Acts 6:1-6

Seven Chosen to Serve

1 In those days, as the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews[a] against the Hebraic Jews[b] that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.
2 Then the Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, "It would not be right for us to give up preaching about God to wait on tables.
3 Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty.
4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the preaching ministry."
5 The proposal pleased the whole company. So they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte from Antioch.
6 They had them stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.[c]

Footnotes 3

  • [a]. Jews of Gk language and culture
  • [b]. Jews of Aram or Hb language and culture
  • [c]. The laying on of hands signified the prayer of blessing for the beginning of a new ministry.
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