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)
5. Saul Baptized at the Hand of Ananias (Acts 9:6-19)
Saul was not only frightened, but about to die. Everything important in his life till then, his faith, dignity, righteousness, zeal, and will were all at once broken by the appearance of Him who had been raised from the dead. Saul understood: “I am at fault. I am the enemy of God, and the agent of Satan. All my education and godliness did not help me. I am rebellious, ungrateful, and reprobate.” There is no greater fall than the fall of him who claims godliness in himself, for with the fall comes the knowledge that every man is an enemy of God by nature.
Yet Jesus did not destroy the persecutor of His church, but gave him a chance to repent. Saul mumbled: “Lord, what do you want me to do?” Following this moment Saul was never free again. He had dispensed with his freedom and became a servant of Jesus. He found his Lord, and submitted to Him unconditionally and forever. His Lord cured him of his spiritual blindness and of his belief in an inactive monotheism. Saul realized that Jesus is the living Lord, and the one, true God with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
The Lord immediately examined the faith of him who had been crushed, commanding him to go to Damascus. Only minutes earlier Saul had been determined to enter the gates of the capital on the back of his horse, as a strong, zealous reformer. Now he would enter Damascus staggering, led by his frightful companions, through the gates of the city. He stopped at the house of some friends, who were astonished at hearing the news of the glorious light that had appeared to them on the wilderness road.
Saul did not talk with anyone, but instead isolated himself, prayed, and fasted. He separated himself from the living to come to God. He longed only for submission to the Most High, peace with God, and implicit obedience to Him. Saul knew that the Lord Jesus was living, and that He had not rejected him. He prayed, asking for His forgiveness and salvation from the wrath of God. He penetrated deeply into the meaning of the resurrection from the dead and the mysteries of the cross. He built himself up on the truths of the New Testament.
Jesus answered all his prayers of repentance. He immediately commissioned a believer named Ananias to go to Saul and help him enter into this new life. The Lord did not entrust this task to a great messenger, or a glorious angel, but a man hardly known, yet who had the support of God. At the same time, the Lord revealed to the praying Saul that Ananias would come to him and lay his hands on his head in the name of Jesus. Being so prepared, he would not reject his coming to him.
Ananias was not cheerful about receiving this commission from the Lord. He feared Saul, and trembled at his authority. All the believers knew that this young, biblically conversant Saul, was a rebellious, wicked devil, and a persecutor of the saints in Jerusalem. It appeared unimaginable to Ananias for him to lay his hands on this transgressor. Should the Holy Spirit dwell in him who had not known Jesus, and who had not sincerely repented! But the Lord broke through the reluctance of the disturbed Ananias, and ordered him simply: “Go! When Jesus calls you and orders you to do something then do it, whether it is to go, to speak, to do, or to pray. Carry out the Lord’s command completely and at once. Your King will not wait long. He expects from you immediate obedience.”
Jesus did not clarify to Ananias the account of His appearance to Saul and the reason for Saul’s change. He told the humble man of prayer, however, the purpose of His sending him to Saul. He was going to commission Saul and send him forth as His chosen ambassador. God had chosen him to be a vessel of grace, filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.
Have you understood this work of grace? God made out of His enemy an apostle, and out of him who had born grudge against Him a lover of Christ. He saved him who had been drowned by the blindness of bigotry and self-conceit. He used him to spiritually open the eyes of millions. The Holy Spirit dwelt in this repentant man who was formerly demon-possessed. He freed him from all his reliance on earthly foundations, and confirmed him in the living grace and hope of Christ. Saul came to bear the name of Jesus in his innermost being. He confessed Him with his lips, with his heart, and with his mind; his mind was filled with the name of Jesus. Saul became fully charged with this unique name.
Do you know who the true Christian is? It is the one in whom Christ dwells in word and in behavior, in self-control, truth, righteousness, and power. Does Christ shine clearly in your life?
Paul was to bear witness to Christ before kings, princes, and rulers, bound like his Lord had been and led by guards. His Lord also sent him to the Hellenistic Jews. Paul was divided in his love for the Gentiles and his love for the children of his nation. His heart suffered under the ignorance of the first, and from the rage of the latter. He who reads Paul´s epistles knows how much he suffered for the name of Jesus. In spite of that, he did not boast of his suffering, for he knew he had no reward or merit except grace, and nothing else.
Ananias astoningly heard the Lord’s revelation concerning Saul’s future. He believed the Lord´s word and went to him. He probably inquired about what had happened to Saul on the road, for he spoke to the blind one in the name of the Lord who had appeared to him on the road. This Lord Jesus turned this former enemy of Ananias into his brother. The grace of Christ changes people completely. It brings peace between adversaries, and turns them into brothers in the family of God’s love.
The praying Ananias knew only that the Lord Jesus was not sending him to Saul just to open his physical eyes. He also knew that the result of the ceremonial laying on of his hands was to be the fullness of the Holy Spirit, the indwelling of forgiveness, the realization of peace with God, the commission to service, and the strengthening of love in the power of humility. Paul could not produce these virtues in himself, and neither could they be produced in his culture or from the racism in his people. Christ chose to send to him a simple brother filled with the Holy Spirit, so that none should boast.
The uneducated Ananias came and laid his hands on the head of the legal expert. Immediately Saul regained his sight, and the seeker of God was filled with the Spirit of the Lord. No one could explain this moment in Paul’s life except Luke the physician, who wrote that something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes. He realized that the eternal Judge is also his heavenly Father. He who was crucified and despised is the meek Lamb of God. The Holy Spirit is the love of God Himself, and the resurrected Christ is the awaited hope of glory coming soon. In this moment the salvation of Christ was realized in the penitent Saul. His heart became illuminated just as an electric lamp lights up a deep, black tunnel.
After his baptism with the Holy Spirit, Saul also practiced the baptism of water. He was desirous to obey all the words of Christ. He testified before church members and the entire world that he had left the old life, with its lifeless doctrine, and had entered into everlasting life, becoming confirmed in the New Testament. Saul considered his past to be buried; a new man named Paul had arisen.
Following this event we read something pleasant: He who had been redeemed did not begin speaking with inspiring praises, nor did he burst forth speaking in tongues. He asked for food. Having fasted for three days and three nights he ate well. As soon as he was reconciled to God, his body and soul were rejuvenated under the current of the Holy Spirit. He became a normal man. Paul did not continue his walk of asceticism, but ate, and drank, and lived for his glorious Lord.