The Choosing of the Seven
(1 Timothy 3:8–13)

1Now in these days, when the disciples were being multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily ministration. 2And the twelve, having called the multitude of the disciples to them, said, "It is not proper that we, leaving the word of God, should serve tables; 3but look ye out, brethren, from among yourselves, seven well-attested men, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint over this business; 4but we will devote ourselves steadfastly to prayer and to the ministry of the word." 5And the saying was pleasing to the multitude; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch; 6whom they set before the apostles; and, having prayed, they laid their hands on them.

7And the word of God was increasing, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was being multiplied exceedingly; a great multitude also of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

The Arrest of Stephen

8And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. 9But there arose some of those who were of the synagogue called the synagogue of the Freedmen, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen. 10And they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he was speaking. 11Then they suborned men, who said, "We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and against God." 12And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the Scribes; and, coming upon him, they seized him, and brought him to the Sanhedrin, 13and set up false witnesses, who said, "This man does not cease speaking words against this holy place, and the law; 14for we have heard him say, that This Jesus, the Nazarene, will overthrow this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us." 15And all those who were sitting in the Sanhedrin, gazing intently at him, saw his face as it were an angel's face.