Alexandria were members of a group who called themselves “Free Men.”[c] They started arguing with Stephen. Some others from Cilicia and Asia also argued with him. 10 But they were no match for Stephen, who spoke with the great wisdom that the Spirit gave him. 11 So they talked some men into saying, “We heard Stephen say terrible things against Moses and God!”

12 They turned the people and their leaders and the teachers of the Law of Moses against Stephen. Then they all grabbed him and dragged him in front of the council.

13 Some men agreed to tell lies about Stephen, and they said, “This man keeps on saying terrible things about this holy temple and the Law of Moses. 14 We have heard him claim that Jesus from Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses gave us.” 15 (A) Then all the council members stared at Stephen. They saw that his face looked like the face of an angel.

Footnotes

  1. 6.2 to serve at tables: This may mean either that they were in charge of handing out food to the widows or that they were in charge of the money, since the Greek word “table” may also mean “bank.”
  2. 6.5 worshiped with the Jewish people: This translates the Greek word “proselyte” that means a Gentile who had accepted the Jewish religion.
  3. 6.9 Free Men: A group of Jewish men who had once been slaves, but had been freed.