In those days
when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among
them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were
being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together
and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry
of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose
seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and
wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give
our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."
This proposal
pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and
of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas,
and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these
men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in
Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became
obedient to the faith.