The commentaries of M. John Calvin upon the Acts of the Apostles, faithfully translated…The commentaries of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the Actes of the Apostles, faithfully translated…

7 Furthermore the word of God grew, and the number of the disciples increased greatly at Jerusalem, and a great company of the Priests obeyed the faith. 8 And Stephen full of faith and power, wrought wonders and great signs amongst the people. 9 But there arose certain of the Synagogue, which was called the Synagogue of the Libertines and Cyrenians, and of Alexandria, and of those which were of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen. 10 And they could not resist the wisdom, and Spirit wherewith he spake.

7 Furthermore the worde of God grewe, and the number of the disciples encreased greatly at Ierusalem, and a greate companye of the Priestes obeyed the faith. 8 And Stephen full of faith and power, wrought woonders and great signes amongst the people. 9 But there arose certaine of the Synagogue, which was called the Synagogue of the Libertines and Cyrenians, and of Alexandria, and of those which were of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen. 10 And they could not resist the wisdome, and Spirit wherewith he spake.

Luke setteth forth again the increasing of the Church, to the end he may the better declare the power of God and his grace in the continual going forward thereof. This was an excellent work of God that the church should suddenly, and as it were in a moment be raised up: but this ⟨p. 131⟩is worthy no less admiration, in that he furthereth that work which he had begun amidst so many lets, in that the number of those is increased, whom to diminish, and so consequently to destroy the whole stock, the world doeth so greatly labour. In that he sayeth that the word of God did grow: his meaning is, that it was spread further abroad. The word of God is said to grow two manner of ways, either when new disciples are brought to obey the same, or as every one of us profiteth and goeth forward therein. Luke speaketh in this place of the former sort of increasing, for he expoundeth himself by and by, when he speaketh of the number of the disciples. Notwithstanding he restraineth this so great an increasing of faith, unto one City. For although it be to be thought, that the disciples were scattered abroad elsewhere, yet was there no certain body save only at Jerusalem.