2. So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table.
3. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task,
4. whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
5. The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
6. They presented these men to the apostles who prayed and laid hands on them.
7. The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.
8. Now Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people.
9. Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen, Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and people from Cilicia and Asia, came forward and debated with Stephen,
10. but they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke.