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)
After the general meeting, which was held in the presence of all the members, the elders of the church met once again in a closed session. Their purpose was to find, through prayer and deep penetration into the Law and the Prophets, a clarification of the issue of law and gospel. This session was long and heated due to the great difference between the demands of the Old Testament and the gifts of grace in the New Testament. He who does not understand the truth of this difference reads the Bible superficially. At the end of the discussion, however, Peter, intrepid in his declaration of the foundations of our salvation under the direction of the Holy Spirit, stood up. He emphasized that God had not asked Paul to go to the Gentiles. Instead, He had directly charged him to communicate the gospel to the Gentiles, thus carrying out His will. As a result many had believed. Their faith had been verified not only through theoretical acceptance. It had shown itself through their giving up their hearts completely to Jesus, and receiving the salvation He purchased on the cross.
God is the Omniscient One, who searches the hearts and confirms faith in Jesus by the testimony of His Spirit´s sealing. Every true believer in Christ receives a clear testimony from God, written not on perishable paper, but sealed with the Holy Spirit, who dwells in the hearts of those who love Jesus. Paul wrote to the Ephesians: “Having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.”
There is not one Holy Spirit for the Jews and another for the Gentiles. The Jew who embraces the living Jesus lives with the same power as the Gentile believer. There is no difference between the believers with respect to race, sex, age, culture, and possession. All are one in Christ, just as we are all sinful in nature. Every believer is justified and purified by the blood of Christ. The Holy Spirit does not dwell in any man without complete purification, for the Spirit of God and sin cannot meet together in the heart. Which of the two dwells in you, Christ, or the evil one?
Peter continued his testimony about the free work of God. He proclaimed all the lawyers to be interrogaters of God who were contradicting His design. If it was the Holy One´s intention to redeem the Gentiles without the law can any creature prevent him from carrying out His will? The love of God is greater than our minds, and goes beyond our understanding.
With this defense Peter called the law “a heavy yoke”, from which Jesus had delivered us, saying: “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” He who intends to fulfill the Law of Moses through his own power is crushed by the impossibility of God’s command: “Be holy, for I am holy.” No one can be holy as God is, for the law completely overwhelms the one who seeks holiness on his own merit. Christ delivered us entirely from the yoke of the Old Testament, and put on our neck his own, easy yoke (Mt. 11:30). Christ himself bears it with us. We cannot live without a divine yoke, for this yoke symbolizes our communion with God and Christ. We are united with him in the New Testament, which is the easy yoke. We go where He goes, and stop where He stops. In communion with us He changes us through His humility and meekness.
Peter made clear to the lawyers in Jerusalem that neither they nor he nor their godly fathers could practically keep the law, for all are weak, wicked, and unworthy of communion with God. By saying so he testified about himself that he, too, was wicked and far from good. Whoever does not recognize this principle has not yet recognized Christ. He is still standing with one foot in the Old Testament, while with the other foot trying to enter the New Testament.
After this confession Peter spoke the epitome of all New Testament statements. In the clarity of the Spirit he gave testimony to the banner of the Christian church. Salvation is not through works, prayers, right behavior, almsgiving, pilgrimage, circumcision or rites, but by the mere grace of the blood of Jesus Christ. Through His blood and faithful intercession we are justified before God. We receive the power that prompts us to practice what is impossible - to love our enemies and become sanctified for the service of God. Moreover, we do not believe that we shall be judged in the Last Day according to our works, else we be destroyed. We set our hope completely on His grace. Our past, present, and future are only related to the grace of forgiveness, the grace of strengthening, and the grace of perfection. Thus we testify joyfully, saying: “And of his fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.” (John 1:16)
After this testimony of Peter, which was led by the Holy Spirit, none of the pharisaical brothers dared speak a word. None of them wanted to test God, and none of them dared abandon grace in favor of law as the foundation of salvation to come.
Barnabas, followed by Paul, testified once again to the details of Christ’s triumphal procession in Asia Minor, and how He confirmed His redemptive will with wonderful signs and wonders. Paul was reserved at this meeting, giving way for the respected Barnabas to tell about their missionary journey. With his testimony Barnabas rendered a final service of love toward Paul and the church. He joined the two groups together, that there might not be separate churches - one of Jewish Christians, and the other of Gentiles.
The risen Christ guided the apostles by His Spirit to boldly press on. The minds of all those present, being unable to fathom the full understanding of law, had been plunged into disagreement. Christ, therefore, brought the two disagreeing parties together, by making their consciences and experiences in the Holy Spirit the basis for their decision, and not the measure of their understanding. The apostles did not harden their hearts to the voice of the Holy Spirit. They obeyed the wooing of the New Covenant, and placed their hope solely upon grace.
NOTE: It is to be observed that this statement of the Apostle Peter is one of the pinnacles in the development of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles. It is, in fact, its spiritual center. Moreover, it is in the middle of this important book, with the total number of words before and after it being the same. This verse is, at the same time, the last declaration of Peter in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles. It marks the summary and crown of his sermon. From now on Luke mentions nothing more about the life of Peter. He had completed his office as a church minister, having expounded the gospel of grace conclusively as the foundation of true salvation.