Commentaries
Arabic
- إنجيل المسيح حسب البشير متى
(عبد المسيح وزملاؤه) - إنجيل المسيح حسب البشير مَرْقُس
(عبد المسيح وزملاؤه) - إنجيل المسيح حسب البشير لوقا
(عبد المسيح وزملاؤه) - إِنْجِيْلُ المَسِيْحِِِ حسبَ البَشير يُوْحَنَّا
(عَبْدُ المَسِيْح وَزُمَلاؤُه) - أعمال الرسل حسب البشير لوقا
(عبد المسيح وزملاؤه) - رِسَالةُ بُولُسَ الرَّسُولِ إِلَى أَهْلِ رُوْمِيَة
(عَبدُ المَسِيْح وزُمَلاؤه) - رسالة بُوْلُس الرَّسُوْل إلى أهْلِ غَلاَطِيَّة
(عَبْدُ المَسِيْح وَزُمَلاؤُه) - رِسالةُ بُولُسَ الرَّسُول إِلَى أَهْلِ كَنِيْسَةِ فِيْلِبِّي
(عبد المَسِيْح وزملاؤه) - رِسالةُ بولس الرَّسول إِلَى الكَنِيْسَةِ في كُوْلُوْسِّيْ
(عبد المسيح وزملاؤه) - رِسَالَةِ بولس الرَّسول إلى العِبْرَانِيِّيْنَ
(عَبد المسِيح وزُملاؤُه) - رِسَالةُ يَعْقُوب
(عَبد المسِيح وزُملاؤُه) - رُؤْيا يوحنا اللاهوتي
(عَبْدُ المَسِيْح وَزُمَلاؤُه)
English
- The Gospel of Christ according to Matthew
(Abd al-Masih and Colleagues) - The Gospel of Christ according to Mark
(Abd al-Masih and Colleagues) - The Gospel of Christ according to Luke
(Abd al-Masih and Colleagues) - The Gospel of Christ according to John
(Abd al-Masih and Colleagues) - Acts of the Apostles
(Abd al-Masih and Colleagues) - Studies in the Letter of Paul to the Romans
(Abd al-Masih and Colleagues)
German
- Die Offenbarung des Johannes
(Abd al-Masih and Colleagues)
PREFACE
PART I – THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE EARLY CHURCH IN JERUSALEM
(ACTS 1-7)
(ACTS 1-7)
1. The Introduction of the Book and the Last Promise of Christ (Acts 1:1-8)
2. Christ’ Ascension to Heaven (Acts 1:9-12)
3. The Select Group That Waited For the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:13-14)
4. Matthias Chosen in Place of the Sinful Judas (Acts 1:15-26)
5. The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-13)
6. Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost (Acts 2:14-36)
7. Edification by the Ministry of the Apostles (Acts 2:37-41)
8. Spiritual Life in the Believers’ Church (Acts 2:42-47)
9. The Healing of a Cripple (Acts 3:1-10)
10. Peter’s Sermon in the Temple (Acts 3:11- 26)
11. Peter and John Imprisoned and Taken to Court for the First Time (Acts 4:1-22)
12. The Common Prayer of the Church (Acts 4:23-31)
13. Church Members having all Things in Common (Acts 4:32-37)
14. The Death of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11)
15. Revival and many Healings (Acts 5:12-16)
16. The Apostle´s Imprisonment, and their Release by an Angel (Acts 5:17-25)
17. The Apostles before the High Council (Acts 5:26-33)
18. Gamaliel’s Advice and the Whipping of the Apostles (Acts 5:34-42)
19. The Organization of the Church and the Choosing of the Seven Deacons (Acts 6:1-7)
20. Stephen’s Effective Testimony (Acts 6:8-15)
21. Stephen’s Defense (Acts 7:1-53)
a) A Description of the Days of the Patriarchs (Acts 7:1-19)
a) A Description of the Days of the Patriarchs (Acts 7:1-19)
b) The Days of Moses (Acts 7:20-43)
c) The Tabernacle of Meeting, and the Establishment of the Temple (Acts 7:44-50)
d) The Complaint against the Stubborn People (Acts 7:51-53)
e) Stephen’s Gazing into the Opened Heaven and his Stoning; his becoming the First Martyr (Acts 7:54- 8:1)
PART II – THE EXTENSION OF THE GOSPEL OF SALVATION TO SAMARIA AND SYRIA AND THE BEGINNING OF GENTILE CONVERSIONS
(ACTS 8- 12)
(ACTS 8- 12)
1. The First Persecution of the Christian Church at Jerusalem and the Believers’ Scattering throughout Samaria (Acts 8:1- 8)
2. Simon the Sorcerer and the Work of Peter and John in Samaria (Acts 8:9-25)
3. Conversion, and Baptism of the Ethiopian Treasurer (Acts 8:26-40)
4. Christ’s Appearance to Saul near Damascus (Acts 9:1-5)
5. Saul Baptized at the Hand of Ananias (Acts 9:6-19)
6. Saul’s Preaching in Damascus and his Persecution by the Jews (Acts 9:19-25)
7. The First Meeting Between Paul and the Apostles in Jerusalem (Acts 9:26-30)
8. The Wonderful Works of Christ at the Hand of Peter (Acts 9:31-43)
9. The Beginning of Preaching to the Gentiles through the Conversion of Cornelius the Centurion (Acts 10:1-11:18)
10. The Establishment of a Gentile Church at Antioch (Acts 11:19-30)
11. King Agrippa´s Persecution of the Churches in Jerusalem (Acts 12:1-6)
12. Peter’s Deliverance at the Hand of an Angel (Acts 12:7-17)
13. Herod’s Rage and Death (Acts 12:18-25)
PART III – REPORTS ABOUT PREACHING AMONG THE GENTILES AND THE FOUNDATION OF CHURCHES FROM ANTIOCH TO ROME
(ACTS 13-28)
(ACTS 13-28)
A – The First Missionary Journey (Acts 13:1-14:28)
1. The Separation of Barnabas and Saul for the Work (Acts 13:1-3)
1. The Separation of Barnabas and Saul for the Work (Acts 13:1-3)
2. Preaching in Cyprus (Acts 13:4-12)
3. Preaching in Antioch of Anatolia (Acts 13:13-52)
4. The Founding of the Church at Iconium (Acts 14:1-7)
5. The Founding of the Church at Lystra (Acts 14:8-20)
6. The Ministry in Derbe and the Return to Strengthen the Infant Churches (Acts 14:21-23)
7. The Return to Antioch in Syria and Presenting an Account of the Ministry to the Brothers there (Acts 14:24-28)
B – THE APOSTOLIC COUNCIL AT JERUSALEM (ACTS 15:1-35)
C – THE SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY (ACTS 15:36-18: 22)
1. Paul’s Separation From Barnabas (Acts 15:36-41)
1. Paul’s Separation From Barnabas (Acts 15:36-41)
2. The Strengthening of the Churches of Syria and Anatolia: Choosing Timothy for Service (Acts 16:1- 5)
3. The Holy Spirit Prevents the Apostles from Entering Bithynia, in the Province of Asia (Acts 16:6-10)
4. The Founding of the Church at Philippi (Acts 16:11-34)
5. The Founding of the Church in Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-9)
6. The Founding of the Church in Berea (Acts 17:10-15)
7. Paul at Athens (Acts 17:16-34)
8. The Founding of the Church in Corinth (Acts 18:1-17)
9. Paul’s Return to Jerusalem and Antioch (Acts 18:18-22)
D – THE THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY (ACTS 18:23-21:14)
1. Paul in Anatolia – Apollos in Ephesus and Corinth (Acts 18: 23-28)
1. Paul in Anatolia – Apollos in Ephesus and Corinth (Acts 18: 23-28)
2. Spiritual Revival in Ephesus (Acts 19:1-20)
3. The Apostle plans to Return to Jerusalem, and then go on to Rome (Acts 19:21-22)
4. The Riot of the Silversmiths in Ephesus (Acts 19:23-41)
5. Paul´s Last Journey to Macedonia and Greece (Acts 20:1-3)
6. The plot to kill Paul in Corinth – the names of traveling companions accompanying him towards Jerusalem (Acts 20:3-5)
7. The Night Sermon, and the Lord’s Supper at Troas (Acts 20:6-12)
8. From Troas to Miletus (Acts 20:13-16)
9. Paul’s Parting Sermon to the Bishops and Elders (Acts 20:17-38)
10. The Sailing From Anatolia to Lebanon (Acts 21:1-6)
11. From Tyre to Caesarea (Acts 21:7-14)
E – PAUL’S IMPRISONMENT IN JERUSALEM AND IN CAESAREA (ACTS 21:15-26:32)
1. Paul arrives in Jerusalem and tells the brothers about his ministry (Acts 21:15-20)
1. Paul arrives in Jerusalem and tells the brothers about his ministry (Acts 21:15-20)
2. Paul’s Acceptance of Circumcision According to the Law (Acts 21:20-26)
3. The Jews attack Paul, the Roman soldiers rescue him (Acts 21:27-40)
4. Paul’s defense before his countrymen (Acts 22:1-29)
5. Paul before the High Council of the Jews (Acts 22:30-23:10)
6. Christ’s Appearance to Paul at Night (Acts 23:11)
7. The zealots’ plot against Paul (Acts 23:12-22)
8. Paul Transferred From Jerusalem to Caesarea (Acts 23:23-35)
9. The First Hearing of the Trial in Caesarea (Acts 24:1-23)
10. Paul Alone With the Governor and His Wife (Acts 24:24-27)
11. The Second Hearing of Paul’s Trial Before the New Governor (Acts 25:1-12)
12. Paul Before Agrippa II and His Royal Retinue (Acts 25:13-26:32)
F – THE SAILING FROM CAESAREA TO ROME (ACTS 27:1-28:31)
1. Moving to Sidon and Then to Crete (Acts 27:1-13)
1. Moving to Sidon and Then to Crete (Acts 27:1-13)
2. The storm at sea, and the shipwreck on Malta (Acts 27:14-44)
3. Wintering at Malta (Acts 28:1-10)
4. Continuing the Journey to Rome in Spring (Acts 28:11-14)
5. The Beginning of Paul’s Ministries at Rome (Acts 28:15-31)
A - The First Missionary Journey (Acts 13:1-14:28)
1. The Separation of Barnabas and Saul for the Work (Acts 13:1-3)
Antioch was, at that time, the greatest capital in the Orient. It was called “Rome of the Orient”. At this main center of commerce and world communications the Early Church was formed. It was well established in vitality and maturity. Most of its members were illiterates who had believed in Christ, not through the working of the apostles, but through the testimony of simple believers.
The mother church at Jerusalem had sent Barnabas, as a fatherly friend and visitor, to strengthen the new believers. This delegate took Saul, a very active theologian, as his associate. Together they ministered a complete year in the Antioch church. This church grew in numbers and in power and became the second center of Christianity, beside Jerusalem. It became the starting point for preaching to the Gentiles.
The gifts of the Spirit appeared richly in this church through much prophecy and teaching. The prophets in the New Testament were not separated from the people, but lived within the church as all other believers. They realized the will of God, however, before the others. They understood certain mysteries in their consciences, foresaw the development of the future, and were quick to obey the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This is why Paul, thereafter, warned the believers in his epistles and encouraged them not to despise the gift of prophecy. It was necessary for the formation of churches, just as leaven is necessary for the dough.
These teachers penetrated deeply into the fullness of the word of God. They taught church members, in an orderly and continual fashion, the meanings of the Law, the words of Jesus, and the apostles’ doctrine. The teachers directed their teaching principally toward the will and memory of their hearers, while the prophets aimed foremost at the listener´s heart, mind, and sentiment. God wants you to have a complete body, soul, and spirit, to prompt you to praise, preach and possess a sober faith.
All the different gifts in the church were established under the banner of love, which is the bond of perfection. There was no bishop or chief leader among the members. They discussed their matters within the circle of brothers and elders, with one accord. Barnabas, the sedate, mature Cypriot, did not oversee the church, though he was sent to inspect it. He humbled himself, joined firmly with the brothers, and guided them to cooperation and brotherly partnership. The Cyrenian and Cypriot brothers were most probably the founders of the Antioch church (11: 20). Among them was Manaen, the foster brother of Herod, who had beheaded John the Baptist. Both children nursed from the same milk, but they did not receive the same spirit. The king became an adulterer, who feared the spirits of the dead, while Manaen humbled himself, becoming an example to the believers in the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
We read Saul’s name at the end of the list of ministers and principal members of the church at Antioch, for he was the youngest and the last to join them. He became a student in Antioch once again, in spite of his special knowledge of Jewish, Old Testament jurisprudence. He, too, experienced the love practiced in this fellowship of Christians.
These brothers in faith served the Lord together, just as the priests under the Old Covenant had worshiped God together in the sacrifice offerings. They all desired to call down His blessing on their nation. Hence the five principal members at Antioch asked the Lord Christ to realize the fruit of His sacrifice on the cross in their church and in the people around them. The saints fasted, but not to be justified. They had already been sanctified once and for all by the blood of Christ. Their fasting was for the service of prayer. They forgot about food and drink, for their common prayers for the salvation of the Gentiles was more important to them than all delicacies. Their prayers reflected their longing to see the salvation of Christ proclaimed in their surroundings.
The Lord answered them, speaking openly by His Spirit through the mouths of the church prophets. In receiving this revelation none of them were knocked down or rolled to the ground. They all concernedly heard the will and design of God. The Holy Spirit spoke to the believers in this revelation in the first personal singular pronoun, “I”, as a separate person. He was commanding, guiding, loving, and comforting them immediately. He moves quickly, whenever and wherever He wishes, according to His kind pleasure. This blessed Spirit is, at the same time, one of the Persons in the unity of the Holy Trinity: God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, in one essence with the Father, full of love, holiness, and glory. This pure Spirit is God himself, as Christ said: “God is Spirit.” Those who worship Him in spirit and in truth, praising and loving Him incessantly, know this mystery.
The Holy Spirit of God commanded those in charge of the church to set apart for Him Barnabas and Saul to do a work that was not before known. The Holy Spirit personally called them, supported them with His power, sent them off to preach, worked in them, and kept them.
This call and sending of the chosen ones meant a unique and complete selection and commitment. The Holy Spirit did not inform beforehand about the kind of work He wanted to carry out through Barnabas and Saul. To those in charge of the church He pointed out that the Holy Trinity was intending a new work, a work which none of them could imagine. We confess with submission, O holy God, that Your way is holy, and Your saints walk from glory to glory, from tribulation to tribulation, and from fruit to fruit. You are the beginning and the end in their lives. Their work is Yours alone; none of Your servants has any distinction or vainglory of his own.
The Holy Spirit did not suddenly choose to connect two men for common service. No, he introduced them to each other a good while before He set them apart for service. Their mutual confidence in each other had been strengthened through their joint experiences. The Holy Spirit did not send out Barnabas separately, or Saul alone, but joined them to each other. Christ had previously sent out His disciples two by two, that each might comfort the other, and that one might pray when the other was speaking. The responsibility was not undertaken in a sense of individualistic, self-seeking government, where one prevailed over the other. They both shared mutual responsibility, and each one considered the other better than himself.
Some years earlier Saul had heard from Ananias that the Lord of Glory would send him to kings and rulers, and that he would testify to them about the name of Jesus. He understood that he would meet with great suffering and persecution, as well as victory and exceptional spiritual fruit. Saul was aware that he, in himself, was not able to render this unique service. Therefore, he silently waited for some years in Tarsus until Barnabas called him to teach and instruct in the Antioch Church. There, the Holy Spirit refined him, molded him, and sharpened him as a divine sword. Saul understood that the goal and end of preaching was not to convert all individuals, but to found living churches in which saints could meet, learn, and be edified in faith.
When the church members at Antioch heard the Spirit of Christ suddenly call them to set apart their two leaders for service, the eldest and the youngest, they did not show deep sorrow at losing them. Instead, they met, prayed, and fasted together. They all felt that the Lord was now beginning a great, mysterious, and unique work.
The two who were chosen and commissioned humbly bowed down as the hands of the other church members were laid upon them. It seemed almost as if they lacked wisdom, power, and understanding about the fullness and indwelling of the Holy Spirit, along with all His gifts. The Lord affirmed this humility by blessing and guiding the ministry of those He had called into the lifelong service of preaching the gospel. Ever since that time there have been missionaries leaving their homelands and relatives to spread the kingdom of God. They have followed the guidance of the Spirit of Christ. In spite of their simple lives they are supported with spiritual power from on high.