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History · WORLD ENGLISH BIBLE

Acts 6

The Spirit forms a witnessing church as the gospel moves from Jerusalem toward Rome.

New Testament

Acts 6

1Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service.

2The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables.

3Therefore, select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

4But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.”

5These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch,

6whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

7The word of God increased and the number of the disciples greatly multiplied in Jerusalem. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

8Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.

9But some of those who were of the synagogue called “The Libertines”, and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen.

10They weren’t able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.

11Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”

12They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him, then brought him in to the council,

13and set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law.

14For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us.”

15All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel.

READ IN CONTEXT

Before applying this chapter

The Spirit forms a witnessing church as the gospel moves from Jerusalem toward Rome. Read Acts 6 within the complete Acts overview, and use the contextual Bible reading guide before forming a personal application. Chapter divisions aid navigation, but the literary unit may begin earlier or continue into the next chapter.

Observe first

Mark repeated words, changes of speaker, commands, promises, contrasts, questions, and the relationship between paragraphs.

Apply responsibly

Distinguish description from command and immediate audience from later readers before forming a personal application.

TEXT-DERIVED READING NOTES

What to notice in Acts 6

Acts 6 contains 15 verses and about 331 words in this translation. These observations come from the chapter itself; they are prompts for close reading, not claims about its only possible meaning.

The opening movement

Verse 1 begins: “Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in…” Ask what situation, voice, image, or argument this opening establishes for everything that follows.

The closing movement

Verse 15 closes: “All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel.” Compare the ending with the opening and note what changed, resolved, intensified, or remained open.

Vocabulary worth tracing

Recurring or prominent content words include disciples, word, full, holy, spirit, will. Follow where each word appears and whether its meaning shifts with the speaker or setting.

COMMON QUESTIONS

About Acts 6

Which Bible translation is shown here?+

This page reproduces the World English Bible Protestant edition (WEBP), a modern-English translation dedicated to the public domain.

How should I cite a specific verse?+

Use the book, chapter, and verse—for example, Acts 6:1—and name the World English Bible if the wording matters. Each verse number above is a direct anchor link.

Does the chapter number define the complete literary unit?+

Not always. Chapter and verse numbers were added for navigation. Check the paragraphs, scenes, poetic stanzas, or argument before and after this chapter.

A SMALL NEXT STEP

You do not have to have everything figured out.

Begin with one honest question, one passage read carefully, and one faithful next step.

Start with prayer