29 lines
2.0 KiB
Markdown
29 lines
2.0 KiB
Markdown
Seven Chosen to Serve
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# Chapter 6
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1. In those days, as the disciples were increasing in number, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.
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2. The Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, "It would not be right for us to give up preaching the word of God to wait on tables.
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3. Brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty.
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4. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
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5. This proposal pleased the whole company. So they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a convert from Antioch.
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6. They had them stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
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7. So the word of God spread, the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly in number, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith.
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Stephen Accused of Blasphemy
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8. Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.
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9. Opposition arose, however, from some members of the Freedmen's Synagogue, composed of both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, and they began to argue with Stephen.
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10. But they were unable to stand up against his wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking.
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11. Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, "We heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God."
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12. They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; so they came, seized him, and took him to the Sanhedrin.
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13. They also presented false witnesses who said, "This man never stops speaking against this holy place and the law.
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14. For we heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us."
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15. And all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
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