Book of Common Prayer

Ministers (or deacons) are ordained in the congregation to do service in necessary things of the body so that the apostles may attend only to the word of God. Stephen is accused.

6 In those days, as the number of the disciples grew, there arose a grudge among the Greeks against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. ² Then the twelve called all of the disciples together and said, It is not right that we should leave the word of God and serve at the tables. ³ Therefore, brethren, choose from among you seven men of good reputation, and full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint to this needful business. ⁴ But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.

⁵ And this proposal pleased the whole assembly. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a convert from Antioch. ⁶ These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

⁷ And the word of God advanced, and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly, and a great company of the priests accepted the faith. ⁸ And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

⁹ Then some of those who were of the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and Cyrenians, and some from Alexandria and Cilicia and Asia, arose and disputed with Stephen. ¹⁰ But they could not resist the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke. ¹¹ Then they sent in men who said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. ¹² And they moved the people and the elders and the scribes, and came upon him and caught him, and brought him to the council. ¹³ And they brought forth false witnesses, who said, This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law, ¹⁴ for we heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the ordinances that Moses gave us.

¹⁵ And all who sat in the council looked steadfastly on him, and saw his face, as it were the face of an angel.

¹⁴ And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. ¹⁵ And he said to them, I have inwardly desired to eat this Passover lamb with you before I suffer. ¹⁶ For I say to you, henceforth I will not eat of it any more until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God. ¹⁷ And he took the cup and gave thanks and said, Take this, and divide it among you. ¹⁸ For I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God has come.

¹⁹ And he took bread, gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, This is my body, which is given for you. This do in the remembrance of me. ²⁰ Likewise also, when they had supped, he took the cup, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which shall be shed for you. ²¹ Yet behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. ²² And the Son of man goes as it is appointed; but woe be to that man by whom he is betrayed.

²³ And they began to enquire among themselves which of them it could be that would do that.