Study Desk

Now ^(F1)at this time, as the ^(C1)disciples were ^(C2)increasing in number, a complaint developed on the part of the ^(F2)(C3)Hellenistic Jews against the native ^(C4)Hebrews, because their ^(C5)widows were being overlooked in ^(C6)the daily serving of food.

So the twelve summoned the ^(F1)congregation of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.

"Instead, ^(C1)brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, ^(C2)full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.

"But we will ^(C1)devote ourselves to prayer and to the ^(F1)ministry of the word."

The ^(F1)announcement found approval with the whole ^(F2)congregation; and they chose ^(C1)Stephen, a man ^(C2)full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and ^(C3)Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and ^(F3)Nicolas, a ^(F4)(C4)proselyte from ^(C5)Antioch.

And they brought these men before the apostles; and after ^(C1)praying, they ^(C2)laid their hands on them.

^(C1)The word of God kept spreading; and ^(C2)the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to ^(C3)the faith.

And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great ^(C1)wonders and ^(F1)signs among the people.

But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both ^(C1)Cyrenians and ^(C2)Alexandrians, and some from ^(C3)Cilicia and ^(F1)(C4)Asia, rose up and argued with Stephen.

But they were unable to ^(F1)cope with his wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking.