In today’s passage the apostles are again confronted by persecution from the Jewish religious leaders. God does not tell them to retreat, but to advance by faith and give the full message of new life to perishing people. When they obeyed, God worked with them through his angel and the Holy Spirit to defeat the power of darkness and advance the gospel. This required the apostles to suffer. But they emerged more joyful and victorious than ever. They were joyful because they were counted worthy of suffering disgrace for Jesus. This shows that believing in Jesus will not exempt us from suffering, but it is worth it.