## Selection of the Seven 

###### 1
Now in those days, while the disciples were multiplying _in number_, there was grumbling from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving _of food_. 

###### 2
So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, "It is not pleasing _to God_ for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. 

###### 3
Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this need. 

###### 4
But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the service of the word." 

###### 5
And this word pleased the whole congregation, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. 

###### 6
And these they stood before the apostles, and after praying, they laid their hands on them. 

###### 7
And the word of God kept on spreading, and the number of the disciples continued to multiply greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith. 

## Stephen Accused of Blasphemy 

###### 8
And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. 

###### 9
But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, _including_ both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and were arguing with Stephen. 

###### 10
But they were unable to oppose the wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking. 

###### 11
Then they secretly induced men to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God." 

###### 12
And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and they came up to him, dragged him away, and brought him to the Sanhedrin. 

###### 13
And they put forward false witnesses who said, "This man never ceases speaking 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 alter the customs which Moses handed down to us." 

###### 15
And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin saw his face like the face of an angel.