Acts

Institution of the Seven

In those days, as the number of disciples increased, the so-called Hellenists complained against the so-called Hebrews, because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.

So the Twelve called the entire group of disciples together and said:

“It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at tables.

So, friends, choose seven respected men among yourselves, full of Spirit and wisdom, that we may appoint them to this task.

As for us, we will dedicate ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

The entire community agreed, and they selected Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit; Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenus, and Nicolaus of Antioch, a convert to Judaism.

They introduced these men to the apostles, who first prayed over them and then laid hands on them.

The word of God kept spreading, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem grew significantly, and even many priests accepted the faith.

Stephen Arrested

Stephen, full of grace and power, performed great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.

Some people then came forward, belonging to the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and Asia.

They argued with Stephen, but they couldn’t match the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.

Since they couldn’t face the truth, they paid some men to say, ‘We heard him speak against Moses and against God.’

So they stirred up the people, the elders, and the teachers of the law; they confronted him, arrested him, and brought him before the Council.

Then they brought forward false witnesses who testified:

“This man never stops speaking against our Holy Place and the law.

We even heard him say that Jesus, the Nazorean, will destroy our Holy Place and change the customs which Moses handed down to us.”

And everyone sitting in the Council looked at him, and his face seemed to them like the face of an angel.