Seven Leaders for the Church
1 A lot of people were now becoming followers of the Lord. But some of the ones who spoke Greek started complaining about the ones who spoke Aramaic. They complained that the Greek-speaking widows were not given their share when the food supplies were handed out each day.
2 The twelve apostles called the whole group of followers together and said, “We should not give up preaching God's message in order to serve at tables. 3 My friends, choose seven men who are respected and wise and filled with God's Spirit. We will put them in charge of these things. 4 We can spend our time praying and serving God by preaching.”
5 This suggestion pleased everyone, and they began by choosing Stephen. He had great faith and was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they chose Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and also Nicolaus, who worshiped with the Jewish people in Antioch. 6 These men were brought to the apostles. Then the apostles prayed and placed their hands on the men to show they had been chosen to do this work. 7 God's message spread, and many more people in Jerusalem became followers. Even a large number of priests put their faith in the Lord.
Stephen Is Arrested
8 God gave Stephen the power to work great miracles and wonders among the people. 9 But some men from Cyrene and Alexandria were members of a group who called themselves “Free Men.” They started arguing with Stephen. Some others from Cilicia and Asia also argued with him. 10 But they were no match for Stephen, who spoke with the great wisdom that the Spirit gave him. 11 So they talked some men into saying, “We heard Stephen say terrible things against Moses and God!”
12 They turned the people and their leaders and the teachers of the Law of Moses against Stephen. Then they all grabbed him and dragged him in front of the council.
13 Some men agreed to tell lies about Stephen, and they said, “This man keeps on saying terrible things about this holy temple and the Law of Moses. 14 We have heard him claim that Jesus from Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses gave us.” 15 Then all the council members stared at Stephen. They saw that his face looked like the face of an angel.
Pirmo diakonu izraudzīšana
1 Tajās dienās, pieaugot mācekļu skaitam, grieķiski runājošie jūdi sāka kurnēt pret ebrejiem, tādēļ ka viņu atraitnes pie ikdienas aprūpes paliekot neievērotas. 2 Pieaicinājuši mācekļu pulku, tie divpadsmit sacīja: “Nepiedien, ja mēs atstājam novārtā Dieva vārdu un kalpojam pie galda. 3 Tādēļ, brāļi, izraugieties no sava vidus septiņus vīrus, par kuriem zināms, ka tie ir Gara un gudrības pilni, un iecelsim tos šo pienākumu veikšanai. 4 Bet mēs pastāvīgi paliksim lūgšanās un kalpošanā ar vārdu.” 5 Šie vārdi iepriecināja visu ļaužu pulku. Viņi izraudzījās Stefanu, ticības un Svētā Gara pilnu vīru, Filipu un Prohoru, un Nikanoru, un Timonu, un Parmenu, un Nikolaju, Antiohijas prosēlītu, 6 un nostādīja tos apustuļu priekšā, un tie, Dievu pielūguši, uzlika viņiem rokas. 7 Dieva vārds auga, un mācekļu skaits Jeruzālemē strauji pieauga, arī daudzi priesteri pieņēma ticību.
Stefana apcietināšana
8 Bet Stefans, Dieva žēlastības un spēka pilns, darīja lielus brīnumus un zīmes tautā. 9 Tad cēlās daži no tā sauktās libertīnu sinagogas – kirēnieši un aleksandrieši, kā arī Kilikijas un Āzijas jūdi un sāka strīdēties ar Stefanu. 10 Bet tie nespēja turēties pretī gudrībai un Garam, ar kādu viņš runāja. 11 Tad viņi pierunāja kādus vīrus, lai tie saka: “Mēs esam dzirdējuši, ka viņš par Mozu un Dievu runā zaimojošus vārdus.” 12 Un viņi sakūdīja tautu un vecajos, un rakstu mācītājus. Tie metās viņam virsū un sagrāba viņu, un aizveda uz sinedriju. 13 Viņi atveda viltus lieciniekus, kuri sacīja: “Šis cilvēks nemitas runāt zaimus pret šo svēto vietu un bauslību. 14 Mēs paši dzirdējām viņu sakām, ka Jēzus, Nācarietis, nopostīšot šo vietu un mainīšot ieražas, ko mums mantojumā devis Mozus.” 15 Visi sinedrijā sēdošie uzlūkoja Stefanu un redzēja viņa vaigu itin kā eņģeļa vaigu.
