rd

Acts 6

3 Seven Deacons are ordained in the Church 8 The graces and miracles of Steven, whom they accused falsely.
1.And in those days, as the number of the disciples grew, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians towards the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministering.
2.Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples together, and said, It is not mete that we should leave the word of God to serve the tables.
3.Wherefore brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, and full of the holie Ghost, and of wisdom, which we may appoint to this business.
4.And we will give our selves continually to prayer, and to the ministration of the word.
5.And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Steven a man full of faith and of the holie Ghost, and Philippe, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antiochia,
6.Which they set before the Apostles: and they prayed, and laid their hands on them.
7.And the word of God increased, and the number of the disciples was multiplied in Jerusalem greatly, and a great company of the Priests were obedient to the faith.
8.¶ Now Steven full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
9.Then there arose certain of the Synagogue, which are called Libertines, and Cyrenians, and of Alexandria, and of them of Cilicia, and of Asia, and disputed with Steven.
10.But they were not able to resist the wisdom, and the Spirit by the which he spake.
11.Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and God.
12.Thus they moved the people and the Elders, and the Scribes: and running upon him, caught him, & brought him to the Council,
13.And set forth false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holie place, and the Law.
14.For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazaret shall destroy this place, and shall change the ordinances, which Moses gave us.
15.And as all that sat in the Council, looked steadfastly on him, they saw his face as it had been the face of an Angel.

Notes

1-a.
Whose ancestors were Jews and dwelled in Grecia: therefore these spoke Greek, and not Hebrew.
1-b.
They were not looked unto in the distribution of the alms.
2-c.
That is, to make provision for the maintenance of the poor, forasmuch as they were not able to satisfy both the offices.
5-*.
Chap 21.8.
5-d.
He joined faith with the other gifts of the holie Ghost.
5-e.
Meaning one that was turned to the Jewish religion.
6-f.
This ceremony the Jews observed in solemn sacrifices, Levi 3.2 & also in prayer & private blessings, Gen 48.14: likewise in the primitive Church it was used, either when they made ministers, or gave the gifts of the holie Ghost: which gifts being now taken away, the ceremony must cease.
7-g.
That is, to the Gospel, which is received by faith.
9-h.
Or college: divers nations had colleges at Jerusalem, wherein their youth was instructed, as we see in universities.
11-i.
That is, instructed and set forth false witnesses: and thus malice seeks false shifts when truth fails her.
14-k.
They speak this in contempt.
15-l.
Not only a certain confidence, but also great majesty appearing in him.