5
This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
6
They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
7
So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
8
Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.
9
Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen.
10
But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.
11
Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.”
12
So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin.
