The Apostles' Response (5:41-42).
‘They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonour for the Name.'
The Apostles' response was a worthy one. They rejoiced over the fact that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonour for the Name. They were not discouraged by suffering, but brushed it off and were heartened by their release. For the use of ‘the Name' in this section see Acts 4:10; Acts 4:18; Acts 4:30; Acts 5:40. It is worthy of consideration that their outward reputation stressed their relationship to Jesus Christ, rather than their experience of the Spirit. Jesus had said that one of the tasks of the Holy Spirit would be to exalt what He was (John 16:15)