These guys were awesome- warned to stop preaching but they never stopped. They were even beaten over it and they rejoiced! They rejoiced! What?!?! They counted it as an honor. Man, we need this tenacity- to not take no for an answer but to recognize that when we are rejected for the Message, it is an absolute honor because we are relating to Jesus. Like Phil. 3:10 says, "That I may know Him, the power of His resurrection , the fellowship of His sufferings being conformed to His death..." Interesting that the part that equates to fellowship with Jesus is when we experience suffering. These guys got that. And they rejoiced at the opportunity to fellowship with Jesus.

Acts 5:40-42