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)
10. Peter’s Sermon in the Temple (Acts 3:11- 26)
When the multitudes sense power in a certain leader, they race to him, hoping to receive from the power of his charisma. Unfortunately, it has long been experienced that most leaders do not give God’s power to their followers. Instead, they propagate and spread their own powers. They promise their followers the hope of gold and silver, yet never fulfill it.
Peter was astonished at the Jews’ attitude, which recognized neither the truth nor the power of God working in them. Thus, he first chose to free them from honoring his person. They were not to rely on his gifting, but on God´s gift alone. It is as the Lord says: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man.” Peter testified that neither human power nor religiosity could remove sin or heal the sick. Men are totally unprofitable, but like puffed up peacocks that parade themselves about.
The apostle pointed to the one unique Man who alone can give our disturbed world power and hope. This man is Jesus of Nazareth. Peter did not call him Christ, but used the word “God’s Servant” to describe him, which in Greek signifies the bondservant of God. At the same time, it refers to Christ’s submission to His Father, for it is in His voluntary submission that we see Christ’s perfection and triumph. The Son of God made Himself of no reputation, but became a man and humbled Himself, taking the form of a bondservant, and became obedient to His Father’s will even to the point of death, the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name (Phil. 2:7-9). It was right for Peter to say that God had glorified His Servant Jesus, for the glorification of the name of Jesus Christ is the end work of the Holy Spirit, who is Himself God.
Peter did not speak in the name of an unperceivable, unknown great God, but called God the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He had manifested Himself to the patriarchs, whom He Himself had chosen. The God of the nation´s fathers raised His Servant Jesus from the dead. The effectiveness of this divine event formed the banner over the apostles’ preaching. Jesus the crucified had not remained in the grave, but rose to live forevermore. The apostles had been eyewitnesses, who had seen and spoken with Him. They bore witness to the certainty of His resurrection and glorified body after his death on the cross.
The Holy Spirit is not satisfied to merely show the grace and triumph of God. He always attacks the innermost sins of man, for the Spirit of God is holy. The Jewish nation did not receive the Chosen One of God, but refused and denied Him, even though the Roman governor had found Him innocent. They insisted that the heathen governor twist the truth and crucify the Son of God. Their address to the Jewish rulers was spoken not far from the Tower of Antonia, overlooking the open space of the temple, where Jesus had previously taught in Solomon’s Porch. The hearers sensed the injustice they had committed, where even these buildings were witnesses against them. Peter, who had become the fisher of men, continued his speech. He removed the false veils of godliness from the murderers’ faces. He stamped them as those who had refused the Lamb of God, choosing Barabbas instead, who had been a murderer and brigand. This choice had revealed their evil spirit and reprobate mind.
The Holy Spirit urged Peter to call Christ, who was born of the Holy Spirit, “the Holy One”, who went on to bear the sin of the whole world. This innocent One was the life of God incarnate, and the one who continues sinless should never die. Yet in the death of Jesus the impossible thing had happened: the Prince of Life Himself had died. In clarifying the essence of Jesus, Peter did not use the title “Christ”, or “the Son of God”, but placed the entire significance contained in these titles in the one name of “Jesus”.
The speaker continued on with his indictment of the murderers, saying: “God loved Jesus of Nazareth, but you resisted God’s Spirit and killed the beloved Son of the Holy One. You are criminals, God’s enemies, and His adversaries. You come to the temple to pray and receive blessing, but God does not answer your prayers, for you killed Jesus, God´s righteous Servant.
Following that, the uneducated witness testified that God had reached out His hand, not in order to bring the nation to Moses, Elijah or John the Baptist, but to Jesus, who had been despised, tormented, and finally killed by the Jews. Jesus’ resurrection was the proof of His holiness in accordance with God’s will and pleasure. The Lord Jesus is living, present, and near to us. Peter’s testimony confirms that Christ did not decay in the tomb, as all other men do, but cast off the bonds of death. He now dwells in the glory of God the Father.
To confirm this frightening message to the Jews, Peter referred his hearers to the healed man standing in their midst, one whom they had known for long years. His renewed muscle tone and straightened bones was the certificate of validity to Peter’s testimony, a proof of Christ’s resurrection.
Luke, the physician, clarified through Peter’s address that healing comes only by grace. Even faith in Jesus is a result of the Savior’s grace to man. Faith in Jesus’ name signifies a confidence in His presence, certainty of His saving will, commitment to Him as the great Physician, and the holding fast to His delivered word. Jesus’ name is full of power. There is no constructive power in our world except that in the unique name of Jesus. The Holy Spirit saves, cures, and sanctifies through this unique and marvelous name alone. No wonder Satan tries, in a thousand ways, to distort this name, make people forget it, or exchange it for other prominent names. Now, dear brother, make sure that you are a hearer of the truth. In the Man Jesus of Nazareth dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. He who commits himself to Him experiences His power. God’s everlasting power is made perfect in our weakness.
Effectual faith is a great mystery, for it is the boldness and confidence of the believer who places his trust completely in Jesus’ name. His trust grows through his continuous looking to the Savior. Jesus expects your undivided faith, your holding fast to the Crucified One, and your being engaged by the power of His resurrection. Come to Jesus, for He is the author and finisher of your faith. Near Him your soul recovers, your spirit is refreshed, and your life is justified. Your faith has saved you.