³ Brothers and sisters,^(A) choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit^(B) and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them^{(C) 4} and will give our attention to prayer^(D) and the ministry of the word.”

⁵ This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen,^(E) a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit;^(F) also Philip,^(G) Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. ⁶ They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed^(H) and laid their hands on them.^(I)

⁷ So the word of God spread.^(J) The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly,^(K) and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

Stephen Seized

⁸ Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs^(L) among the people. ⁹ Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene^(M) and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia^(N) and Asia^(O)—who began to argue with Stephen. ¹⁰ But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.^(P)