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.

Why cannot the natural man receive the things of the Spirit?
Where is the price of Christ's betrayal foretold?
What did the wise men of the East do when they had found Jesus?
What divine purpose was wrought out in the sufferings of Christ?
After creating man, what did God say?
Under the new covenant, what does God promise to do?
What stands on either side of the river?

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