What does the Bible say about persecution in the church?

The Bible addresses the reality of persecution within the church extensively, particularly in the Book of Acts. For example, after the martyrdom of Stephen, there arose a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, prompting believers to scatter throughout Judea and Samaria. Instead of retreating in fear, these scattered believers preached the Word wherever they went (Acts 8:1-4). This movement exemplifies the sovereign hand of God, using human hostility to facilitate the spread of the Gospel far beyond Jerusalem, as foretold by Christ in Acts 1:8.