Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household, and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized.
Acts 18:8

While the salvation of any person is significant, it is especially encouraging to read of Crispus’ conversion. Why? Because he was “the leader of the synagogue” in Corinth. Since the persecution of believers was still coming chiefly from the Jews, that a prominent Jewish leader was converted must have been a great encouragement to Paul and those who had already believed.

As we pray for the persecuted Church, let us remember that God saves His people from among the persecutors. That was especially true of Saul of Tarsus who, once converted, became the Apostle Paul. Keep praying both for the persecuted and for their persecutors.

A footnote: At this point in Church history, the Romans were not terribly concerned about Christians. They saw the conflict between Jews and Christians as an intermural rift among the Jews, since they regarded Christians as a Jewish sect. The Roman authorities only got involved to try to keep the peace, even as Pilate did in Jerusalem when, against his better judgment, he ordered the crucifixion of the Rabbi from Nazareth. Persecution of Christians directly from the Romans was coming, but it wasn’t full-fledged just yet.