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)
3. Preaching in Antioch of Anatolia (Acts 13:13-52)
Following Christ’s triumph over the power of darkness in Cyprus, yet also in view of the difficulty of founding churches on that island, it became clear to Paul that the Holy Spirit did not want them to preach in Barnabas’ homeland. So he rose and sailed with his party toward the shores and high mountains of Anatolia. It is probable that Barnabas and John, his nephew, had preferred to stay on the warm island of Cyprus, and work with diligence and patience toward founding churches there. But Paul knew that his way was toward Anatolia. The compassionate Barnabas was not willing to depart from Paul, his fellow-worker, so he chose to leave his homeland rather than break the command of the Holy Spirit, which had joined them together in one service.
Paul sailed with his company in the power of the Lord to the near shore. He did not stay long in Perga, on the river Cestris, near the city of Antioch, but pressed forward about 160 kilometers. They passed over peaks of high mountains in a journey lasting 8 days, amid dangers, fatigue, oppressive heat, hunger, and thirst. John, the young man of Jerusalem, was not pleased with this journey or with the development of things thus far. He decided to leave the two apostles and go back home. Yet Barnabas preferred, once again, to stay with Saul, rather than to hold onto his personal relationship with his relative. He reluctantly bid farewell to his nephew, who neither continued on in the service of the Lord, nor had been chosen for this mission.
Paul and Barnabas, together with other companions, set out for Antioch in Asia Minor, the important commercial city located on the plains of Anatolia, 1000 meters above the sea. When they arrived in Antioch they did not immediately preach to the city in its public square, but first entered into the synagogue of the Jews. In times past the children of Abraham had received the light of the true God. Paul wanted to preach to them Jesus, who is the fullness of divine light for the entire world, and to draw them to His glory. This discourse, which Luke the Physician recorded Paul delivered there, can be considered a model for all other discourses Paul delivered in the synagogues of the Jews. Its intent was to convince the people of the Old Testament of the truth of Jesus Christ. If we penetrate deeply into this discourse, we will see how Paul and Barnabas relied on their faith and on the preaching of the Law and the Prophets, who considered the Old Testament to be the foundation and introduction to the New Testament.
We read that there were also some Gentiles meeting in the synagogue at Antioch with the Jews, men who worshiped God, admired the thought of monotheism, and valued the high standard of moral life of the people of the Old Testament. Paul spoke to these orthodox believers with great respect, just as he did to the Jews. Wherever Paul went he founded vigorous churches with such people, from those who feared and honored God.
Notice from our reading in v. 17- 25 the fourteen verbs which describe the work of God. You may realize that the history of the Old Testament is neither built on human superstition nor on theological research, but on an actual series of God´s Acts. You cannot understand either the Old or the New Testament unless you fundamentally realize that God is the All-ruling, Omniscient, and Possessor of all. Peoples’ destinies are not moved by policies, disasters, or chance, but by God alone. He chooses individuals not because of their merit, but for the sake of His grace. He rejects the one who does not submit to His word. Study the different meanings of all the verbs explaining the work of God, so that you may acquire exceeding wisdom.
In His choosing of the fathers, God initiated the history of the world’s salvation and also completed the planning of His design, which is the coming of Christ. In the fulfilling of this divine history, the Lord set the people of the Old Testament free from bondage. He endured their mutiny in the wilderness with great patience, offered them land settlements in Canaan, appointed righteous judges to rule them, and set a king over them at their request. He anointed Saul to be their first king, who was a wonderful example at the beginning of his reign, after whose name the apostle of the Gentiles was named. As a young man he was proud of his royal name, “Saul”, but when he met Jesus, his King, he took His humility as an example. He put away the name of “Saul”, and named himself “Paul”, which signifies “the little one.”
The history of God crystallized in David the king, who was found to be a man after the Lord’s own heart. He repented of his sins and sought the will of God. There flowed from him by the Holy Spirit Psalms and prayers, which people have been praying ever since, for 3000 years. Christ himself confirmed some of the prophecies that came from David’s mouth. The Jews, however, thought these promises of God had not yet been fulfilled. They always wondered: “Where is the Son promised to come from David’s seed, who in His truth is the Son of the eternal God?” All the Jews knew of this essential promise and expected Christ to come, the divine King, who would guide their people and all the peoples to universal peace. Paul spoke a short statement to his hearers, stating that the Son of David, who at the same time is the Son of God, had come, and that He is Jesus of Nazareth, the Savior of the world. He is greater than all the Caesars of Rome, for he is true Man and true God, everlasting, holy, and glorious.
After this confrontation Paul mentioned truths about John the Baptist, whose message of repentance and baptism had spread even to Asia Minor, which had caused some Jews to think that he was the Christ. Paul clarified that John the Baptist had considered himself to be unworthy compared to Jesus. He was merely a servant of Him, and undeserving of being employed even in the meanest office for His sake. The Baptist had awaited the coming of Christ with an intense desire, and had guided all his disciples toward the coming Lord, desiring them to prepare his way.