Stephen proclaimed Christ in the Synagogue of the Freedmen (see Acts 6:8–10). This synagogue was composed of Jews from Greek speaking towns and cities and it is very likely that they made use of the Greek language during their meetings rather than Aramaic or Hebrew. It is possible that believers who were part of this synagogue were most severely persecuted and scattered,1 though the persecution after Stephen’s death certainly also touched those who attended other Hebrew speaking
synagogues. Indeed, the whole church was impacted (see Acts 8:1–4). In either case, persecuted believers fled from Jerusalem and went to stay in other towns and cities where there was an existing Jewish population.2
19 Ceux qui avaient été dispersés par la persécution survenue à propos d'Etienne allèrent jusqu'en Phénicie, dans l'île de Chypre, et à Antioche, annonçant la parole seulement aux Juifs.