^42 (A)And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ ^[a]doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

^46 (A)So continuing daily with one accord ^(B)in the temple, and ^(C)breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,

^18 (A)So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹ But Peter and John answered and said to them, ^(B)“Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. ^20 (C)For we cannot but speak the things which ^(D)we have seen and heard.”

²⁹ Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants ^(A)that with all boldness they may speak Your word, ³⁰ by stretching out Your hand to heal, ^(B)and that signs and wonders may be done ^(C)through the name of ^(D)Your holy Servant Jesus.”

³¹ And when they had prayed, ^(E)the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, ^(F)and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

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.”

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

Stephen Accused of Blasphemy

⁸ And Stephen, full of ^[a]faith and power, did great ^(A)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 ^(B)they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. ^11 (C)Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” ¹² And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council.

Stephen the Martyr

^54 (A)When they heard these things they were ^[a]cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. ⁵⁵ But he, ^(B)being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the ^(C)glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, ⁵⁶ and said, “Look! ^(D)I see the heavens opened and the ^(E)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 ^(F)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, ^(G)receive my spirit.” ⁶⁰ Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, ^(H)“Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Gamaliel’s Advice

³³ When they heard this, they were ^(A)furious^[a] and plotted to kill them. ³⁴ Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named ^(B)Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. ³⁵ And he said to them: “Men of Israel, ^[b]take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. ³⁶ For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, ^[c]joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. ³⁷ After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. ³⁸ And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; ^39 (C)but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found ^(D)to fight against God.”

⁴⁰ And they agreed with him, and when they had ^(E)called for the apostles ^(F)and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. ⁴¹ So they departed from the presence of the council, ^(G)rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for ^[d]His name. ⁴² And daily ^(H)in the temple, and in every house, ^(I)they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.