The apostles' reaction to their mistreatment is not bitterness, self-pity, moroseness, or cynicism but joy.1 A joy which surely must have come from the Holy Spirit. They are glad because they have remained faithful to Christ despite the immense pressure which they were under, thereby proving themselves to be followers of Jesus (se Luke 6:22–23).2 The apostle Peter would later go on to encourage believers to rejoice when they suffer for righteousness’ sake since they can be assured that the Spirit of glory and of God rests on them (1 Peter 4:12–19).3
41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.