Acts 6:1-15.
Acts 6.1-15
Seven Leaders for the Church
"A lot of people were now becoming followers of the Lord. But some of
the ones who spoke Greek started complaining about the ones who spoke
Aramaic. They complained that the Greek-speaking widows were not given
their share when the food supplies were handed out each day. The
twelve apostles called the whole group of followers together and said,
"We should not give up preaching God's message in order to serve at
tables. My friends, choose seven men who are respected and wise and
filled with God's Spirit. We will put them in charge of these things.
We can spend our time praying and serving God by preaching." This
suggestion pleased everyone, and they began by choosing Stephen. He
had great faith and was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they chose
Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and also Nicolaus, who
worshiped with the Jewish people in Antioch. These men were brought
to the apostles. Then the apostles prayed and placed their hands on
the men to show that they had been chosen to do this work. God's
message spread, and many more people in Jerusalem became followers.
Even a large number of priests put their faith in the Lord.
Stephen Is Arrested
God gave Stephen the power to work great miracles and wonders among
the people. But some Jews from Cyrene and Alexandria were members of
a group who called themselves "Free Men." They started arguing with
Stephen. Some others from Cilicia and Asia also argued with him. But
they were no match for Stephen, who spoke with the great wisdom that
the Spirit gave him. So they talked some men into saying, "We heard
Stephen say terrible things against Moses and God!" They turned the
people and their leaders and the teachers of the Law of Moses against
Stephen. Then they all grabbed Stephen and dragged him in front of the
council. Some men agreed to tell lies about Stephen, and they said,
"This man keeps on saying terrible things about this holy temple and
the Law of Moses. We have heard him claim that Jesus from Nazareth
will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses gave us."
Then all the council members stared at Stephen. They saw that his face
looked like the face of an angel."
God bless you.
Seven Leaders for the Church
"A lot of people were now becoming followers of the Lord. But some of
the ones who spoke Greek started complaining about the ones who spoke
Aramaic. They complained that the Greek-speaking widows were not given
their share when the food supplies were handed out each day. The
twelve apostles called the whole group of followers together and said,
"We should not give up preaching God's message in order to serve at
tables. My friends, choose seven men who are respected and wise and
filled with God's Spirit. We will put them in charge of these things.
We can spend our time praying and serving God by preaching." This
suggestion pleased everyone, and they began by choosing Stephen. He
had great faith and was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they chose
Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and also Nicolaus, who
worshiped with the Jewish people in Antioch. These men were brought
to the apostles. Then the apostles prayed and placed their hands on
the men to show that they had been chosen to do this work. God's
message spread, and many more people in Jerusalem became followers.
Even a large number of priests put their faith in the Lord.
Stephen Is Arrested
God gave Stephen the power to work great miracles and wonders among
the people. But some Jews from Cyrene and Alexandria were members of
a group who called themselves "Free Men." They started arguing with
Stephen. Some others from Cilicia and Asia also argued with him. But
they were no match for Stephen, who spoke with the great wisdom that
the Spirit gave him. So they talked some men into saying, "We heard
Stephen say terrible things against Moses and God!" They turned the
people and their leaders and the teachers of the Law of Moses against
Stephen. Then they all grabbed Stephen and dragged him in front of the
council. Some men agreed to tell lies about Stephen, and they said,
"This man keeps on saying terrible things about this holy temple and
the Law of Moses. We have heard him claim that Jesus from Nazareth
will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses gave us."
Then all the council members stared at Stephen. They saw that his face
looked like the face of an angel."
God bless you.
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