in the Temple or in private houses, and telling the Good News
about Jesus, the Christ.
006:001 About this time, as the number of disciples was increasing,
complaints were made by the Greek-speaking Jews against
the Hebrews because their widows were habitually overlooked
in the daily ministration.
006:002 So the Twelve called together the general body of the disciples
and said, "It does not seem fitting that we Apostles should
neglect the delivery of God's Message and minister at tables.
006:003 Therefore, brethren, pick out from among yourselves seven
men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom,
and we will appoint them to undertake this duty.
006:004 But, as for us, we will devote ourselves to prayer and to
the delivery of the Message."
006:005 The suggestion met with general approval, and they
selected Stephen, a man full of faith and of the
Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas,
and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch.
006:006 These men they brought to the Apostles, and, after prayer,
they laid their hands upon them.
006:007 Meanwhile God's Message continued to spread, and the number
of the disciples in Jerusalem very greatly increased,
and very many priests obeyed the faith.
006:008 And Stephen, full of grace and power, performed great marvels
and signs among the people.
006:009 But some members of the so-called `Synagogue of the Freed-men,'
together with some Cyrenaeans, Alexandrians, Cilicians and men
from Roman Asia, were roused to encounter Stephen in debate.
006:010 They were quite unable, however, to resist the wisdom and
the Spirit with which he spoke.