Book of Common Prayer
Problems of family living
6 Around that time, as the number of disciples increased, the “Hellenists” raised a dispute with the “Hebrews” because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve called the whole crowd of disciples together.
“Listen,” they said. “It wouldn’t be right for us to leave the word of God to wait on tables. 3 So, brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among yourselves who are well spoken of and filled with the spirit and wisdom. We will put them in charge of what needs to be done in this matter. 4 We will continue to pay attention to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
5 The whole gathering was pleased with what they said. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the holy spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolaus (a proselyte from Antioch). 6 They presented them before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
7 The word of God increased, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem grew by leaps and bounds. This included a large crowd of priests who became obedient to the faith.
Stephen becomes a target
8 Stephen was filled with grace and power, and performed great signs and wonders among the people. 9 But some from the “Freemen’s Synagogue,” as it was named, and from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia and Asia, stood up and disputed with Stephen. 10 They could not, however, resist the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke.
11 Then they put up men to say, “We heard this man speaking blasphemous words against Moses and against God!” 12 They aroused the people, the elders and the scribes. They set upon him, seized him, and took him in front of the Assembly. 13 They set up false witnesses to say, “This man never stops speaking words against this holy place and the law! 14 We heard him say that this Jesus the Nazorean will destroy this place, and change the customs which Moses handed down to us!”
15 Everyone who was sitting in the Assembly looked hard at Stephen. They all saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
14 When the time came, Jesus sat down at table with the apostles.
15 “I have been so much looking forward to eating this Passover with you before I have to suffer,” he said to them. 16 “For—let me tell you—I won’t eat it again until it’s fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”
17 Then he took a cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. 18 Let me tell you, from now on I won’t drink from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
19 Then he took some bread. He gave thanks, broke it and gave it to them.
“This is my body,” he said, “which is given for you. Do this in memory of me.”
20 So too, after supper, with the cup: “This cup,” he said, “is the new covenant, in my blood which is shed for you.
21 “But look here! Someone here is going to betray me. His hand is with mine at this table. 22 The son of man is indeed going, as it is marked out for him; but woe betide that man by whom he is betrayed!”
23 They began to ask each other which of them was going to do this.
Scripture quotations from The New Testament for Everyone are copyright © Nicholas Thomas Wright 2011, 2018, 2019.