Stephen Is Arrested

⁸ Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people.

²⁹ And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. ³⁰ Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

⁵⁵ But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand.

⁵ Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith).

¹³ Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.

¹⁵ At this point everyone in the high council stared at Stephen, because his face became as bright as an angel’s.

¹⁰ None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.

³ And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility.

⁶ Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did.