How did persecution affect the preaching of the gospel?

Answer

"And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were
all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. . . . Therefore they
that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the Word." Acts 8: 1-4.
NOTE - " Persecution has only had a tendency to extend and establish the faith which it was
designed to destroy. . . . There is no lesson which men have been so slow to learn as that to oppose and
persecute men is the very way to confirm them in their opinions, and to spread their doctrines.' - Dr. Albert
Barnes, on Acts 4 :4.

How was Christ to be received by His own people?
Into whose name are believers to be baptized?
What effect did Christ's answers have upon the people?
What, then, is the nature of all Sabbath legislation?
What prophet had foretold Christ's ride into Jerusalem?
But when, according to the prophecy, was Elijah to be sent?
What precious promise has God made to His children?

Questions & Answers are from the book Bible Readings for the Home Circle