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)
Paul showed the philosophers the greatness of God, the Creator, and explained to them the meaning of man, who, as His offspring, reflects the divine image. He who destroys this image in himself falls into judgment. God has fixed a day in which He will judge everyone. Every conscience, every perception of truth, and all religions of this world teach that God will judge every person. The just judgment of God is unavoidable, and the measure in this divine court is God Himself, who, in His holiness said: “Be holy, for I am holy.” This judgment was the fourth main thought Paul presented to his hearers.
In view of the truth of this judgment to come Paul called upon all men to turn, be converted, and to renew their minds. We do not live to pursue idealistic goals, or to participate in superstitions about gods and spirits. We all hurry toward the Day of Judgment, the end of humanity. Life´s meaning does not lie in dreams, atheistic thoughts, or in the enjoying of arts, but in preparedness for the judgment. God did not leave to man the choice of whether to prepare himself for the Day of Judgment or not. Instead, He orders all men everywhere, on all continents, to turn to Him, to leave the folly of their atheistic philosophy, and not build themselves up on the gods of their dead technological sciences. God alone is the truth. There is no religion without the Day of Judgment. Thus the call to repentance was the fifth subject Paul spoke of in his discourse to the Athenians.
After this long, deep introduction, Paul began the second part of his sermon, saying that God would exercise His judgment by means of one man, Jesus Christ, who is holy and blameless, over whom death has no power. This Man, Jesus, is the only one whom God raised from the dead. He lives, and has overcome sin, death, and all temptations. He experienced all troubles and devilish insinuations and triumphed over them. Therefore, he has both the right and the authority to judge all men. All authority has been given to Him in heaven and on earth. Presenting Christ as man´s Judge was the sixth import of Paul´s sermon on the Hill of Areopagus.
Christ’s design is not to destroy or consume sinners, but to establish the kingdom of peace, and to carry out salvation to all men. Admittance into the expanses of God does not come by trusting in philosophical notions, but through faith, the absolute submitting of oneself to God. Christ helps us come to this faith, and gives us a new covenant. We, thereby, have the possibility to escape the coming judgment. Christ did not ask us to repent on our own accord, or to be converted by the power of our own minds. He helps us in regard to repentance, conversion, and faith, which involves not just belief, but a personal relationship with the living Christ. The Holy Spirit gives us the power which confirms us in faith and pure conduct. Faith in Christ renews us in our inner man. This is why we cannot believe in gods, spirits, and philosophies and follow Christ at the same time. Our complete submission to our Savior changes us into His image. Did you observe the seventh point in Paul’s sermon? It is that Christ, and not philosophy, gives us faith as the way to everlasting salvation.
The most important thing to reflect on in the life of Christ is His glorious resurrection, where the power, holiness, and wisdom of God were crystallized. He has broken death entirely. All sadness and tears were overcome by His resurrection. The goal of man´s history is not pessimism, regarding the coming judgment, or the viewing of life as meaningless. We must not follow ascetic stoicism, but seek everlasting life, which shines purity, glory, and joy into the horizon of our future. In the eighth and principle point of Paul´s message he called on the philosophers to believe in the living Christ, the Giver of life. In Him is everlasting life through the power of His resurrection. With this final principle he gave His hearers a view of historical progression, along with foundational understanding to help them accept the Christian life.
Paul´s message on the resurrection caused the thinkers to begin laughing, for human philosophy can only end with death, and all human perception ends at the door leading to eternity. The true thinker confesses he can only think within the limits of that which is reasonable and possible. Christ’s resurrection is impossible, incredible to human understanding. The Athenians took offense at the open tomb of Christ. Their philosophies circled around the imaginations and limitations of the mind. Their understanding was clouded with doubt about what is beyond death, trapped in absolute unbelief. Paul frankly stated in his epistles that no one can recognize the divinity of Christ without the Holy Spirit. Thus he who takes hold of his own spirit is not prepared for God´s Spirit to dwell in him.
It was a bitter blow for Paul to see Athen´s choice philosophers and their disciples all around the world ridicule him publicly. They had turned their backs on him, saying mockingly: “We want to hear you speak about this again.” In fact, they did not hear the word of God a single time again, for Paul silently and sorrowfully left the city. The pride of the philosophers prejudiced them against the salvation of Christ. In his First Epistle to the Corinthians (1: 12- 2: 15) Paul clarifies to us with decisive sharpness the difference between philosophy and faith. You cannot understand Paul’s experiences at Athens unless you have deep understanding into the above mentioned passage of his First Epistle to the Corinthians.
The testimony to the unity of God, the great Creator, the call to repentance before the judgment of God, as well as the charge to believe on the resurrected Christ did not, however, remain without fruit. Some joined Paul and confessed faith in Christ. Their minds were transformed through Him and they received everlasting life. One believer was a member of the Areopagus itself, another was a respectable woman. But overall, there were few converts in Athens. Thus at Athens, amidst the pride of blind philosophers, there was formed a small, lowly church. It lived from the fullness of the life of Christ, the One who had risen from the dead.