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those days, as the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve summoned the whole community of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should neglect preaching the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
5 The proposal pleased the whole community. So they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. 6 They had these men stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands upon them.
7 So the word of God continued to spread, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
8 Now Stephen, a man full of grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. 9 Then some of those who belonged to the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), composed of both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, came forward and disputed with Stephen. 10 But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by whom he spoke.
11 Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 So they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they confronted him, seized him, and brought him before the Sanhedrin. 13 They also presented false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and against the law. 14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”
15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently in Stephen, and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.