The ordination of the seven deacons. The zeal of Stephen.

¹ In those days, as the number of disciples was increasing, there occurred a murmuring of the Greeks against the Hebrews, because their widows were treated with disdain in the daily ministration.¹

1. 6:1Greeks: So they called the Jews that were born and brought up in Greece.(Challoner)

² And so the twelve, calling together the multitude of the disciples, said: “It is not fair for us to leave behind the Word of God to serve at tables also.

³ Therefore, brothers, search among yourselves for seven men of good testimony, filled with the Holy Spirit and with wisdom, whom we may appoint over this work.

⁴ Yet truly, we will be continually in prayer and in the ministry of the Word.”

⁵ And the plan pleased the entire multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and with the Holy Spirit, and Philip and Prochorus and Nicanor and Timon and Parmenas and Nicolas, a new arrival from Antioch.¹

1. 6:5It is this Nicolas whom the Nicolaitans claim was the inspiration for their heretical group, but he himself was never a member, nor the founder, of the group, nor did he teach their heresies.(Conte)

⁶ These they set before the sight of the Apostles, and while praying, they imposed hands on them.

⁷ And the Word of the Lord was increasing, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem was multiplied exceedingly. And even a large group of the priests were obedient to the faith.

⁸ Then Stephen, filled with grace and fortitude, wrought great signs and miracles among the people.

⁹ But certain ones, from the synagogue of the so-called Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those who were from Cilicia and Asia rose up and were disputing with Stephen.

¹⁰ But they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.

¹¹ Then they suborned men who were to claim that they had heard him speaking words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.

¹² And thus did they stir up the people and the elders and the scribes. And hurrying together, they seized him and brought him to the council.

¹³ And they set up false witnesses, who said: “This man does not cease to speak words against the holy place and the law.

¹⁴ For we have heard him saying that this Jesus the Nazarene will destroy this place and will change the traditions, which Moses handed down to us.”

¹⁵ And all those who were sitting in the council, gazing at him, saw his face, as if it had become the face of an Angel.