Acts 6:9

Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen.

1. Synagogue - is a Greek word meaning - gather together. The synagogue was a place people gathered together to read, disucss and study the Scriptures. It was also a place of prayer.

2. Many synagogues were special places to promote an adgenda. All who agreed with this particular agenda would meet together and discuss ways to accomplish their goals.

3. This synagogue was for Freedmen (Libertines). They were men born under the Roman occupation which gave them Roman citizenship. They were not just Jews under occupation. They were free Roman citizens, with more rights than other Jews.

4. There were, in Jerusalem, more than 460 synagogues. Some count as many as 480.

5. Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia and Asia were areas where men would be born as Roman citizens. Their goals were different than the Jews who felt restricted and oppressed under Roman rule.