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)
Peter did not stand as a judge before the disturbed Jews, but called them “brethren”, even knowing that they were not born again. Jesus, however, forgave them all their sins on the cross, pouring out the Holy Spirit on them, who was ready to indwell them. The promise was not only to them, but for all those who believed. Peter had already ascertained that the salvation awaiting them would pierce them through, manifesting the purposes of His grace in them.
The leader of the disciples revealed the power of Jesus’ vicarious death on the cross when He prayed: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” This was profound clarification to the significance of the offence of the Jews and their leaders. This word of indulgence from Peter’s mouth was dependent upon his own experience, for the risen Lord had justified him freely, in spite of his previous denial and blasphemy. He had been forgiven by grace, in spite of his hidden sin, and not because of his good deeds or clean behavior. Peter had been encouraged by his own personal experience. He revealed the grace of Jesus Christ openly and absolutely. He had already made clear to his hearers their sin, pricking them to the heart with all frankness and sincerity. After the judgment and conviction of the Holy Spirit comes a refreshing, blessed comfort to the penitent believer.
Peter listened to Jesus’ words after His resurrection with excessive interest. He realized there was no way for the world to be saved but by Christ’s sufferings. The Lamb of God had to die, as all the good prophets had foretold. This was the primary will of God, which He had previously made known. He had determined to put all the sins and the shame of the whole world on His innocent Son. He and He alone was able and worthy to die in the flame of God’s anger in our stead. The Heavenly Father may have preferred to die Himself for the evil world, rather than offering up His only Son. Nevertheless, in His great and magnificent being, He is the bearer of the universe. He had no alternative but to let His Son die instead of us. Without Jesus´ death of atonement there would be no forgiveness.
Christ’s visible anointing with the Holy Spirit apparently appeared as a result of His substitutionary suffering for us. He who meditates on the cross looks directly into the heart of God, who loved mortal sinners so much that He gave his obedient Son that fruitless transgressors could be sanctified, and continue on in Him to bear much fruit.
Peter confirmed from the Old Testament that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ of God, who had died in harmony with His Father´s plan, and not accidentally, at the hand of murderers. He then began his wider attack, challenging his hearers to be converted. The word “repentance” does not only signify an emotion of sorrow, or tears of shame, but the entire changing of the whole course of life. It signifies the leaving behind of false goals and the turning to Christ, who is the divine, true goal. This turning includes the confessing of sins, acknowledgment of our deserving God’s anger, faith in free grace, and continuance in the forgiveness richly given to us. Complete commitment to God and a broken heart is met by an unlimited, absolute grace. Christ alone finished our salvation on the cross, so that the one who believes is justified.
Times of relief and peace with God and the manifestation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit begin when the righteousness of God indwells hearts. Faith in Christ and sincere repentance do not simply confirm to the world that Jesus dwells in His followers, neither do they merely list the theological results of His death. Instead, this faith results in receiving divine power through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Have you, dear brother, entered into communion with God? Have you repented and changed your life’s designs. Embrace Christ as the personal Savior of your life so that you may continue in the New Covenant and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Be aware, dear believer, that the chief goal of the New Covenant is not the forgiveness of sins, the receiving of everlasting life, or the miracle of the Holy Spirit´s gifts, but the coming of Christ Himself. All of creation is waiting for Him and longing for the ending of the partition between the Creator and His creation, when the powers of His life will overcome and renew the general destruction in the universe. This is the renewal we are longing for. The renewal in believers today is the guarantee of the complete glory to be made evident at the coming of Christ. In due time, He will restore all things to the perfect state of the creation before man´s fall into sin.
The disciples understood their Lord’s ascension in the context of a preparation for His coming. They knew that His remaining unseen with the Father for a time was necessary for a spiritual revolution on earth. His ascension was also to pave the way for the renovation of the whole creation, the restoration of all things. The ascension of Christ was also the condition upon which the indwelling of the Holy Spirit depended, who came to begin renewal among us.
All the true prophets refer to Christ’s coming as marking the end of world history. The end of our existence is not judgment, but the joy of renewal and gladness over the restoration of all things to their original state. The center of creation is no less than the promised prophet of whom Moses spoke. He is the Guarantor of the New Covenant, which far surpasses the Old Covenant of Moses. He who refuses this New Covenant with God will no longer have hope, for the one who is stony-hearted refuses grace itself. God will consume all people who refuse Christ. World history is nothing but the visible result of an acceptance or refusal of Christ.
After this profound, extensive proclamation, Peter encouraged the Jews to embrace Jesus. He made it clear to them that they were the children of the prophets and members of the covenant that God had made with their fathers. God knew the people were not and could not make covenant with Him as participants on the same level. Nevertheless, the everlasting, holy Creator bound Himself to His sinful, temporal, transgressing creatures. This is the essence of His great grace.
This history of God with demagogic men began with His choosing Abraham. The Holy One told this traveler that one of his sons, according to the flesh, would become the bearer of God’s blessing to all families of the earth. God carried out His plan in spite of all satanic opposition and human failure. He realized the coming of the day when the Holy Spirit would explode the border of the Old Covenant, calling all peoples into communion with God. Nevertheless, Peter first offered grace to the Jews, and he who believed was saved.
God blessed His enemies, giving those who nailed His Son to the cross a chance to repent. Christ rose from the dead in complete harmony with the will of His Father. He exalted Him to glory, that the Son might bestow every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm on His followers. The Lord blessed the hearts of prepared hearers, leading them to turn and repent. Man does not repent in and of himself, for it is the Holy Spirit who helps him to believe in Christ. If man does not repent of his wickedness and leave off with his malice, he will never be able to enter into communion with Christ. God expects us to turn to Him readily and willfully. He begins to work in us the coming restoration of all things. Have you left off with your sins, dear believer? Are you holding fast to Christ?