Pain and persecution of the Church

Despite the pain and persecution of the Church in the first era of the apostles, it was a church of missionary, service and preaching the word of God.

In one sermon, Peter attracted three thousand souls and they were baptized.
Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. Acts 2: 41


The persecution increased the Church missionaries.
Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. Acts 8: 4


And with great power the apostles were performing their witness
And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. Acts 4: 23


His missionary in life lived by the spoken word, and so the word of the LORD was growing and getting stronger.
When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” Acts 19: 21


Luke 11:53-54 - Luke 12:1-12
Luke 11
53 And as He said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to assail Him vehemently, and to cross-examine Him about many things,

54 lying in wait for Him, and seeking to catch Him in something He might say, that they might accuse Him.


Luke 12
1 In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.


2 For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known.


3 Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.


4 “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.


5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!


6 “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God.


7 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.


8 “Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God.


9 But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.


10 “And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven.


11 “Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say.


12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.