4 However, we will devote ourselves to praying and to serving in ways that are related to the word.”
5 The suggestion pleased the whole group. So they chose Stephen, who was a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and they chose Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nic o laus, who had converted to Judaism in the city of Antioch.
6 The disciples had these men stand in front of the apostles, who prayed and placed their hands on these seven men.
7 The word of God continued to spread, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem grew very large. A large number of priests accepted the faith.
8 Stephen was a man filled with God’s favor and power. He did amazing things and performed miracles.
9 ⌊One day⌋ some men from the cities of Cyrene and Alexandria and the provinces of Cilicia and Asia started an argument with Stephen. They belonged to a synagogue called Freedmen’s Synagogue.
10 They couldn’t argue with Stephen because he spoke with the wisdom that the Spirit had given him.