ACTS 6 1-15

   Book of the Acts of the First Believers

1 - In those  days when the disciples were growing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists (greek believers) arose against the Hebrew believers for they said their widows were being neglected in the helpful sharings. 2 So the twelve called together all the disciples and said, 3 “Pick out from among yourselves seven men of good reputation, who are full of the Spirit of God and wisdom. And appoint them to this duty. 4 And then we apostles can continue to focus on prayer and proclaiming the message [logos]. 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering.

     The men they chose were Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a convert of Antioch. 6 And they brought them to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

     7 And so the word of God continued to spread, and the number of disciples greatly increased in Jerusalem. Even a great many of the priests became followers. 8 And Stephen, who was full of grace and God’s Spirit(/Presence), was doing wonderful signs and wonders among the people. 9 But some of those who belonged to the Freedmen, as they’re called, made up of Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and argued with Stephen. 10 They couldn’t refute the spirit and wisdom with which he spoke, 11 so instead they secretly plotted and persuaded some to come forward and say, “We’ve heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God!” 12 And they stirred up the people, the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council/court, 13 and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and the customs that Moses delivered to us.” 15 And looking at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was radiant like the face of an angel!

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 🗝️ [  ] - word/language insights, cross references, etc.

      {  } - thots

Next: 7:1-16

From my own studies. Paraphrased to post.