The Acts of the Apostles

⭑ Geneva Bible :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 6 -

(1 Timothy 3:8–13)

And in those dayes, as the nomber of ye disciples grewe, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians towards ye Hebrewes, because their widowes were neglected in the dayly ministring.

Then the twelue called the multitude of the disciples together, and sayd, It is not meete that we should leaue the worde of God to serue the tables.

Wherefore brethren, looke ye out among you seuen men of honest report, and full of the holy Ghost, and of wisedome, which we may appoint to this busines.

And we will giue our selues continually to prayer, and to the ministration of the worde.

And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Steuen a man full of fayth and of the holy Ghost, and Philippe, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a Proselyte of Antiochia,

Which they set before the Apostles: and they prayed, and layed their hands on them.

And the worde of God increased, and the nomber of the disciples was multipled in Hierusalem greatly, and a great company of the Priests were obedient to the faith.

The Arrest of Stephen

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

Then there arose certaine of the Synagogue, which are called Libertines, and Cyrenians, and of Alexandria, and of them of Cilicia, and of Asia, and disputed with Steuen.

But they were not able to resist the wisdome, and the Spirit by the which he spake.

Then they suborned men, which saide, We haue heard him speake blasphemous wordes against Moses, and God.

Thus they mooued the people and the Elders, and the Scribes: and running vpon him, caught him, and brought him to the Councill,

And set forth false witnesses, which sayd, This man ceasseth not to speake blasphemous wordes against this holy place, and the Law.

For we haue heard him say, that this Iesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the ordinances, which Moses gaue vs.

And as all that sate in the Councill, looked stedfastly on him, they saw his face as it had bene the face of an Angel.

(1 Timothy 3:8–13)

Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists(a) against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service.

The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables.

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

But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.”

These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch,

whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

The word of God increased and the number of the disciples greatly multiplied in Jerusalem. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

The Arrest of Stephen

Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.

But some of those who were of the synagogue called “The Libertines”, and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen.

They weren’t able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.

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

They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him, then brought him in to the council,

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

For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us.”

All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel.

Footnotes

(a)6:1 The Hellenists used Greek language and culture, even though they were also of Hebrew descent.