The Seven Helpers

6 Now in those days, as the disciples were multiplied, there was murmuring among the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were overlooked in the daily distribution. ² So the twelve called the multitude of disciples together and said, “It is not reasonable for us to leave the word of God and serve tables. ³ Brothers, look among yourselves for seven men who are known to be full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint over this duty. ⁴ But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

⁵ And what was said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, who was a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Procorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, ⁶ whom they presented before the apostles. And when they had prayed, they placed their hands on them.

⁷ So the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples grew rapidly in Jerusalem, and a great number of the priests were obedient to the faith.

The Arrest of Stephen

⁸ Now Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. ⁹ Then some men rose up from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and of Asia), disputing with Stephen. ¹⁰ But they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.

¹¹ Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”

¹² So they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and came upon him and seized him and led him to the Sanhedrin, ¹³ and set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law. ¹⁴ For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses handed down to us.”

¹⁵ All who sat in the Sanhedrin, gazing at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.