ARCHAEOLOGY/ HISTORY
SINAI PENINSULA
The name "Sinai" is thought to come from the Arab moon god named "Sin". Geographically speaking, the Sinai Peninsula belongs to Egypt, jutting into the Red Sea (creating the two northern arms of the Red Sea). The Sinai Peninsula is part of the Great Rift Valley, where a fracture in the earth's crust is located. Due to the movements of the tectonic plates, this fracture is widening at the rate of about 5mm per year, pushing the peninsula northward. The Sinai Peninsula can be roughly divided into three regions: The northern region consists of sand dunes and fossil beaches made by the nearby Mediterranean Sea during ancient glacial periods. The area is flat, with the occasional limestone hill. The central region is a sparsely inhabited plateau. The southern region is made of granite and other volcanic rock. The climate of Sinai is hot and dry with very little rainfall. However, the region does contain a number of wadis -- natural water channels that fill during the occasional rainstorm. Most of the inhabitants of the Sinai Peninsula live along the coastal areas and several Bedouin tribes live in the region. Because the terrain is so rough, the economic endeavors are limited to mining, fishing, tourism, and offshore oil drilling. For more information, click on the following links:
http://www.sinai4you.com/sina/
http://library.thinkquest.org/C007680/sinai01.html
Modern map of the Sinai Peninsula: http://www.subsinai.com/sinai/map.html

The Sinai Peninsula boasts the Colored Canyon, near the Gulf of Aqaba to the east. The canyon is accessible only with a 4x4 vehicle due to the rough terrain, but it is said to be well worth the trip. The canyon walls reach up to sixteen stories high (approximately 53 meters tall), with natural colors throughout the sandstone formations: pink, purple, silver and gold. This canyon has deeply carved, meandering trenches, high cliffs, and beautiful formations. To see photos of this incredible site, click the following link:
http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/coloredcanyon.htm

The Sinai Peninsula is also host to the Feiran Oasis, said to be the area in which Moses struck the rock to obtain water for the Israelites (Exodus 17:6-7). This oasis is Sinai's largest wadi and holds a lot of biblical significance, for it is thought to be the site of the account mentioned in Exodus chapter 17. In the center of the Feiran Oasis is a lush growth of palm trees, spreading out for 4 kilometers, earning it the nickname "The Pearl of Sinai".
http://www.geographia.com/egypt/sinai/wadifeiran.htm

Mount Sinai is situated in the center of the southern region of the peninsula. It is actually a group of peaks, one of which is thought by many to be the Mt. Sinai, and is accessible by steps built into the mountain on one side, and a more gentler path coming up another side. At the top of it's peak is a chapel, and nearby is an amphitheater. Here are some pictures:
http://www.touregypt.net/mountmoses.htm
http://www.ehabweb.net/mount_sinai.html

The Sinai wilderness, and especially Mount Sinai, had great importance in biblical history. Putting the bits of information from the bible together, here is what the bible has to say regarding this region of the world:
Mount Sinai: Yahweh chose Mount Sinai to be His place in front of the assembly of Israel shortly after their exodus from Egyptian bondage, and is where God gave the Ten Commandments to the Israelites (Exodus 19:10- 20:26). Yahweh continued to use Mount Sinai as His station for some time after giving the Ten Commandments (Exodus 24:16-18). As a result of some of the Israelites' unfaithfulness, Moses, in anger, broke the tablets of the Ten Commandments that God made (Exodus 32:19). Therefore, God told Moses to go back up into the Mountain and carve out two more stone tablets so that God could write the commandments on them again (Exodus 34:1-28). Yahweh continued to station Himself at Mount Sinai all the way through the book of Leviticus, speaking to the people through Moses (Leviticus 25:1, Leviticus 27:34). After this, although the Israelites continued to dwell in the Wilderness of Sinai, Yahweh then started to speak with Moses in the Tent of Meeting (Numbers 1:1).
The Sinai Wilderness: Three months after their exodus the Israelites reached the wilderness of Sinai (Exodus 19:1-2). While remaining in this region, Yahweh commanded that a registration of the families of Israel be done (Numbers 1:2-19). Yahweh also commanded that the Priestly tribe -- the Levites, be registered during their sojourn in the Sinai Wilderness (Numbers 3:14-15). According to scripture, the Israelites stayed about two years in the Sinai Wilderness (Numbers 9:1, 10:11-12). However, since God sentenced them to a forty-year wandering trek (Numbers 14:34), they later returned briefly to the Wilderness of Sinai during the time period (Numbers 33:15-16).

There is plenty of additional information about this biblically significant area of the world that can be found on the Internet. There is simply too much information to include in this eNewsletter, so we encourage you to do a self search and discover more about this region.

BIBLE TOPIC
CHRIST'S ENDORSEMENTS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT
Many people believe in Christ, yet they do not believe that all scripture is historical fact. For example, some believe that the account regarding Adam and Eve was a fable invented to explain things that people couldn't otherwise understand. Others believe that Satan is simply humankind's sinful nature, not a real spiritual entity. Others doubt the existence of other biblical characters and events. The list of such skepticism goes on and on. However, if these things were truly myth and legend, then Christ wouldn't have subscribed to such things as reality. Remember, Christ was the Son of God (Luke 1:30-32), and came to do only the will of God, not his own will (John 5:30). Since the will of God is to worship in truth (John 4:24), then Christ would live by God's truth and speak only that which is true (Luke 20:21).

So the question is: In what ways did Christ endorse certain things in the Old Testament as fact and not fiction? Christ made many different statements during his ministry that clearly showed that certain people and events were factual. Of course, we don't have the space to cover every instance of this, however we can cover a few:

Abraham: Not only was Abraham one of Christ's human ancestors (Matthew 1:2), but Christ quoted Old Testament scripture that mentions God was the God of Abraham (Matthew 22:31).
Adam and Eve: Many believe this account to be fictional. Did Jesus Christ regard the account of Adam and Eve to be a fictional? No. For he considered Adam and Eve's existence as real, as shown by the statement he made at Matthew 19:4-6 (in reference to Genesis 2:24). Along with this, his human ancestry started with Adam (Luke 3:38), (thus if Adam were mythical he wouldn't have been listed as one of Christ's human ancestors).
Burning Bush: Christ also confirmed the account regarding Moses and the Burning Bush Mark 12:26 (Exodus 3:2).
Global Flood: Christ knew the account of the global flood on Noah's day to be true, and used the account to help teach people: Matthew 24:37-39 (Genesis Chapter 7). Along with this, Noah was also amongst Christ's human ancestors (Luke 3:36).
Loaves of Presentation: Christ referred to the act of David and his soldiers in the Old Testament when they ate of the loaves of presentation; Christ considered this to be a fact. (Matthew 12:3-4, 1 Samuel 21:3-6).
Moses: Christ showed that Moses was a real man by referring to different things that Moses said and did. (Matthew 8:4, 19:8, Mark 1:44, John 3:14 (Numbers 21:9)).
Prophets: Christ knew the Old Testament prophets to be real men, and thus frequently referred to the words of the Old Testament prophets when teaching the people. Matthew 24:15 (Daniel 11:31), Matthew 13:14 (Isaiah 6:9), Luke 11:29-30 (Jonah 1:17), Luke 4:17-21 (Isaiah 61:1), Luke 4:25-27 (1 Kings 17:8-9, 2 Kings 5:1-14), etc.
Satan: Christ knew Satan to be a real, sentient, spirit being, not a myth. This is evidenced in that Christ had an actual conversation with Satan shortly after being baptized (Matthew 4:1-10). He knew Satan to be the king of the demons (Matthew 12:24-27).

It is worth pointing out that his factual endorsements were not conveyed in the same manner that his fictional illustrations/parables were. What was the difference? Each of his factual based statements referred to something written in the Old Testament scrolls. Often, he'd even mention that it could be read in the scrolls. By contrast, when he spoke in illustrations or parables he never stated that they referred to something written in a scroll or book elsewhere. He simply told it like a story. It is also worth noting that Christ lived during the age of the Roman Empire, as evidenced by the presence of the Caesars during Christ's lifetime (Matthew 22:20, Luke 2:1, Luke 3:1).This is important because, even though the Roman false gods and myths were prevalent at that time, none of Christ's fictional parables ever referred to them. In fact, all of his parables and illustrations were based on the true God and real spiritual beings, never on the myths or false gods worshiped at the time. (Matthew 13:39, Mark 4:15 & 26, Luke 16:22, etc.) Thus, even when speaking in stories, he kept pure truth remaining in the teachings.

Although this is by no means an exhaustive listing, it serves to show an important thing: One cannot claim belief in Christ and his truthfulness as God's Son, and yet disbelieve other things in the bible. It's an all-or-nothing deal. We encourage everyone who has this split system of belief to look further into the scriptures to find more instances similar to what we've listed here. The results will build your faith deeper and more solidly.

BIBLE Version Critique
New World Translation
http://www.watchtower.org/bible/index.htm
This seems to be one of the most controversial bible versions in print today.

VIRTUES: This version is translated into dozens of languages, and can be obtained in large print, English braille, Portuguese Braille and Spanish Braille. It contains numerous cross references in the center margin and a brief concordance in the back. The appendices give background information on the books, information on the Divine Name, bible maps, and more. Includes a bible topic section that is categorized for easier research, (although a few of the topics are unique to their beliefs). The inside covers display maps of biblical geographical places.
FLAWS: Some consider the addition of God's personal Name into the New Testament a flaw (the original Greek scriptures did not contain this Name). Since it is used primarily by Jehovah's Witnesses, it is frequently considered a sectarian translation.

Some have issues with this version because they believe the translators were unqualified, resulting in a mistranslation of some of the words. However, if one checks any of its verses with an interlinear bible, coupled with a Strong's lexicon/concordance one can see that this version is not inferior to other versions. There is a site on the net titled "101 Questions every Jehovah's Witnesses should be asked using the New World Translation" at: http://www.webshowplace.com/question/101quest.html
The rebuttal to these questions, titled "101 Answers to 101 Questions to ask Jehovah's Witnesses using the NWT can be found at: http://e-watchman.com/questions/101-questions-jehovahs-witnesses-nwt.html

Encouraging Word
Psalms 23
(Darby Translation)
Jehovah is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside still waters.
He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou hast anointed my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely, goodness and loving-kindness shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of Jehovah for the length of the days.

Though this passage doesn't need a commentary regarding it's value for encouragement, we still wish to say a few words: Even in one's darkest hour, it is good to know that Jehovah/Yahweh is there to comfort and refresh us. All we need to do is turn to Him, and He will be there. For those who haven't already done so, we recommend committing this passage to memory from any bible version of your choice. It will be a source of great comfort when you need to draw on them in times of hardship.

GUEST COLUMNIST
WAS THE NEW TESTAMENT ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN JESUS' LANGUAGE?
-- Submitted by: i-witness
http://uk.geocities.com/i_witnessing/index.html

Maybe you think: "What a dumb question, doesn't everyone know that the "New Testament" was written in Greek?" But how sure are we that this is really the case? Why is there so little emphasis on the fact that the Greek text repeatedly shows that Jesus spoke Aramaic?
Many Christians believe that Jesus' disciples wrote the Christian Scriptures in Greek. There is however one problem with this idea. Even though this is commonly accepted in the Western world, there is absolutely no proof for it. On the contrary, Christians in the East have always known and accepted that Jesus and his disciples spoke and wrote in a Palestinian dialect of Aramaic, which was the real lingua franca in the East for centuries before and even for centuries after Jesus' death. This is even evident in the Greek versions at several places where Jesus is quoted as speaking in Aramaic.

Jesus spoke to his disciples in Aramaic
Think for example of the exclamation: "Eli, Eli, lama sabachtani." In the Greek text this is first transliterated and then translated. The Aramaic Gospel of Mark shows that this is a literal quote not of the Hebrew or Greek Scriptures but of what Jesus said in Aramaic. It is followed by an explanation because not all Aramaic speakers spoke the same Galilean dialect as Jesus. This in fact was the reason why some thought he was calling for "Elijah" (Mark 15:34-35).

Recently I've come across evidence that not just a few of Jesus' sayings but the whole "New Testament" has been preserved in Aramaic as part of the "Peshitta" that contains the "Old Testament" as well as the "New Testament" in Aramaic. In the Aramaic "New Testament" a lot of Jesus' words become much clearer. For example, why did Jesus according to the Greek text first say to Peter "Feed my lambs" and then another two times "Feed my little sheep"? This sounds strange in the Greek and in other languages. Often this is explained as "repetition" for emphasis" but in the Aramaic it clearly stands out what Jesus said originally:

15 When they had broken their fast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these things? He said to him, Yes, my Lord, you know that I love you. Jesus said to him, Feed my lambs.

16 He said to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me? He said to him, Yes, my Lord, you know that I love you. Jesus said to him, Feed my sheep.

17 He said to him again the third time, Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me? It grieved Peter because he said to him the third time, Do you love me? So he said to him, My Lord, you understand well everything, you know that I love you. Jesus said to him, Feed my ewes. — John 21:15-17, Lamsa Translation

Jesus spoke of lambs, sheep and ewes. In this way Jesus emphasised that every individual of God's flock, young and old, male and female, is important and needs to be strengthened spiritually. Jesus therefore admonished Peter that he should care for all, men, women and children. This detail was lost completely in the Greek because the Greek translators sometimes did not recognised the subtleties of the Aramaic language.

The Peshitta solves contradictions in the Greek
The Greek text has major contradictions between the accounts of Jesus' genealogies according to Matthew and Luke. Here are a few of them:

Matthew 1:17 mentions that the generations listed follow a 14-14-14 structure. However when we check the generations from Babylon to Jesus there appear to be only 13, which would make a 14-14-13 structure. Therefore the Greek text contradicts itself.
According to the Gospel writers both genealogies are of Joseph, so why do they list different names? Some have tried to explain that Luke actually gives the genealogy through Mary, while Matthew through Joseph, but this is a desperate attempt to make the text say something different than what it really does say.
If in fact no genealogy of Mary is provided, then how could we be sure that Jesus is indeed a descendant of king David?
The reading of the original Aramaic solves this conundrum at once. Whereas the Greek in Matthew 1:16 calls Joseph the "husband" of Mary, the Aramaic text calls him the "gowra" of Mary. This term can mean husband but it can also mean "man" or "father". A few verses later the Aramaic uses a different word when Matthew is talking about "Joseph, the husband of Mary". Apparently Matthew was speaking of two different Josephs and wanted to make clear the difference by using different terms. The Joseph of verse 16 being the father of Mary solves all contradictions:It explains why the genealogies are different: Matthew actually gives Mary's genealogy whereas Luke gives her husband Joseph's.
It provides the "missing" generation so that Matthew's structure of 14-14-14 is correct.
It shows that Mary really was a descendant of David, making Jesus a legal heir to David's throne.

Evidence for Aramaic Primacy
We have considered just a few examples among many where our understanding is enhanced by consulting the English translation of the Peshitta. But there is yet much more evidence for Aramaic Primacy like:
Jesus' and the disciples' use of poetry and wordplay that is often lost in the Greek translations.
Semitic idiom: particular sayings that are unique to Semitic languages and don't translate well to Greek.
Split words: words that have multiple meanings in the Peshitta resulted in different translations in Greek. In one example one Aramaic word caused seven different Greek translations; undeniable proof of Peshitta primacy.
Historical proof. The external testimony of early Christians confirms Aramaic Primacy.

Loan words, bad Greek grammar, etc.
The evidence for Aramaic primacy is very extensive. We have presented just a few examples that have been adapted from information found on this web site: Aramaic Peshitta Bible Repository. We will highlight some more examples in future articles. Meanwhile I would like to encourage anyone, who would like to know more about what Jesus said originally, to visit this web site where you can find free online English translations of the Aramaic Peshitta, among which the Lamsa Translation is very recommended.

If you would like to first examine more extensively the Aramaic Primacy issue, then you should read the document "Was the New Testament Really Written in Greek?" on the above web site. This document is very thorough, but quite long. If you're in a hurry and would like to read something a bit more condensed, then you should choose the document "Aramaic Peshitta Primacy for Dummies".

Maybe you're wondering whether the Peshitta resolves any major issues concerning Bible teachings that effect our faith. Yes, it does indeed. One issue that it resolves is the question whether Jesus provided signs for his "presence" or for his "coming". I have examined this issue by comparing the Greek text with the Peshitta. Read about the results of this research in this article:
Christ's "Presence" or "Coming" - In the light of the Ancient Eastern text

Copyright © 2006 i-witnessing — All rights reserved

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Unless indicated otherwise all scriptures are quoted from the "New-World Translation of the Holy Scriptures," published by the Watchtower Society, 1984 edition.

This article can be viewed online at:
http://uk.geocities.com/i_witnessing/articles/NT_written_in_Jesus_language.html

NEWS BYTES
(CNSNews.com)
One year after China implemented new regulations on religion that it said would end discrimination, campaigners continue to report abuses; and some question whether the situation has improved at all for believers. Read more...
http://www.crosswalk.com/news/1381803.html

Christian Wire Service
For the fourth straight year, the isolated communist nation of North Korea remains atop the 2006 Open Doors “World Watch List” of 50 countries where Christians are persecuted the most. Read more...
http://www.earnedmedia.org/open0301.htm

Baptist Press
Adding momentum to what some see as a national challenge to Roe v. Wade, Mississippi's House of Representatives easily passed a bill March 2 banning most abortions. Read more...
http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=22773

JWOPI
Early in February 2006, the Federal Administrative Court (BVerwG) in Leipzig confirmed the court decision of the High Administrative Court (OVG) in Berlin to grant Jehovah’s Witnesses recognition as a Corporation of Public Right. The ruling of the Federal Administrative Court was a welcome reaffirmation to Jehovah’s Witnesses, who have been active in Germany for over 100 years and who are well-known there as well as around the world for their signature work of teaching the Bible. Read more...
http://www.jw-media.org/newsroom/index.htm?content=/region/europe/germany/english/releases/religious_freedom/ger_e060227.htm

PEOPLE OF THE BIBLE
PRAETORIAN GUARD
The Praetorian Guard is mentioned at Philippians 1:13, when the imprisoned apostle Paul refers to them as being his prison guards. Although some bible versions refer to them as the "Palace Guard" or the "Imperial guard", the word "Praetorian" is found in: The American Standard Version, Darby Translation, The New American Standard Version, New World Translation, and Young's Literal Translation.

The Praetorian Guard started out as the bodyguards of warlords, and later they became the bodyguards of the Roman Emperors. They were among the most skilled and celebrated warriors, they had a position of prestige. The term "Praetorian" came from the tent of the commanding general or praetor of a Roman army in the field—the praetorium.The Praetorian Guard were the only body of armed soldiers permitted south of the Rubicon, a river which marked the northern boundary of Italy. When Augustus Caesar came to power, he chose nine cohorts of Praetorian Guard, with each cohort comprised of 500 men (later increased to 1,000 each). He was the only emperor that was able to keep the complete loyalty of his Praetorian Guard cohorts. After his death the Praetorian Guard served their own interests, although the successive emperors continued to use their services. Although they could serve faithfully to an Emperor, the Praetorian Guard's self-made political power remained obvious to the Romans. Such displays of their power were shown in that they committed assassinations, and at times installed particular Emperors to the throne, daring anyone to challenge them on it, although they themselves played no role in governmental administration. The Praetorian Guard continued to increase the abuse of their power, taking bribes, killing off people at will, and at times turning against their own Roman people. However, in spite of this, they did support the "good" rulers more than the tyrannical rulers, and did have a positive influence in the Roman Empire because of this.

The Praetorian Guard existed up until about 284 A.D., when Diocletian reduced the status of the Guard and replaced them with two new corps of guards: The Jovians and the Herculians. By the time Diocletian died in 305, there was only one small garrison of Praetorian Guard existing in Rome.

For more detailed information regarding the Praetorian Guard, you can read the article posted at Wikipedia on this link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Praetorian_Guard

VOCABULARY ENRICHMENT
COVENANT:
A mutual agreement between two or more persons to do or refrain from doing certain acts; sometimes the undertaking of one of the parties. In the bible God is regarded as the witness of this pact (Genesis 31:50, 1 Samuel 20:8). In the Old Testament there are three different types of covenant: 1 -- A two sided covenant between human parties, both of which voluntarily accept the terms of the agreement (1 Samuel 18:3-4, Malachi 2:14, Obadiah 7). 2 -- A one sided disposition imposed by a superior party (Ezekiel 17:13-14). In this God commands a covenant which man, the servant, is to obey (Joshua 23:16). 3 -- God's self imposed obligation, for the reconciliation of sinners to Himself (Deuteronomy 7:6-8, Psalms 89:3-4). Covenants of God: 1) Edenic: God's promise of redemption (Genesis 3:15). 2) Noachin: for the preservation of the race (Genesis 9:9). 3) Abrahamic: Granting blessings through Abram's family (Genesis 15:18). 4) Sinaitic: designating Israel as God's chosen people (Exodus 19:5-6). 5) Levitical: Making reconciliation through priestly atonement (Numbers 25:12-13). 6) Davidic: Messianic salvation promised through David's dynasty (2 Samuel 23:5). The prophets foretold a New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34) which would center in a person (Isaiah 42:6, 49:8). In the New Covenant man is placed in right relationship to God through Christ (Hebrews 7:22, 8:6-13, 2 Corinthians 3:6-18).

Source: Zondervan's Compact Bible Dictionary, 1993 edition

WEBSITE OF THE MONTH
KING JAMES VOCABULARY
http://www.pc-shareware.com/kjvocab.htm
This is a software program that contains a dictionary for the more than 800 outdated words used in the King James Version. This program is a dictionary, tutor, and tester. It also includes several essays regarding the King James Version, and you can print off whatever information you need for better portability. This is a definite tool for those whose only bible is a KJV.