Acts 5:14-42 KJV
14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,
23 Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.
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.

Glorious time followed as people believed in Jesus, people were healed, and people seen signs and wonders of faith in their life through the apostles so much so that they laid their sick and cripples in the street before the apostles, and they were healed. Peter shadow alone caused healing because he was so filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, meaning Peter himself the healer, but he was the vessel in which Holy Spirit used to heal many and even cast out demons. Religious leaders took council and wanted to kill Peter. The took the the apostles and put them in common prison. One has to wonder what time of Sadduccees these men were of God or the antichrist. Someone not desiring the healing of a person, or desiring multiple people being healed. Did they focus then on past movement of Christ on the landed and Jesus on the cross, who they denied rose again despite the veil being torn in the temple and people arising to enter into Jerusalem. Denial of all things of Jesus and his name in the form of healing. Unnatural phenomon and so forth. Unnatural, not by natural laws of science even for their time did what they witness make any sense to their mental sight. Their denial only caused indigination to be intestified in what they were witnessing before their eyes. Denial of the truth as people picked up their mat and walked. As healing took place before them by the masses of people present needing wholeness of body, mind and spirit and receiving all of it because of their own miracle healing of physical ailment.

The religious council threw the apostles in jail only for an angel of the Lord to unlock the jail cell and they went preaching and teaching at the temple. This caused more problems for the religious leaders they took more council and had them come before the temple council of men, only to have one priest rebuke his brethren on whether it was God or not, that if they did not leave it alone and allow God to either lift it up or destroy it. Destroy/fizzle out because it was not of God. One may judge to quickly in their decision of something being not of God, but if it is of God then God's hand will be against them. Allowing God to tear it down is greater. The religious council order the men once again not preaching in the name of Jesus. Had them taken and beaten, because they continue despite the first warning to preach in the name of Jesus.

The disciple continued preaching in the name of Jesus despite the correction of the religious council telling them not to preach in the name of Jesus. Was this in anyway in opposition to what Christ taught. Christ after the resurrection and seeing the disciples in the upper room went the Galilee and continue to teach his disciples. One might ask why not conintu in Jerusalem but one must understand that Jesus went away to prepare his disciples for his ascension and to continue in ministry. The healings alone would of spurred the apostles on. The signs and wonders would of been enough to send them reeling forward without stop. Some would be persecuted even more and the Holy Spirit in other cases intervened in each situation that occurred and the Apostle continued teaching and preaching. God's intervention is greater then our own understanding. The apostles faced persecution like Jesus, without going to the cross at this time. Peter eventually would hang upside down. Other disciples would be behead and others crucified as well. Each one going and not exempt from persecution. What the apostles witness and what they held to had to be more important then anything they faced by man, so much to not obey God would of been devasting to their thinking despite governental power or opposition. This was just the religious council at this time not Roman authority of it. It was coming because it pleased the jews.

Faith has to have value to individual to continue to face the opposition if not what good is faith alone. Live like the jones and no one says a word. Be different and even prove there is a difference and a better way and be willing to face opposition everytime, because of the blessings that came through faith in Christ Jesus. The opposition is not scripture it was the leaders of their time the Jewish council experienced to the correct order of worship. They were blind so that faith in Christ could spread to even the gentiles that their Messiah had come.

Paul was blinded on the road of Damacus because he knew not who Christ was, he was also a part of the priesthood. Yet the shackles would be removed for him to see the truth of who Jesus was then the physical blindness removed from him. He preached facing also persecution. As American citizens we know the laws of our land might not stop persecution. It should but it might not. Our land of freedom is suppose to be a land to be able to preach truth. To believe with our own hearts truth. and not bow to a stone object that can do nothing for you, yet idolatry runs in our land as well. Yet with Christ you need no opposition, no persecution to know his reality in your heart in your mind, and to know his healing power. Some groups produce fear through bullying but not those that believe in Christ. Why because with Christ his proof is through miracles and his work of grace in people's lives. A person can be convince of Jesus by the love of the saints. Love that is not bullying, but constantly loving others as they would themselves.

I knew a man and his wife that were believers, one day their physical condition was greater then their ability to control there action. They were people of faith, but the condition caused a reaction not of God. Fortunately the wife continue to pray despite physical reaction to the situation went to a medical doctor about her husband and got adjustment for the problem through mediation. Is that wrong? No. What it means is if God not solving the problem your way in regards of miracle now, God maybe able to help through another means sometimes called science for the purpose of what? It for the time when miracles and wonders are not as prevalent in our land. Even Paul recommend Timothy drink wine for his stomach trouble. Yet both men had seen many miracles in their day. Miracles are to spur on the troops of faith. It must continue in order for people to know the reality of God. God wants good things for his people then why not healing in all things. Even Christ said their be physicians among us, the need of healing would be present even when not in his presence. Yet none of these things are by our power. if it was people would flock to man. There times when miracle cease for a time in the land. Faith and revival does not produce labors of material kind but laborers of faith. If we live in this world we can not remain on the mountaintop but continue in the valley. Sheep are feed in the valley, but they climb the mountain top for the mountaintop experience. Deer our town see running our streets when the town goes through a drought the deer will return to the valley for they thirst for the word of God. Charismatic and pentecostal movements never cease in the world, but they can not remain for the mountain top experience can not remain, but people must move to the valley to grow and produce through the process of love. It takes love to say whatever happening in a love one is not of God but and the situation needs help. Blood test can prove if it is a medical condition or if it is caused by just pure hatred for another. Love will fight through medical condition, hate and discord will not keep a marriage. If you been married long enough you learn these things. Seeing changes in love one seek help. Pray and seek help in that order. Medical problem of the Pharisees was not, but it was spurred on by hate their disagreement, their jealousy and so forth of the crowds the disciples were gathering in the name of Jesus.

The church will always be persecuted when evil leaders arise, when lands are not welcoming of believers, and the world is in opposition to Christ but it not that way for everyone. Persecution comes to beleivers even because of disobedience to laws even in our own land from time to time. We need to learn to ask what happening, what is going on, is the issue a breach of the law, or a breach of human rights. God's laws still work in our land it called faith in God(Father, Son and Holy Spirit). Religious leaders see people teaching differently then they would, will cause discord and opposition, but we got to realize the Jewish faith dividing away from the miracles of Christ long before the division coming between Christianity and Jews during the time of Apostles occurred.

As a believer Jews can learn study to see the Messiah story is true, or they can continue to never examine the word of God to see if the Messiah story is true. God's power still must intercede in this and his timing for the eyes to be open that are blinded by the truth. We to must be open to studying God's word to know truth and not be blinded by it. To be moved by God's Spirit. People in many places still strive for peace between the Jews and gentiles of the world. In many places there is peace in regards to allowing people to have their freedom of faith. When I study the Old Testament I see the writings clearly written of the Messiah being Jesus because he is the word of God in the flesh. The word of God has always saved God's people. God's word in the flesh saved people from their sins and continues to save his people through prophetic word and the word of scripture. Listen to God's Spirit. Can imagine what was for apostles not only being with Jesus now seeing the out pouring of God's Spirit in their life that even demons flee. We still need to know the power of God's word by examining how did others handle truth of the situations. Jews became angry, and anger never stopped faith of a believer. Apostles were preaching the way of peace through Christ Jesus they were blind to the words preached before the miracles occured. Some groups are blind to the preaching because the excitement of the miracles. Normal events normal response, but the believer hears and witness the events as part of faith and part of the word of God coming to be. That why the word of God must be spoken before time of healing and pray of healing, or sometime during the service, why it can not be an emotional serivce alone. Emotion must be encouraged because of faith in the word of God. Through faith in Jesus. If not something is happening that is based solely on emotion and confusion.

Dear Heavenly Father, may you move in our world so we know your power, your word, your truth for the hope that is to come through the return of Christ. Let your miracles spur on the believers. Let the signs move in the heart of man to have faith in you. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: Romans 10:15-21 KJV
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.
20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.
21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.