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…

And a great company. Seeing that (in speaking properly) our faith doth obey the doctrine of the Gospel, it is a figurative speech uttered by Metonymia, when Luke sayeth, That they obeyed the faith. For the word faith is taken by him for the word of God, and the very profession of Christianity. And he reckoneth up the Priests by name, because they were for the most part enemies: for which cause it was a wonderful work of God, that some should be converted, and much more wonderful that many. For at the first they raged against Christ with this brag, Hath any of the rulers believed in him? But this multitude which knoweth not the Law, are accursed.

And a great companie. Seing that (in speaking properly) our faith doth obey the doctrine of the Gospell, it is a figuratiue speach vttered by Metonymia, when Luke saieth, That they obeyed the faith. For the worde faith is taken by him for the worde of God, and the very profession of Christianitie. And he reckoneth vp the Priestes by name, because they were for the most parte enimies: for which cause it was a woonderfull woorke of God, that some shoulde bee conuerted, and much more woonderfull that many. For at the first they raged against Christe with this bragge, Hath anie of the rulers beleeued in him? But this multitude which knoweth not the Lawe, are accursed.

And Stephen. Luke reciteth in this place a new combat of the Church, whereby it appeareth that the glory of the Gospel was always joined with the cross and diverse troubles. And this is the sum, that the Church was assaulted in the person of one man. Whereby it came to pass, that the enemies were the more bold, and being imbrued with innocent blood, did rage sorer than they had wont. For they had not gone as yet beyond the prison and rods. But to the end we may know that the name of Christ was glorified as well in the life as in the death of Stephen, Luke saith at the first, that he was full of faith and power. Whereby he signifieth that his faith was excellent, and that he excelled in power to do miracles. Neither ought we to imagine perfection of faith, because he is said to be full of faith: but this manner of speaking, is much used in the Scripture, to call those Full of the gifts of God, who are abundantly endowed with the same. I take power (without question) for ability to do miracles. Faith comprehendeth not only the gift of understanding, but also the ferventness of zeal. For as much as his name was famous by reason of this excellency, it came thereby to pass, that the rage of the wicked was bent against him as it were with one consent to overthrow him. For so soon as the force and grace of the Spirit doeth show it self, the fury of Satan is by and by provoked.