Confident

And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. (Philippians 1:14 ESV)

There is a church in Rome. How it got there we are not sure. Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, did not start it, for when he wrote his great Epistle to the Romans he makes it obvious that he had never been there. Though no one is certain, there is evidence that perhaps some of those Jews saved on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) took the gospel back home to Rome with them. Luke reports that Jews from Rome were present that day and heard the gospel. Another possibility is that God used the persecution centered around Saul of Tarsus in Acts 8 and the subsequent scattering of the Church to spread the gospel to Rome.

Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. (Acts 8:4 KJV)

Back and forth interaction between Jerusalem and Rome among the Jews was common, so perhaps some of those "scattered abroad" wound up there.

There is also a tradition that Peter went to Rome and founded that church, but not a lot of biblical evidence to support it. There are historical references to both Peter and Paul founding the church and we know for sure that Peter was there at a later time, as was Paul, but no evidence (other than the tradition) that Peter was there prior to Paul. There is, however, this mysterious reference in Acts 12:

But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place. (Acts 12:17 ESV)

We don't see or here from Peter again until Acts 15 so the possibility remains that the mysterious "another place" was Rome.

Though there is uncertainty about the origins of the church at Rome, it is certain that a church was there and that this church was aware of Paul's imprisonment and conversant with him. They witnessed his witness and were emboldened by it. If Paul could display a holy boldness for the gospel in his circumstances then so could they.

Let's admit it. It can be a frightening thing to speak up for Christ in a fallen world. This world hates Christians and their message because it hates Christ. The exclusive and audacious claims made by Jesus of Nazareth in the Gospels are scandalous to the ears of the unbelieving. The gospel of Jesus is offensive to those who hate God. Stand for what Jesus stood for, believe what Jesus said, preach what Jesus said to preach and you will be hated.

 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11-12 ESV) (emphasis mine)

Be blessed. Speak up for Christ anyway. Don't be afraid. The Lord is with you. He has called you by his grace. He has purposed your life. He has given you a mind and a mouth and a faith and an opportunity. Speak. You're not alone.