1 During these days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists began to complain against the Hebrews, on the ground that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
2 So the twelve summoned the main body of the disciples and said: "It is not desirable that we should drop preaching the word of God and attend to meals.
3 Brothers, look out seven of your own number, men of good reputation who are full of the Spirit and of wisdom. We will appoint them to this duty,
4 but we will continue to devote ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the word."
5 This plan commended itself to the whole body, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nikanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nikolaos a proselyte from Antioch;
6 these men they presented to the apostles, who, after prayer, laid their hands upon them.
7 And the word of God spread; the number of the disciples in Jerusalem greatly increased, and a host of priests became obedient to the faith.
8 Now Stephen, who was full of grace and power, performed great wonders and miracles among the people.
9 Some of those who belonged to the so-called synagogue of the Libyans, the Cyrenians, and the Alexandrians, as well as to that of the Cilicians and Asiatics, started a dispute with Stephen,
10 but they could not meet the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.
11 They then instigated people to say, "We have heard him talking blasphemy against Moses and God."
12 In this way they excited the people, the elders, and the scribes, who rushed on him, dragged him away, and took him before the Sanhedrin.
13 They also brought forward false witnesses to say, "This fellow is never done talking against this holy Place and the Law!
14 Why, we have heard him say that Jesus the Nazarene will destroy this Place and change the customs handed down to us by Moses!"
15 Then all who were seated in the Sanhedrin fixed their eyes on him, and saw that his face shone like the face of an angel.