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)
Athens is a grand and beautiful city, but Jerusalem is greater. The hillocks around Athens, the plains and the sea, are tuned like charming music. But Jerusalem looks like an altar, surrounded by hillocks and mountains of judgment and grace. Paul stood in the very heart of Greek art, at the center of Athenian culture, in the shadow of the Parthenon, beside the temple of Minerva. He strove to live for the one true God, the Creator, the Almighty, and the All-ruling. Paul did not preach Christ crucified, for his hearers would not have understood forgiveness, and they were not seeking it. He did not reveal all the principles of his faith, nor did he respond to the people’s requests. In addition, he did not convey his spiritual insight to them, which remained hidden from his hearers. He preached to them that they might be saved. He started with the first step, the fear of God, which is the beginning of wisdom. The wise preacher endeavored to free the Athenians from their belief in many gods. He wanted to lead them to recognize the singleness of God, to show them their accountability before Him, in order that they might inquire about His will. Only then could they repent and tremble in fear before His holy Person.
Paul did not condemn the philosophers and scholars for their spiritual ignorance. He humbled himself before their superficial religiosity, and honored their good intent, even though he was greatly upset by their many gods. The apostle could distinguish between lost persons and their lost condition. He did not reject the lost seeker, but offered to him the object of his persistent seeking. All men inwardly long for God. But sadly, they neither know Him, nor are they able to come to Him with their sins.
Paul stood up in the midst of the arrogant geniuses and boldly stated that he knew the unknown God. This unknown God, of whom he preached, had remained hidden to them. The strange thing is that the Athenians, in their religious zeal, did not wish to omit from their worship any deity with whom they might not be acquainted. So they had built an altar to the unknown god, where they offered sacrifices to keep themselves from his anger. Paul used this pagan altar as a connecting link between their idolatry and his faith. Using it he pointed out to his hearers that there is but one Almighty God, who manages, even today, heaven and earth, the clouds and the winds. He holds in His hands seas, the expanses, and stars. He has even numbered the very hairs of our heads. We are all in dire need, in the midst of our technological age, to deeply penetrate into the glory and greatness of this great God, the Creator of all things. We must truthfully realize that the new sciences of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Astronomy are but means to explain His unlimited power. The living God is greater than our mind, and higher than our understanding. He created our small skull to house our brain. We are all creatures, but He is a creating Spirit. We are separated from Him because of our sins. This is the relationship between man and God. We all need to know God the Creator anew, and must direct our thoughts toward Him, so that we may not deify science, technology, men and money, thereby forgetting the one true God.
The great God is not in need of worship or sacrifices, for He is holy and great in Himself. He is not dependent upon the help of men, and does not ask for food or sacrifices. Moreover, He is not confined to or imprisoned in temples and churches. His Spirit is not petrified into idols or strange stones. Our God is free and glorious. He carries out his designs in creating life continuously in men, animals, and plants. Even the new stars are formed according to His will, from light, misty gases, before they are condensed into a solid. He who pays homage to the Creator does the first duty toward Him. Our Acts.of thanksgiving and worship are inevitable if we recogniz His glory. In this manner Paul attempted to free his hearers from their belief in golden idols and marble temples. He tried to lead them to God, the great Creator.
The apostle then pointed to the One who is All-ruling, who intervenes in the history of peoples. He created us from Adam, gave commandments to every nation, and caused people to prosper, in spite of the power of sin living in their bodies. Whoever keeps and regards His holy laws remains. But he who leaves God is drowned in the luxury of selfishness. The merciful God gives to every tribe and every people time for reflection, time for realization of talents and success. He fixes for them the limits of the places where they should live. He who loses the respect of God also loses his human rights. The most important duty of all peoples is to seek God and glorify Him. The end of our ambition cannot be money, dignity, power, or science, but the living God Himself. Every man who is not directed toward God is lost. Do you seek your Lord, or does your life rotate around itself? Do you run after perishable goals, or do you stand fast in the one who is the All-giver? He alone is the daily Creator of life, the one who manages peoples in accordance with their actions.
The great God does not sit upon the clouds of the sky, nor does He dwell in temples made of stone, for He is a Spirit, and is everywhere present. He is not absent or far from us, nor unapproachable to anyone of us. He is near to you. He hears every word you say, and knows your every thought. Your conscience is uncovered before Him. It shows every spot in it, like the temple of man´s body appearing before the electric light of the physician’s instrument. You cannot hide anything from Him. Your conscience reveals your sin.
He who recognizes God’s calling to us, even while we are sinful, and trembles before the love of God, worships Him, who has made us in His own image. To explain this primary relationship between God and man, Paul quoted from a Greek philosopher, saying: “We are the offspring of God”. This statement is awesome. The source of our being does not arise from nothingness, dead matter, or evil. We come from God, and are in Him. He is our course and destination. Our thoughts must be directed only toward God, otherwise we sin. Neither images of art, nor stately buildings sparkling like gold in the light of the sun, nor any system of philosophical ideas reveal the glory of God to this world. Every man is the offspring of the Most High, and is called to have His image realized in him.