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 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.

And Stephen. Luke reciteth in this place a newe cumbate of the Church, whereby it appeareth that the glory of the Gospel was alwaies ioyned with the crosse and diuerse troubles. And this is the summe, that the Church was assaulted in the person of one man. Whereby it came to passe, that the enimies were the more bolde, and being imbrewed with innocent bloode, did rage sorer than they had wont. For they had not gone as yet beyond the prison and roddes. But to the end we may knowe that the name of Christ was glorified as well in the life as in the death of Stephen, Luke saith at the first, that hee was full of faith and power. Whereby hee signifieth that his faith was excellent, and that he excelled in power to doe myracles. Neither ought wee to imagine perfection of faith, because he is saide to bee full of faith: but this manner of speaking, is much vsed in the Scripture, to call those Full of the giftes of God, who are aboundantly endewed with the same. I take power (without question) for habilitie to doe miracles. Faith comprehendeth not onely the gifte of vnderstanding, but also the feruentnesse of zeale. For as much as his name was famous by reason of this excellencie, it came thereby to passe, that the rage of the wicked was bent against him as it were with one consent to ouerthrowe him. For so soone as the force and grace of the Spirite doeth shewe it selfe, the furie of Sathan is by and by prouoked.