[a]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 [b]faith.

[c]Now Stephen full of faith and [d]power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

[e]Then there arose certain of the [f]Synagogue, which are called Libertines, and Cyrenians, and of Alexandria, and of them of Cilicia, and of Asia, and disputed with Stephen.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 6:7 An happy end of temptation.
  2. Acts 6:7 This is the figure Metonymy, meaning by faith, the doctrine of the Gospel which engendereth faith.
  3. Acts 6:8 God exerciseth his Church first with evil words and slanders, then with imprisonments, afterward with scourgings, and by these means prepareth it in such sort, that at length he causeth it to encounter with Satan and the world, even to bloodshed and death, and that with good success.
  4. Acts 6:8 Excellent and singular gifts.
  5. Acts 6:9 Schools and Universities were of old time addicted to false pastors, and were the instruments of Satan to blow abroad and defend false doctrines.
  6. Acts 6:9 Of the company and College as it were.

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

Stephen Seized

Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs(C) among the people. Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene(D) and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia(E) and Asia(F)—who began to argue with Stephen.

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