Every Christian knew he might have to testify to his faith at the cost of his life

Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. Heb 13:3

"The Blood Of The Martyrs Is Seed."

The history of the expansion of Christianity has proved that "the blood of the martyrs is seed" -- the seed of new life in Christ spreading through the world. For almost three hundred years Christianity grew in soil that was wet with the blood of the martyrs. In his History of Christian Missions Stephen Neil mentions the sufferings of the early Christians as one of the six main reasons the church grew so rapidly.

Because of their dangerous situation vis-à-vis the law, Christians were almost bound to meet in secret . . . Every Christian knew that sooner or later he might have to testify to his faith at the cost of his life . . . When persecution did break out, martyrdom could be attended by the utmost possible publicity. The Roman public was hard and cruel, but it was not altogether without compassion; and there is no doubt that the attitude of the martyrs, and particularly of the young women who suffered along with the men, made a deep impression . . . In the earlier records what we find is calm, dignified, decorous behaviour; cool courage in the face of torment, courtesy towards enemies, and a joyful acceptance of suffering as the way appointed by the Lord to lead to his heavenly kingdom. There are a number of well-authenticated cases of conversion of pagans in the very moment of witnessing the condemnation and death of Christians; there must have been far more who received impressions that in the course of time would be turned into a living faith." John Piper, "Desiring God"- Chapter 10 Suffering - The Sacrifice of Christian Hedonism A short video showing the re-enactment of the persecution of Christians in the early church in Rome.