The institution of the deacons, and the deacon Stephen is presented and killed in Jerusalem - Acts 6

The Institution Of Deacons In The Social And Organizational Service Of The Local Church

1 - In those days, as the number of the disciples grew, there was a murmuring of the Greeks against the Hebrews, because their widows were despised in the daily ministry.

2 - And the twelve called together the multitude of the disciples, and said, It is not reasonable for us to forsake the word of God, and serve the tables.

3 - And choose ye, brethren, among you, seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Ghost, and of wisdom, whom we have appointed upon this important business.

4 - But we will persevere in prayer and in the ministry of the word.

5 - And this opinion was content with all the multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicholas the proselyte of Antioch;

6 - And they presented them before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them.

7 - And the word of God grew, and the number of the disciples was greatly multiplied in Jerusalem, and a great part of the priests obeyed the faith.

Deacon Stephen Presented To The Council Of The Sanhedrin In Jerusalem

8 - And Stephen, full of faith and power, did wonders and great signs among the people.

9 - And there arose that were of the synagogue called the libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of the Cilicia and of Asia, and disputed with Stephen.

10 - And they could not withstand the wisdom, and the spirit wherewith he spake.

11 - And they bribed men, saying, We have heard him utter blasphemous words against Moses and against God.

12 - And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they attacked him and took him to the council.

13 - And they presented false witnesses, saying, This man ceaseth not to utter blasphemous words against this holy place and the law;

14 - For we hear you say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses gave us.

15 - And all they that sat on the council, fixing their eyes on him, saw his face as the face of an angel.