Acts 6

1In those days, as the number of disciples was growing, the Greek-speaking Jews complained against the Hebrew-speaking Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.

2So the Twelve called the whole group of disciples together and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.

3So, brothers and sisters, pick out from among you seven men who are well spoken of, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will put in charge of this task.

4But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

5What they said pleased the whole group, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, along with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a convert to Judaism from Antioch.

6They presented these men to the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

7So the word of God kept spreading, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

8Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.

9But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, which included Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and others from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and argued with Stephen.

10But they could not stand up against the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.

11Then they secretly put up some men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.”

12They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him before the council.

13They set up false witnesses, who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and the law.

14For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”

15And all who were sitting in the council stared at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.