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)
13. Church Members having all Things in Common (Acts 4:32-37)
Luke, the evangelist, following Peter’s sermon at Pentecost, gave us a close view of how the early church held all things in common. Now, after the healing of the lame man and the apostles’ testimony before their rulers, he gives a favorable view of the internal life of the church. Not only were the apostles filled with the love of Christ, but all the believers were joined to one another in a visible and actual unity. When we reflect on this unity, several points become clear.
The mystery of the early church lay in the fact that its love was true, and not just a passing sentiment. It was a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Their faith in Christ united them in common design, and their prayer as a congregation brought them nearer and nearer to their Lord, the center of the church. Through prayer they grew to one heart and mind. Each felt the other’s need, and they bore both trouble and joy together. It was as if one member´s heart was beating in the other’s breast, and one member´s soul dwelt in the other’s body. Each one had his own personality, but each one also denied self. In this manner, each member of the church obtained one new, comprehensive, and common soul, which became the soul of the local church.
Brotherhood in Christianity is a great mystery. It does not end with possessions and expenditures, but is practically realized in many situations. No one waits for the other’s help, for each one gives support quickly to his needy brother. Giving was a pleasure, and they regarded the love of money as a disgrace. No one worked for himself alone, but served others with his gifts, money, and possessions. The Lord delivered the believers from stinginess, envy, the love of money, and a reliance on personal property. Luke, the evangelist, informed us in his gospel, more than all the other evangelists, how Jesus warned of the danger of the love of money. He testified joyfully that neither the love of money nor an attitude of selfish possession prevailed in the early church. All things were held in common with their brothers.
They all expected Christ’s imminent coming, and sanctified themselves to receive Him. In their great expectation the apostles testified with power and great joy that Jesus was living, present, and carrying out His salvation. Their faith in the living Christ was their power, for by faith they had risen with him from the dead. They testified to the life of God that was dwelling in them. They did not preach an empty doctrine, but a great and active power.
Their Lord confirmed their testimony, and made His grace abound toward those who acknowledged His name. His power was at work, manifesting itself through their abilities and giftings. A spirit of sacrifice and love filled those who were open to Him. Luke twice mentioned the word “great” in his description of the power and grace that was indwelling the believers. We do not often read about this word in the gospel, save where there is fullness and overflowing of the Lord’s gifts. Hence, we recognize the mystery of the effectual testimony of the apostles, and the harmony existing in the church life.
In this voluntary, spiritual socialism there remained no needy, poor, destitute, disturbed, despised, or unqualified person left over. They all experienced joyous, quick assistance, accompanied with prayer and the power of the living God. Sufferings and troubles were overcome by the power of prayer in the church. Disagreements were borne with gratitude and praise. A heavenly tact dwelt on earth through the Holy Spirit. The apostles did not found a charity for the thousands of needy in their nation, but confined their charities to their church members. They felt that they were members of one family, and therefore, did not allow trouble to crop up among themselves.
These brothers in Christ knew their home was in heaven. They did not call what they had their own, for they had willingly forsaken all for God. They knew that God, the Creator, was the Possessor of everything. The Holy Spirit, and not money, reigned over the church. By this principle, we find the believers of Jewish origin being greatly delivered from the love of mammon, in accordance with Christ’s statement: “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” (Mt. 6:24)
The church did not waste the money given to it. Money received from property was placed at the disposal of the apostles. They had forsaken all for Jesus, and were following him steadfastly in poverty. The church members were all certain that none of the apostles would use even a small amount of the money for their own benefit. Moreover, the Holy Spirit did not allow a hair of injustice to happen. He was guiding them altogether to glory.
The number of church members at that time had grown larger. It became necessary for the apostles to sit on a higher place in order to speak to the audience or to see one another. Following the teaching and preaching, contributions were placed on the ground by the apostles’ feet. They were offered with thankfulness for God’s gifts to everyone. Dear believer, to what extent do you thank God?
The apostles did not heap up the money in order to secure the future of the church. They distributed the donations immediately. The fund was overflowing and empty at the same time, just as Peter had said: “Silver and gold I do not have.” In this manner they were giving to the needy at all times, keeping in mind that the Lord had not put the money into their hands just for it to accumulate, but for immediate assistance to those in need.
Luke tells us something of particular interest about Barnabas, whose name appears several times in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles (9: 27; 11: 22- 30; 13: 1- 2; 14: 12- 28; 15: 2). He was the “son of consolation”, which is the original meaning of the word “son of encouragement”. He was filled with the divine Comforter and Helper, the Holy Spirit. Because of this gift he could patiently encourage people to serve the Lord. This son of consolation was a Levite from the island of Cyprus. He or his father had bought an expensive field in Jerusalem as a burial property in expectation of the coming of the promised Christ. They desired to meet with Him at the first moment, as some other non-Christian Jews did in their extreme godliness. Barnabas knew the true Christ, and had His Holy Spirit in him as a guarantee of the glory to come. He became free of Jewish customs, and sold this expensive field. This selling amounted to a rejection of remaining Jewish residues, and was a testimony of expectation that Jesus Christ is coming soon. This stranger did not hold back any part of his money investment in the Holy City as life insurance for his sojourn on earth. He brought the entire price of his field and laid it, silently and humbly, on the ground at the apostles’ feet.