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)
D - THE THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY (ACTS 18:23-21:14)
1. Paul in Anatolia - Apollos in Ephesus and Corinth (Acts 18: 23-28)
Paul was like a father, who had begotten many children of the Spirit in numerous cities. He longed for them, and wished to see them going on in the faith. He did not rest long in Antioch, but was again soon on his way, crossing thousands of kilometers on foot over mountains and plains. He crossed dangerous rivers and knew what it was to be thirsty in the deserts. His heart drove him onward, to follow up the converts, to strengthen and enlighten them. He longed for them to become a light in the darkness by way of their practical love and abundant faith. Paul did not only go to the established churches, to humbly and reverently share in the rites of faith and communion with them. He also looked for individuals and those who were isolated, for all believers belong to one body, and none of them is better than the other.
Before he arrived in Ephesus, Apollos, a teacher who had believed in Jesus, appeared suddenly. He came neither from Jerusalem, nor from Antioch, but from Alexandria. This big city, situated on the Mediterranean Sea, was the second great city of its day, after Rome. It was a cultural center for Greek philosophy, better known at that time than Athens. In Alexandria, Philo, the famous philosopher, had endeavored to unify Greek culture with the wisdom of the Old Testament. It is probable that Apollos had acquired his knowledge through reading books, for he was an eloquent, fluent speaker, and had a thorough knowledge of the Holy Scriptures.
Apollos did not know the truth of the Holy Spirit´s indwelling his heart, but followed the way of John the Baptist. He had been baptized with water, repented of his sins, and was expecting the coming of Christ. He might have encountered Christians in Alexandria or in Jerusalem, and possibly heard from them that Jesus of Nazareth was the true Christ. Apollos penetrated deeply into the books of the Old Testament, and recognized in the person and works of Jesus the wonderful fulfillment of the Old Testament Messianic prophecies. He accepted His death on the cross, His resurrection from the tomb, and His ascension to heaven. He was expecting His coming again to set up His kingdom of peace on earth. Apollos had preached these Christians truths with enthusiasm, fervor and eloquence, even though he had not known the heart of salvation, nor had the Holy Spirit taken up residence in him. Despite this fact, the Spirit of the Lord had worked through him, just as he had worked in the prophets of the Old Testament. He was filled with the heart of John the Baptist. He had not yet been, however, born again of the Spirit and water.
When Aquila and Priscilla heard this young man preaching Jesus, speaking in the Synagogue of the Jews, their hearts were gladdened, for the Christian testimony was being strengthened. However, they soon found that this eloquent man, who spoke correct words in a wonderful style, was defective in his knowledge of Christianity. He had become a philosopher who believed in Christ, but was not a son of God filled with the Holy Spirit. So the two uneducated artisans invited the eloquent speaker to their house, and there taught him the fActs.of salvation more perfectly.
In these lessons we find four great fActs.
First, Apollos, the bright young man of great intellect and learning, was humble, and glad to receive instruction from poor tentmakers.
Second, it appeared that simple ones, yet wise regarding the anointing of the Holy Spirit, could speak with more wisdom than the learned philosopher, who had believed in Jesus, but knew nothing of the Holy Spirit.
Third, Priscilla, the woman, was the primary speaker and impetus in this encounter, as her name is always mentioned first from now on. Indication is that a faithful woman can give a clear, effectual testimony.
Fourth, it is most probable that Apollos received the power of the Holy Spirit through these two tentmakers, as Paul himself had received the Spirit through a simple believer, Ananias, at Damascus. The Lord often uses those who are small and obedient to nullify those who are great and talented. Blessed is the church whose members are simple and faithful, who do not criticize the speaker before the hearers, or speak disparagingly of him to others, but invite him to their house to explain to him more correctly the truth of the Holy Spirit. From this conversation, between the two tentmakers and Apollos, it appears that Paul had taught his employers well during their time of handiwork together. They could pour more wisdom into Apollos than all books of philosophy ever could. Faith in the Holy Spirit is more powerful than all mind knowledge or burning enthusiasm.
We read that there were also many other brothers in Ephesus. It appears that Paul’s short service in Ephesus and Priscilla’s watering of the soil through her preaching had produced the start of the church there. It became well known to the other churches surrounding it on the Mediterranean Sea.
The brothers at Ephesus sent a letter of recommendation for Apollos to the church at Corinth, in order that they might receive him who, although dressed as a philosopher, had believed in Jesus, and who was able to prove from the Old Testament Scriptures that Jesus is the living Lord and Christ. Apollos did not leave Ephesus as he had entered it, relying on his mind and trusting in his repentance. He now built his preaching on grace alone. In Corinth he proved by this divine grace that Christ is the Savior, the Deliverer, the Mighty, Triumphant One. With his eloquence and learning Apollos could overcome the Jews, and many believed through him, coming to regard him as their spiritual father (1 Corinthians 1: 12). At the same time, this preacher was a discomfort for the believers, for he did not officially join the group of churches connected with Jerusalem and Antioch, but remained separate. In spite of that, Paul considered him a brother in Christ, and accepted the gifts of Christ in him to strengthen the churches. So, dear brother, do not reject strange speakers and upright witnesses to Christ from other churches. Let them serve your group, so that you may be made complete in Christ’s perfection. Regarding those causing heresies in doctrine and division, however, you are commanded to not admit them into your fellowship.