Seven Chosen to Serve

6 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. ² 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. ³ 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; ⁴ but we ^(G)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, ^(H)a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and ^(I)Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and ^(J)Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, ⁶ whom they set before the apostles; and ^(K)when they had prayed, ^(L)they laid hands on them.

⁷ 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

⁸ And Stephen, full of ^[b]faith and power, did great ^(O)wonders and signs among the people. ⁹ 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.

Israel Resists the Holy Spirit

⁵¹ “You ^(A)stiff-necked^[a] and ^(B)uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. ^52 (C)Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of ^(D)the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, ^53 (E)who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.”

Stephen the Martyr

^54 (F)When they heard these things they were ^[b]cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. ⁵⁵ But he, ^(G)being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the ^(H)glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, ⁵⁶ and said, “Look! ^(I)I see the heavens opened and the ^(J)Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”

⁵⁷ Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; ⁵⁸ and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And ^(K)the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. ⁵⁹ And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, ^(L)receive my spirit.” ⁶⁰ Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, ^(M)“Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.