The ordination of the seven deacons. The zeal of Stephen.
6:1. And in those days, the number of the disciples increasing, there
arose a murmuring of the Greeks against the Hebrews, for that their
widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
Greeks. . .So they called the Jews that were born and brought up in
Greece.
6:2. Then the twelve, calling together the multitude of the disciples,
said: It is not reason that we should leave the word of God and serve
tables.
6:3. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of good
reputation, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over
this business.
6:4. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the
ministry of the word.
6:5. And the saying was liked by all the multitude. And they chose
Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip and
Prochorus and Nicanor, and Timon and Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte
of Antioch.
6:6. These they set before the apostles: and they praying, imposed
hands upon them.
6:7. And the word of the Lord increased: and the number of the
disciples was multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly. A great multitude
also of the priests obeyed the faith.
6:8. And Stephen, full of grace and fortitude, did great wonders and
signs among the people.
6:9. Now there arose some, of that which is called the synagogue of the
Libertines and of the Cyrenians and of the Alexandrians and of them
that were of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen.
6:10. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit that
spoke.
6:11. Then they suborned men to say they had heard him speak words of
blasphemy against Moses and against God.
6:12. And they stirred up the people and the ancients and the scribes.
And running together, they took him and brought him to the council.
6:13. And they set up false witnesses, who said: This man ceaseth not
to speak words against the holy place and the law.
6:14. For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth shall
destroy this place and shall change the traditions which Moses
delivered unto us.
6:15. And all that sat in the council, looking on him, saw his face as
if it had been the face of an angel.