The term "Freedmen" in the context of the Bible refers to individuals who were formerly enslaved but had gained their freedom. This status is significant in understanding the social and religious dynamics of the early Christian church, particularly in the New Testament period.

Biblical References:

The most direct reference to Freedmen in the Bible is found in the Book of Acts. In Acts 6:9 , it is mentioned: "But some from the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria, as well as from Cilicia and Asia—rose up and disputed with Stephen." This passage highlights the presence of a synagogue specifically associated with Freedmen, indicating a distinct community within the Jewish diaspora.

Historical Context:

Freedmen were often former slaves who had been emancipated by their owners. In the Roman Empire, manumission was a common practice, and freed slaves could attain a certain level of social status, although they were not entirely equal to those born free. They often retained obligations to their former masters and were sometimes integrated into the master's household or business as clients.

The mention of the Synagogue of the Freedmen suggests that these individuals maintained a strong sense of community and identity, even after gaining their freedom. This synagogue likely served as a place of worship and social gathering for Jews who had been freed from slavery, many of whom may have been Hellenistic Jews, as indicated by the regions mentioned (Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and Asia).

Religious Significance:

The Freedmen's involvement in the dispute with Stephen, a prominent figure in the early church, underscores the tensions between different Jewish groups and the nascent Christian movement. Stephen, known for his powerful preaching and miracles, faced opposition from various Jewish factions, including the Freedmen, who were zealous for the traditions of their ancestors.

This conflict ultimately led to Stephen's martyrdom, as described in Acts 7, marking a pivotal moment in the early church's history. The opposition from the Freedmen and other groups highlights the challenges faced by early Christians in spreading the Gospel amidst diverse and often hostile environments.

Cultural and Social Implications:

The presence of Freedmen in the early church also reflects the inclusive nature of the Christian message. The Gospel reached individuals across different social strata, including those who had experienced the bondage of slavery. The early church's embrace of people from various backgrounds, including Freedmen, exemplifies the transformative power of the Christian faith, which transcends social and cultural barriers.

In summary, the Freedmen mentioned in the Book of Acts represent a unique and significant group within the early Jewish and Christian communities. Their account provides insight into the complex social dynamics of the time and the early church's mission to reach all people with the message of Christ.(n.) Plural of Freedman.3032. Libertinos -- Freedman, the name of a synagogue
... Word Origin of Latin origin Definition Freedman, the name of a synagogue
NASB Word Usage Freedmen (1). Roman freedman, Libertine. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3032.htm - 6k

That Slaves and Freedmen and all Infamous Persons Ought not to ...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon CXXIX. (Greek cxxx.) That slaves and freedmen
and all infamous persons ought not to bring accusation. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon cxxix greek cxxx that.htm

Pheroras's Wife is Accused by his Freedmen, as Guilty of Poisoning ...
... CHAPTER 4. Pheroras's Wife Is Accused By His Freedmen, As Guilty Of Poisoning Him;
And How Herod, Upon Examining; Of The Matter By Torture Found The Poison ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 pherorass wife is.htm

In the Fifteenth Year of Tiberius C??sar and under the Pontificate ...
... Of a population of about two millions, well-nigh one half were slaves; and, of the
rest, the greater part either freedmen and their descendants, or foreigners. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xi in the fifteenth.htm

Saurin -- Paul Before Felix and Drusilla
... He who was raised to sway the Roman scepter, and consequently to govern the civilized
world, abandoned his judgment to his freedmen, and gave them a complete ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/saurin paul before felix.htm

Introduction
... a clause in the enrolment bill, declaring Friends to be non-combatants, assigning
all drafted Friends to hospital service or work among freedmen, and further ...
/.../pringle/the record of a quaker conscience cyrus pringles diary/introduction.htm

Acts VI
... (9) "Then there arose certain persons from the synagogue called the synagogue of
the Freedmen and Cyrenians, and those from Cilicia and Asia, disputing with ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts vi.htm

Christianity in Rome.
... Large numbers of the foreigners were freedmen, who generally took the family
name of their masters. ... They were artisans, freedmen, slaves. ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 36 christianity in rome.htm

The Stage as it was Once.
... On the highest seats are slaves and freedmen, below them the free citizens; and
on the lowest seats of all are the dignitaries of the republic"the priests ...
/.../kingsley/lectures delivered in america in 1874/lecture ii the stage as.htm

Antioch
... which led to the death of Stephen did not start among the native Jews but among
the Hellenists"those who belonged to the synagogues of the freedmen and of ...
/.../lake/landmarks in the history of early christianity/iii antioch.htm

Arguments Drawn Even from Heathenish Laws to Discountenance ...
... Some take up with their own freedmen and slaves, despising public opinion, provided
they may but have (husbands) from whom to fear no impediment to their own ...
/.../tertullian/to his wife/chapter viii arguments drawn even from.htm

Freedmen (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Plural of Freedman. Multi-Version Concordance
Freedmen (1 Occurrence). Acts 6:9 And there arose up ...
/f/freedmen.htm - 6k

Libertines (1 Occurrence)
... 2. Interpretation of "Libertines": (1) They are "freedmen," liberated slaves
or their descendants. ... In what sense were they "freedmen"? ...
/l/libertines.htm - 11k

Narcissus (2 Occurrences)
... Narcissus is a common name, especially among freedmen and slaves. But, as in the
case of Aristobulus, some famous person of this name must be meant. ...
/n/narcissus.htm - 9k

Urbanus (1 Occurrence)
... Gifford says that it is found "as here, in juxtaposition with Ampliatus, in a list
of imperial freedmen, on an inscription, 115 AD" He was a member of the ...
/u/urbanus.htm - 7k

Freedman (1 Occurrence)

/f/freedman.htm - 7k

Freed-men (1 Occurrence)
Freed-men. Freedmen, Freed-men. Freedom . Multi-Version Concordance Freed-men
(1 Occurrence). ... (WEY). Freedmen, Freed-men. Freedom . Reference Bible.
/f/freed-men.htm - 6k

Procurator
... At the time of Augustus, when the domestic quality of these offices had not been
entirely lost, the procurators were mostly imperial freedmen. ...
/p/procurator.htm - 13k

Corinth (13 Occurrences)
... 146), and that mentioned in the New Testament was quite a new city, having been
rebuilt about a century afterwards and peopled by a colony of freedmen from Rome ...
/c/corinth.htm - 21k

Steward (23 Occurrences)
... Many stewards were no doubt slaves, as is implied in Matthew 24:45, while
others were freedmen (Luke 16:1-21). (2) In the Epistles. ...
/s/steward.htm - 21k

Tiberius (1 Occurrence)
... to Tacitus (Ann. ii.85), and 4,000 Jewish freedmen were deported to Sardinia
to reduce bands of brigands. Philo attributes this ...
/t/tiberius.htm - 15k

Who was Simon of Cyrene? | GotQuestions.org

What is libertinism? What is a libertine? | GotQuestions.org

Freedmen: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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