Book of Common Prayer

When Problems Arise In Serving The Needy In The Church, Deacons Are Chosen To Oversee It

6 Now during these days, while the disciples were multiplying, grumbling arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews^[a] because their widows were being overlooked^[b] in the daily ministry [of food]. ² And the twelve, having summoned the multitude of the disciples, said, “It is not pleasing^[c] that we, having left-behind the word of God, should be serving tables^[d]. ³ But brothers, look-for^[e] seven men from-among you being attested, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we will put-in-charge^[f] over this need^[g]. ⁴ And we will devote-ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the word”. ⁵ And the statement was pleasing in the sight of the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen (a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit), and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas (a proselyte from Antioch), ⁶ whom they stood before the apostles. And having prayed, they laid their hands on them. ⁷ And the word of God was growing. And the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was being multiplied greatly. And a large crowd of the priests were obeying the faith.

⁵⁹ And they were stoning Stephen while he was calling-upon Jesus and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit”. ⁶⁰ And having put down his knees, he cried-out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not set this sin against them”. And having said this, he fell-asleep. 8 ¹ And Saul was giving-approval to his killing.

The Church Is Persecuted And Driven Out of Jerusalem

And a great persecution came about on that day against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all dispersed^[a] throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. ² And reverent men carried-in Stephen [for burial], and made a loud lamentation over him. ³ And Saul was destroying^[b] the church. Entering from house to house, dragging-away both men and women, he was handing them over to prison. ⁴ So indeed, the ones having been dispersed went about announcing the word as good news.

Philip Proclaims Christ And Does Miracles In Samaria. Many Are Baptized, Including Simon

⁵ Now Philip, having gone down to the city^[c] of Samaria, was proclaiming the Christ to them. ⁶ And the crowds were with-one-accord paying-attention-to^[d] the things being said by Philip, during their hearing and seeing the signs which he was doing. ⁷ For many of the ones having unclean spirits— they were coming out while shouting with a loud voice. And many paralyzed ones and lame ones were cured. ⁸ And there was great joy in that city.