1 Now in those days, as the disciples were multiplying, a murmuring arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were overlooked in the daily service.
2 And the twelve called the multitude of the disciples to them and said, "It is not fitting that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.
3 Therefore, brothers, look out from among you seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may set over this business;
4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
5 And the saying pleased the whole 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,
6 whom they set before the apostles; and having prayed, they laid their hands on them.
7 And the word of God increased, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem multiplied exceedingly, and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.
9 But some men rose up from the synagogue called the synagogue of the Freedmen, and of the Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen.
10 And they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.
11 Then they secretly induced men to say, "We have heard him speaking words of blasphemy against Moses and God."
12 And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and came upon him, caught him, and led him into the council,
13 and they set up false witnesses, who said, "This man does not cease speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law;
14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus the Nazarene will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses delivered to us."
15 And all who sat in the council, looking intently at him, saw his face like the face of an angel.