Battle is joined

The preaching of the resurrection through Jesus of Nazareth provokes the priests to action, and they confront the disciples. They cannot bear that others should teach, and teach the name of Jesus. So they lay hands on the apostles, and imprison them overnight.

The Adversary thus brings various weapons to bear upon the servants of Christ, to discourage and dissuade them from faithful ministry.

Nevertheless, the gospel of the risen Christ advances with the Spirit's blessing. Persecution and progress are still not an either-or for Christians; it is both-and. There will be persecution, and it will be fundamentally similar to what it has always been. There will be progress, because Christ is enthroned and the Spirit is working in the hearts of men.