⁴¹ So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand ^[a](A)souls. ⁴² They were ^(B)continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to ^(C)the breaking of bread and ^[b](D)to prayer.

^43 [c]Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many ^(E)wonders and ^[d]signs were taking place through the apostles. ⁴⁴ And all those who had believed ^[e]were together and ^(F)had all things in common; ⁴⁵ and they ^(G)began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. ^46 (H)Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and ^(I)breaking bread ^[f]from house to house, they were taking their ^[g]meals together with gladness and ^[h]sincerity of heart, ⁴⁷ praising God and ^(J)having favor with all the people. And the Lord ^(K)was adding ^[i]to their number day by day ^(L)those who were being saved.

Choosing of the Seven

6 Now ^[a]at this time while the ^(A)disciples were ^(B)increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the ^[b](C)Hellenistic Jews against the native ^(D)Hebrews, because their ^(E)widows were being overlooked in ^(F)the daily serving of food. ² So the twelve summoned the ^[c]congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. ³ Therefore, ^(G)brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, ^(H)full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. ⁴ But we will ^(I)devote ourselves to prayer and to the ^[d]ministry of the word.” ⁵ The statement found approval with the whole ^[e]congregation; and they chose ^(J)Stephen, a man ^(K)full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and ^(L)Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and ^[f]Nicolas, a ^[g](M)proselyte from ^(N)Antioch. ⁶ And these they brought before the apostles; and after ^(O)praying, they ^(P)laid their hands on them.

^7 (Q)The word of God kept on spreading; and ^(R)the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to ^(S)the faith.