The Choosing of the Seven
1In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews† because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
Wisely, the apostles called a meeting of all...
- Wisely, the apostles called a meeting of all the believers to address the dispute. They recognized the seriousness of the problem, as well as their own priority of teaching the word of God. The solution was to select wise and Spirit-filled men to oversee the food distribution. The community accepted the apostles’ solution and chose good leaders from the ranks of the Greek-speaking believers (all of their names are Greek). These seven devoted themselves to this special ministry, allowing the apostles to spend their time in prayer and teaching the word.
- These seven men are sometimes called the first deacons because of the similarity of their role to the office of deacon (see 1 Tim 3:8–13). Although the Greek term translated “deacon” (Greek diakonos, “servant”) is not used here, a related Greek word is translated running a food program (6:2; Greek diakonein, “to serve”).
2So the Twelve summoned all the disciples and said, “It is unacceptable for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will assign this responsibility to them 4and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
5This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, as well as Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.† 6They presented these seven to the apostles,† who prayed and laid their hands on them.
7So the word of God continued to spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem grew rapidly, and a great number of priests became obedient to the faith.
The Arrest of Stephen
The Jewish leaders did to Stephen as they...
The Jewish leaders did to Stephen as they had done to Jesus (cp. Matt 26:3–4, 59–66): They got someone to lie about him, accused him of blasphemy, incited a riot, arrested him, and posted false charges against him.
8Now Stephen, who was full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. 9But resistance arose from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and men from the provinces of Cilicia and Asia.† They disputed with Stephen, 10but they could not stand up to his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.
11Then they prompted some men to say, “We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.”
12So they stirred up the people, elders, and scribes and confronted Stephen. They seized him and brought him before the Sanhedrin,† 13where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. 14For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”
15All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.