Were the early believers under Roman rule immediately persecuted?
Yes. Under the Roman yoke, early believers faced immediate persecution. They could not walk openly or speak glibly about their Christian faith, were under constant surveillance, and the Roman Empire at one point tried to stamp out Christianity. Becoming a believer under Paul's preaching was itself an invitation to persecution.
Les explains that these early believers under the Roman yoke were immediately under persecution. They could not walk up and down the street and glibly talk about their Christian faith. They were under constant surveillance, and the Roman Empire at one time actually tried to stamp out Christianity. So to become a believer under Paul's preaching and teaching was actually an invitation to persecution. He also connects this to the sufferings of Christ abounding in us and consolation abounding by Christ, noting the same Lord who permits persecutions and testings provides the strength to go through them.