Acts 6

Revised Geneva Translation

6 And in those days, as the number of the disciples grew, there arose murmuring of the Hellenists toward the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily ministry.

² Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples together, and said, “It is not acceptable that we should leave the word of God to serve the tables.

³ “Therefore brothers, select from among you seven men of good report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint to this business.

⁴ “And we will give ourselves constantly to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.”

⁵ And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen (a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost), and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas (a proselyte from Antioch),

⁶ whom they set before the Apostles. And they prayed and laid their hands on them.

⁷ And the word of God increased. And the number of the disciples was multiplied in Jerusalem greatly. And a great number of the priests were obedient to the faith.

⁸ Now Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

⁹ Then there arose certain ones out of the synagogue who are called ‘Freedmen’ – as well as Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and ones from Cilicia and Asia - and disputed with Stephen.

¹⁰ But they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.

¹¹ Then they incited men, who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God!”

¹² Thus they moved the people and the elders, and the scribes. And running after him, caught him, and brought him to the Council.

¹³ And they set forth false witnesses, who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the Law!

¹⁴ “For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place and shall change the ordinances which Moses gave us!”

¹⁵ And as all who sat in the Council looked steadfastly at him, they saw his face as the face of an angel.