Acts 6:9

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

Key Reflection

In the early Christian community, Stephen's miraculous deeds and powerful preaching stood out as a significant challenge to the Jewish leaders. The phrase “full of faith and power” indicates that he was not only deeply committed but also divinely enabled, performing extraordinary feats that convinced many Jews to believe in Christ despite their traditional beliefs and practices. This would have been particularly shocking to his critics, highlighting both the effectiveness of the gospel message through miracles and the growing tension between Jewish authorities and early Christians.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 9. Then there arose. That is, they stood up against him; or they opposed him. Of the synagogue. See Barnes "Mt 4:23". The Jews were scattered in all parts of the world. In every place they would have synagogues. But it is also probable that there would be enough foreign Jews residing at Jerusalem from each of those places to maintain the worship of the synagogue; and at the great feasts those synagogues, adapted to Jewish people of different nations, would be attended by those who came up to attend the great feasts. It is certain that there was a large number of synagogues at Jerusalem.

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