Seven Chosen to Serve

6 In those days, as the disciples increased in number, a complaint arose against the Hebrews on the part of the Hellenists that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the twelve called the multitude of the disciples together and said, “It is not proper for us to neglect the word of God to wait on tables. 3 [fn]Therefore, brothers, look for seven men among you who have a good reputation and are full of the [fn]Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint for this need. 4 But [fn]we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 This proposal pleased the whole multitude, so they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, an Antiochean convert to Judaism. 6 They set these men before the apostles, who then prayed and laid their hands on them.

7 So the word of God continued to increase, and the number of disciples continued to multiply greatly in Jerusalem, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.