⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common.^{(A) 45} They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.^{(B) 46} Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.^(C) They broke bread^(D) in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.^(E) And the Lord added to their number^(F) daily those who were being saved.

³⁴ that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them,^(A) brought the money from the sales ³⁵ and put it at the apostles’ feet,^(B) and it was distributed to anyone who had need.^(C)

³⁶ Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas^(D) (which means “son of encouragement”), ³⁷ sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.^(E)

The Choosing of the Seven

6 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing,^(A) the Hellenistic Jews^[a](B) among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows^(C) were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.^{(D) 2} So the Twelve gathered all the disciples^(E) together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God^(F) in order to wait on tables. ³ Brothers and sisters,^(G) choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit^(H) and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them^{(I) 4} and will give our attention to prayer^(J) and the ministry of the word.”

⁵ This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen,^(K) a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit;^(L) also Philip,^(M) Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. ⁶ They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed^(N) and laid their hands on them.^(O)

⁷ So the word of God spread.^(P) The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly,^(Q) and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.