选出七位执事

在那些日子里,门徒增多。说希腊语的犹太人抱怨那些说希伯来语的犹太人,因为他们的寡妇在每日的服事[a]上被忽略了。 于是十二使徒[b]召来全体门徒,说:“我们撇下神的话语[c],去管理饭食,是不妥当的。 所以弟兄们,要从你们当中挑选七个有好名声、充满圣灵和智慧的人;我们就委任他们统管这事务。 这样,我们将可专心于祷告和福音[d]的服事工作。” 这话使全体会众都喜悦,于是选出了司提反——他是一个充满信仰和圣灵的人,还有腓利普罗克罗尼卡诺提门帕米纳,以及入犹太教的安提阿尼古拉斯 他们请这些人站在使徒们面前,使徒们就祷告,按手在他们身上。

这样,神的话语[e]不断扩展[f],在耶路撒冷门徒的人数大大增多,并且有一大群祭司也听从了这信仰。

司提反被捕

司提反满有恩惠[g]和能力,在民间行了许多大奇事和神迹。 可是一些来自称为“自由人”会堂的人,包括一些古利奈人、亚历山大人,还有来自奇里乞亚省和亚细亚省的人,起来与司提反辩论, 10 司提反以智慧和圣灵说话,他们就抵挡不住。

11 于是他们暗中唆使人说:“我们听过这个人针对摩西和神说亵渎的话语。” 12 他们又煽动民众、长老和经文士们就忽然来抓住司提反,把他带到议会, 13 并且推出假见证人说:“这个人不断地说亵渎神的话语,反对这圣所[h]和律法[i] 14 我们曾听到他说,这个拿撒勒人耶稣要拆毁这地方[j],也要改变摩西传给我们的规矩。” 15 所有坐在议会里的人都注视着司提反,看见他的面容好像天使的面容。

Footnotes

  1. 使徒行传 6:1 服事——或译作“供应”。
  2. 使徒行传 6:2 使徒——辅助词语。
  3. 使徒行传 6:2 神的话语——或译作“神的道”。
  4. 使徒行传 6:4 福音——原文直译“话语”或“道”。
  5. 使徒行传 6:7 神的话语——或译作“神的道”。
  6. 使徒行传 6:7 扩展——原文直译“生长”。
  7. 使徒行传 6:8 恩惠——有古抄本作“信心”或“信仰”。
  8. 使徒行传 6:13 圣所——或译作“圣地”或“圣洁的地方”。
  9. 使徒行传 6:13 说亵渎神的话,反对这圣所和律法——有古抄本作“说反对这圣所和律法的话”。
  10. 使徒行传 6:14 这地方——指“圣殿”。

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

Seven Chosen to Serve

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. 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. 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; but we (G)will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

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, whom they set before the apostles; and (K)when they had prayed, (L)they laid hands on them.

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

And Stephen, full of [b]faith and power, did great (O)wonders and signs among the people. 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.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 6:1 Greek-speaking Jews
  2. Acts 6:8 NU grace
  3. Acts 6:13 NU omits blasphemous