For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ but of suffering for him as well,
And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but my Father in heaven.
by this Jesus everyone who believes is set free from all those sins from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.
There they strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying, “It is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God.”
When they arrived, they called the church together and related all that God had done with them and how he had opened a door of faith for the gentiles.
As they left the council, they rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.
And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance,
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—
when you were buried with him in baptism, you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.
My brothers and sisters, whenever you face various trials, consider it all joy,
But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed.