Acts 5:25-42 KJV
25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.
26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.
27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.
36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.
37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

We back with the apostle on trial by the religious leaders, actually more of a religious council. Where does the issue arise? One the council does not believe Christ is risen and continue to tell the apostle not preach in Jesus name, but not only that the apostle response it better to obey God rather then man. That response is the same. The Apostle of course tell the full discourse of blame landing on the religious leaders for the crucifixion. At the same time they told again he rose again. Now we got to remember the forty days Jesus spent on earth most of the time was not in Jerusalem but in Capernaum. This by some scholars would not help the case of identifying that Christ arose from the grave. In fact it would cause the Jewish council to be more concerned because of the insurrection, the uprising and so forth that these meant not only to fill Jerusalem but the rest of Israel with this doctrine that they did not agree with. People of harden hearts most would say, which is scriptural that it should happen. Finally with enough discourse on the resurrection, a man name Gamaliel a doctor of law that had a good reputation among the people, decided it was best to give the apostle some space, after all in their opinion Christ was dead, though apostles believed he was risen. There had been an uprising before not much is know about Theudas. Best to scholar knowledge through other resources this Theudas was at the time of King Herod and uprising and insurrection occurred. About four hundred men involved, and when Theuda died the men were despersed and the rebellion fizzled out. Man name Judas also caused an uprising around the time of Christ birth name Judas. Yet this one too nothing else occurred. The religious people believes these rebellions and uprising that ended because they were of man and not of God. If Christ be of God the Christian movement would not die out.

As a believer I read this only to ask first who is this lawyer, his name sound familiar and of course it does Gamaliel was the teacher of Apostle Paul. What do we know about Paul and his testimony of how he came to Jesus while persecuting the church. What do we know about Paul writting style of tactics and art of persuasiveness, comes perhaps from who taught him Old Testament law and so forth. After all Paul was a priest in the Jewish faith. However when he received Christ though he still argued in the temple some, and got persecuted he knew how to be persuasive that many receive Christ even after his persecution.

With great endurance the Gospel survived because the works of God was seen not only in the early church, but the determination to obey God rather then man continued even those that would face persecution. If we only looked from the Jewish council point of view we can see why they were without hope with their minds darkened to truth. Despite the beating the apostle received by the orders of the council they continued to preach in Jesus's name.

Similiarities between what taught in both Old and New Testament is only proof that something wonderful was being taught, something to connect people from Jewish tribe to the Gentile nation. Though there be Christian and Jews that are friend, there never been that agreement on faith concerning Christ. Was it the enability to be free from the yoke of sin that the religious leaders could not embrace Christianity. After all the whole law feed their bellies, and paid for position as temple leaders. They been tangle by the sacrificial law for years, and yet faith is deeper then the sacrificial law that Christ got rid of and reestablished. The sacrificial law no long burnt offerings, but laying one's life down for the will of God in obedience to him.

True faith is deeper then the law, it came before the law, and yet the law of sacrifice was at the time of Abel and Cain, but it was for offering/gift to God. The sacrifice would become a payment for sin by the law when the law arose at the time of Moses. When we can establish what the apostle fought for was freedom. Then we have decide was this freedom that same as the law without all the legalism. Did the law change, or did it only reestablish the law in the heart and mind of the believer, when the Holy Spirit writes it on our hearts. Speaking it in a language we understand as love.

The apostle were willing to face persecution for this freedom from sacrifice to worship you. To receive the sacrifice of Jesus to hold to the truth of his teachings. The story of faith, resurrection and eternal hope. Help us to understand faith is more then a legal system of the church world, the Jewish world, but precedes these times to open faith relying on the prophet and teachers of Old and New Testament. Are we then in the time of the Holy Spirit, yet we need the knowledge of both Old and New Testament to understand the worship of God, love, faith and hope. Bible is a base line of faith, walking by God's Spirit is a reception of God's word and his Spirit in our life.

Dear Heavenly Father, help us not forget what others have physically faced for the Gospel message of Jesus open for all of us. Let us not forget the importance of your sacrifice of sending Jesus to us as a babe, to demonstrate how to live and walk by your Spirit and will for our life. Enable us as believers to walk in faith and to live the sacrificial life for you. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: Romans 12:1-2 KJV
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.