The Light of Christ’s Gospel

4 Therefore, since we have this ministry, ^(A)as we have received mercy, we ^(B)do not lose heart. ² But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor ^[a]handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth ^(C)commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. ³ But even if our gospel is veiled, ^(D)it is veiled to those who are perishing, ⁴ whose minds ^(E)the god of this age ^(F)has blinded, who do not believe, lest ^(G)the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, ^(H)who is the image of God, should shine on them. ^5 (I)For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ^(J)ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake.

² Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, ^(A)“It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. ³ Therefore, brethren, ^(B)seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this ^(C)business; ⁴ but we ^(D)will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

⁵ And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, ^(E)a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and ^(F)Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and ^(G)Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, ⁶ whom they set before the apostles; and ^(H)when they had prayed, ^(I)they laid hands on them.

⁷ Then ^(J)the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many ^(K)of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Stephen Accused of Blasphemy

⁸ And Stephen, full of ^[a]faith and power, did great ^(L)wonders and signs among the people.

Glory to God for His Grace^(A)

¹² And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has ^(B)enabled me, ^(C)because He counted me faithful, ^(D)putting me into the ministry, ¹³ although ^(E)I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an ^[a]insolent man; but I obtained mercy because ^(F)I did it ignorantly in unbelief. ^14 (G)And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, ^(H)with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. ^15 (I)This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that ^(J)Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. ¹⁶ However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. ¹⁷ Now to ^(K)the King eternal, ^(L)immortal, ^(M)invisible, to ^[b]God ^(N)who alone is wise, ^(O)be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

^3 (A)For the time will come when they will not endure ^(B)sound doctrine, ^(C)but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; ⁴ and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and ^(D)be turned aside to fables. ⁵ But you be watchful in all things, ^(E)endure afflictions, do the work of ^(F)an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

¹¹ And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, ¹² for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, ^(A)for the ^[a]edifying of ^(B)the body of Christ, ¹³ till we all come to the unity of the faith ^(C)and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to ^(D)a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; ¹⁴ that we should no longer be ^(E)children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of ^(F)deceitful plotting, ¹⁵ but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the ^(G)head—Christ—