The term "Alexandrians" refers to the inhabitants of Alexandria, a prominent city in ancient Egypt. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Alexandria became a major center of Hellenistic culture and learning. It was renowned for its Great Library and was a melting pot of Greek, Jewish, and Egyptian influences. The city played a significant role in the early Christian church and is mentioned in the New Testament.

Biblical References:

1. Acts 6:9 · "But some from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen."

In this passage, Alexandrians are mentioned as part of a group that opposed Stephen, one of the first deacons of the early church. The Synagogue of the Freedmen likely consisted of Jews who had been freed from slavery and had returned to Jerusalem. The inclusion of Alexandrians indicates the diverse Jewish diaspora present in Jerusalem at the time.

2. Acts 18:24 · "Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, well-versed in the Scriptures."

Apollos, a notable figure in the early church, was an Alexandrian Jew. His background in Alexandria, a hub of intellectual and cultural activity, likely contributed to his eloquence and deep understanding of the Scriptures. Apollos played a significant role in the spread of Christianity, particularly in Corinth, where he was known for his powerful teaching.

3. Acts 27:6 · "There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy and put us on board."

This reference occurs during Paul's journey to Rome. The mention of an Alexandrian ship highlights Alexandria's importance as a major port city and center of commerce in the Roman Empire. Ships from Alexandria were crucial for the grain trade, supplying Rome with much-needed resources.

Historical and Cultural Context:

Alexandria was a city of great significance in the ancient world. It was home to a large Jewish community, which played a crucial role in the development of the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures. This translation was widely used in the early Christian church and facilitated the spread of the Gospel among Greek-speaking populations.

The city's intellectual environment also influenced early Christian thought. The Catechetical School of Alexandria, founded in the late 2nd century AD, became a leading center for Christian theology and philosophy. Notable theologians such as Clement of Alexandria and Origen were associated with this school, contributing to the development of Christian doctrine.

Theological Significance:

The presence of Alexandrians in the New Testament narrative underscores the diverse cultural and intellectual backdrop of early Christianity. The city of Alexandria, with its rich blend of Jewish and Hellenistic traditions, provided a fertile ground for the growth of Christian thought and the dissemination of the Gospel. The interactions between Alexandrians and early Christians, as seen in the accounts of Stephen and Apollos, reflect the dynamic and often challenging environment in which the early church operated.Alexandrians

the Jewish colonists of Alexandria, who were admitted to the privileges of citizenship and had a synagogue at Jerusalem. (Acts 6:9)

ALEXANDRIANS

al-eg-zan'-dri-ans (Alexandreis): Jews of Alexandria, who had, with the Libertines and Cyrenians, a synagogue in Jerusalem. They were among those who disputed with Stephen (Acts 6:9).

221. Alexandreus -- an Alexandrian
... Word Origin from Alexandreia (Alexandria) Definition an Alexandrian NASB Word Usage
Alexandrian (1), Alexandrians (1). of Alexandria, Alexandrian. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/221.htm - 6k

Epistle xii. --To the Alexandrians.
... Part II."Containing Epistles, or Fragments of Epistles. Epistle XII."To
the Alexandrians. 1. To other men, indeed, the present ...
/.../dionysius/the works of dionysius/epistle xii to the alexandrians.htm

Letter cxxxix. To the Alexandrians.
... TOU AGIOU BAChILEIOU PERI TOU PNEUMATOCh BIBLION. Letter CXXXIX. To the
Alexandrians. 1. I have already heard of the persecution ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter cxxxix to the alexandrians.htm

Outrages of George Upon the Alexandrians.
... Chapter II. 6. Outrages of George upon the Alexandrians. After this they
again fastened themselves upon Alexandria, seeking anew ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/6 outrages of george upon.htm

Conflict Between the Constantinopolitans and Alexandrians on ...
... Book VI. Chapter XVII."Conflict between the Constantinopolitans and Alexandrians
on Account of Heraclides; Flight of Theophilus and the Bishops of his Party. ...
/.../chapter xvii conflict between the constantinopolitans.htm

The Emperor Indignant at the Murder of George, Rebukes the ...
... Book III. Chapter III."The Emperor Indignant at the Murder of George, rebukes
the Alexandrians by Letter. The emperor being highly ...
/.../chapter iii the emperor indignant at.htm

After the Departure of Valens from Antioch, the Alexandrians Expel ...
... Chapter XXXVII."After the Departure of Valens from Antioch, the Alexandrians expel
Lucius, and restore Peter, who had come with Letters from Damasus Bishop ...
/.../chapter xxxvii after the departure of.htm

Excursus on the Subsequent History of the Easter Question.
... and did not always agree with it about the period for Easter"in fact (a), the Romans
used quite another method from the Alexandrians; they calculated from ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/excursus on the subsequent history.htm

Synagogues in the City; and Schools.
... "The synagogue of the Alexandrians," is mentioned by the Talmudists:
concerning which also the Holy Scripture speaks, Acts 6:9. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 36 synagogues in the.htm

A Short-Lived Peace
... Catholic Church. We can imagine the joy with which the Alexandrians received
their exiled Patriarch after his six years' absence. They ...
/.../forbes/saint athanasius/chapter 9 a short-lived peace.htm

General Note.
... character and influence of this brilliant Alexandrian must have operated upon
Alexandrian converts.2. But the frequent employment by the Alexandrians of the ...
/.../the acts of the disputation with the heresiarch manes/general note.htm

Alexandrians (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ALEXANDRIANS. ... They were among those who disputed
with Stephen (Acts 6:9). Multi-Version Concordance Alexandrians (1 Occurrence). ...
/a/alexandrians.htm - 7k

Libertines (1 Occurrence)
... There arose certain of them that were of the synagogue called (the synagogue) of
the Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them of ...
/l/libertines.htm - 11k

Algum (3 Occurrences)

/a/algum.htm - 9k

Including (90 Occurrences)
... Acts 6:9 But some of those who were of the synagogue called "The Libertines," and
of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose ...
/i/including.htm - 33k

Freedmen (1 Occurrence)
... Acts 6:9 And there arose up certain of those of the synagogue called of freedmen,
and of Cyrenians, and of Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia ...
/f/freedmen.htm - 6k

Freed-men (1 Occurrence)
... Acts 6:9 But some members of the so-called 'Synagogue of the Freed-men,' together
with some Cyrenaeans, Alexandrians, Cilicians and men from Roman Asia, were ...
/f/freed-men.htm - 6k

Roused (24 Occurrences)
... Acts 6:9 But some members of the so-called 'Synagogue of the Freed-men,' together
with some Cyrenaeans, Alexandrians, Cilicians and men from Roman Asia, were ...
/r/roused.htm - 13k

Encounter (10 Occurrences)
... Acts 6:9 But some members of the so-called 'Synagogue of the Freed-men,' together
with some Cyrenaeans, Alexandrians, Cilicians and men from Roman Asia, were ...
/e/encounter.htm - 10k

Disputing (13 Occurrences)
... Acts 6:9 But some of those who were of the synagogue called "The Libertines," and
of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose ...
/d/disputing.htm - 10k

Debate (13 Occurrences)
... Acts 6:9 But some members of the so-called 'Synagogue of the Freed-men,' together
with some Cyrenaeans, Alexandrians, Cilicians and men from Roman Asia, were ...
/d/debate.htm - 11k

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