Centuries of fierce persecution followed the establishment of the Christian church, but there were never wanting men who counted the work of building God's temple dearer than life itself. Of such it is written: "Others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered 598 about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth." Hebrews 11:36-38.

Hundreder af år med voldsom forfølgelse fulgte efter oprettelsen af den kristne menighed, men der var aldrig mangel på mennesker, for hvem opbygningen af Guds tempel havde større værd end deres eget liv. Om den slags mennesker står der skrevet: "Andre igen måtte udstå spot og pisk, ja, lænker og fængsel; de blev stenet, martret, gennemsavet, dræbt med sværd, gik om i fåreog gedeskind, led nød og trængsel og blev mishandlet, dem var verden ikke værd; de flakkede om i ørkener og bjerge og i jordens huler og kløfter." Heb. 11,36-38.