His speech
persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they
ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
The
apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of
suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple
courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the
good news that Jesus is the Messiah. Acts 5:40-42
The early
Christians were happy to suffer for Christ because that meant they were more
like Christ since Christ suffered for us.
They identified more with Jesus because they suffered more like
Jesus. Until Christians embrace the
suffering, not much will get done in our world today.