Acts 6

As the number of disciples grew, a murmuring arose between Grecian and Hebrew believers concerning the neglect of widows in daily ministration. The apostles, to focus on prayer and the ministry of the Word, directed the multitude to choose seven men full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom for this service. Stephen, one of these chosen, performed great wonders but was subsequently accused of blasphemy against Moses and God, leading to his arrest and appearance before the council.

The early church experienced a significant increase in disciples, which led to a complaint from the Grecians that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of provisions. To resolve this, the twelve apostles proposed that the community select seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, to manage this practical task. This arrangement would allow the apostles to dedicate themselves continually to prayer and the ministry of the Word. The multitude agreed and chose seven men, including Stephen, who was noted for his faith and the Holy Ghost, and these men were appointed by the apostles with the laying on of hands. Following this, the Word of God spread, and the number of disciples, including many priests, greatly multiplied. Stephen, full of faith and power, began performing great wonders and miracles among the people. However, he faced opposition from members of various synagogues who could not withstand his wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke. These adversaries then suborned false witnesses to accuse Stephen of blasphemy against Moses, God, the holy place, and the law, leading to his apprehension and presentation before the council, where his face appeared as that of an angel.

In the burgeoning early Christian community, a significant increase in the number of disciples led to an internal issue: a murmuring among the Grecian believers against the Hebrews, specifically concerning the neglect of their widows in the daily distribution of provisions. Recognizing the importance of both spiritual and practical needs, the twelve apostles convened the multitude of disciples. They declared that it was not fitting for them to abandon the ministry of the Word of God to "serve tables." Instead, they instructed the community to select seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, to be appointed over this administrative task. This strategic division of labor would enable the apostles to devote themselves continually to prayer and the proclamation of the Word. The proposal was well-received by the entire multitude, who then chose Stephen, noted for his faith and fullness of the Holy Ghost, along with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch. These chosen men were presented to the apostles, who, after prayer, laid their hands upon them, signifying their appointment to this service. Following these events, the Word of God continued to spread effectively, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem multiplied greatly, even drawing a significant number of priests to obedience to the faith. Stephen, now empowered by faith and power, began to perform great wonders and miracles among the people. His public ministry, however, attracted the attention and opposition of certain members from various synagogues, including the Libertines, Cyrenians, Alexandrians, Cilicians, and Asians, who engaged him in disputation. Despite their efforts, they were unable to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which Stephen spoke. Frustrated, these adversaries resorted to suborning men to bear false witness, accusing Stephen of speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God. They successfully incited the people, elders, and scribes, leading to Stephen's arrest and his being brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high council. There, false witnesses reiterated the accusations, claiming Stephen spoke against the holy place and the law, specifically alleging he said Jesus of Nazareth would destroy the temple and change the customs delivered by Moses. As the council gazed upon Stephen, a remarkable sight occurred: his face appeared to them as the face of an angel.