1 门徒不断增加的时候, 讲希腊话的犹太人, 埋怨本地的希伯来人, 因为在日常的供给上, 忽略了他们的寡妇。

2 于是十二使徒召集了众门徒, 说: "要我们放下 神的道, 去管理伙食, 是不合适的。

3 所以弟兄们, 应当从你们中间选出七个有好见证、满有圣灵和智慧的人, 我们就派他们负责这事。

4 至于我们, 我们要专心祈祷、传道。"

5 这个意见全会众都很满意, 于是选出司提反, 他是一位满有信心和圣灵的人, 还有腓利、伯罗哥罗、尼加挪、提门、巴米拿, 以及归信犹太教的安提阿人尼哥拉,

6 叫他们站在使徒面前。使徒祷告后, 就为他们按手。

7 神的道传开了; 在耶路撒冷, 门徒人数大大增加, 有很多祭司也信从了真道。

8 司提反满有恩惠能力, 在民间施行大奇事和神迹。

9 当时有几个称为"自由人"会堂的人, 就是从古利奈和亚历山太来的人, 另外还有基利家人和亚西亚人, 他们出面与司提反辩论,

10 但司提反靠着圣灵和智慧说话, 他们就抵挡不住。

11 于是他们唆使众人, 说: "我们听过他说谤渎摩西和 神的话。"

12 又煽动民众、长老、经学家, 这些人就来捉拿他, 把他带到公议会,

13 并且造了假的证供说: "这人不断抨击圣地和律法。

14 我们听他说过: ‘这拿撒勒人耶稣要毁坏这地方, 改变摩西传给我们的规例。’"

15 当时, 坐在公议会里的人, 都注视他, 见他的面貌像天使一样。

1 Now in these days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmuring of the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2 And the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not fit that we should forsake the word of God, and serve tables. 3 Look ye out therefore, brethren, from among you seven men of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4 But we will continue stedfastly in prayer, and in the ministry of the word. 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus a proselyte of Antioch; 6 whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands upon them.

7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, wrought great wonders and signs among the people. 9 But there arose certain of them that were of the synagogue called the synagogue of the Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen. 10 And they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spake. 11 Then they suborned men, who said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. 12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and seized him, and brought him into the council, 13 and set up false witnesses, who said, This man ceaseth not to speak words against this holy place, and the law: 14 for we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered unto us. 15 And all that sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.