Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

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.