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Steve DuPlessie | April 25, 2019

Many news reports of the violent bombing by Islamic terrorists of four Christian churches in Sri Lanka on Resurrection Sunday (April 21, 2019) that resulted in more than 250 (to date) deaths have described the victims as “Easter worshippers.” President Obama and Hillary Clinton used that same language, as if our sisters and brothers in Christ who were deliberately targeted for this single largest coordinated terrorist attack by ISIS were worshipping a holiday, not a person.

The unwillingness by the media — and the US political elite — to honor the dead by calling them “Jesus worshippers,” “Christ followers,” or the universally accepted name of “Christians,” belies the growing inability of the mainstream press et al to be honest about who the aggressors are, and who the victims are in these increasingly common events.

Whether it is a misguided attempt to placate the violent, Islamic haters, or a politically correct avoidance of the use of the name, Christian — either way, it stinks. As in, it smells rotten.

Some suffer from the delusion of the history of the Crusades (the attempts by European Christians to regain Jerusalem and other cities captured by Muslims): somehow thinking that the 548 battles launched by followers of Muhammad in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe from 620-1880AD (and arguably still continuing today if you count the attempt by ISIS to establish a Caliphate in Syria) are justified by the 16 battles fought by the Crusaders in the Middle East, Egypt, and Turkey from 1080-1260AD.

Let me do the math for you. That’s 1,260 years of Jihad. And 180 years of Crusades. 548 battles of Jihad. 16 battles of the Crusades. Jihad that “ended” in 1880AD (and that is being generous given the nightly news today). Crusades that ended in 1260AD, 759 years ago.

So who’s the aggressor here? Who’s the victim here? Why won’t the mainstream press call it what it is – ongoing, apparently-never-ending, violent war by Muslims against Christians? Boko Haram in Nigeria. ISIS in Syria. ISIS in Sri Lanka. Al-Shabab in Kenya. Abu Sayyaf in the Philipines. Al Badr in India. Al-Queada in southern Asia. Harkat-ul-Jihad al Islami in Bangladesh. And literally dozens of additional violent Islamic terrorist groups actively conducting Jihad (holy war) today in dozens of countries around the world. Why won’t the western press be honest?

We shouldn’t be surprised. Jesus said, “They hated me; they’ll hate you” (John 15:18). So it seems both the followers of Muhammad, and the mainstream press, are united in one thing — they disrespect, they hate followers of Jesus.

It’s easy for me to get angry at the injustice of the murderous Islamic violence, and the sniviling injustice of the media elites. But I try to follow Jesus who said, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you…” (Matthew 5:44).

May God bless the families of the victims — both those who died and the 400+ who survived with grave injuries. And may God have mercy on the souls of the haters of followers of Jesus — Muslim and media alike.

Get your bible, a pen, a cup of java, and a comfortable chair … and consider these Old Testament prophecies and the New Testament fulfillment by Jesus.

I suggest you look up each OT Prophecy reference, and write the corresponding NT Fulfillment reference out in the margin next to that OT verse. Then, look up the NT Fulfillment reference for that prophecy, and write the corresponding OT Prophecy reference out in the margin — creating your own cross-reference system of Bible prophecy fulfilled in Jesus. You’ll be blessed by this study in God’s Word!

1. Born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:1; Luke 2:4-7)
2. Born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:21-23)
3. A descendant of Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3; 22:18; Matthew 1:1; Galatians 3:16)
4. Of the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10; Luke 3:23, 33; Hebrews 7:14)
5. Of the house of King David (2 Samuel 7:12-16; Matthew 1:1)
6. Herod killing the infants (Jeremiah 31:15; Matthew 2:16-18)
7. Taken to Egypt (Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:14-15)
8. Heralded by the messenger of the Lord – John the Baptist (Isaiah 40:3-5; Malachi 3:1; Matt. 3:1-3)
9. Anointed by the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11:2; Matthew 3:16-17)
10. Preached good news (Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:14-21)
11. Performed miracles (Isaiah 35:5-6; Matthew 9:35)
12. Cleansed the Temple (Malachi 3:1; Matthew 21:12-13)
13. Ministered in Galilee (Isaiah 9:1; Matthew 4:12-16)
14. Entered Jerusalem as a king on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:4-9)
15. First presented as King 173,880 days from the decree to rebuild Jerusalem (Dan 9:25; Mt 21:4-11)
16. Rejected by Jews (Psalm 118:22; 1 Peter 2:7)
17. Died a humiliating death (Psalm 22; Isaiah 53)
18. Rejection (Isaiah 53:3; John 1:10-11; 7:5,48)
19. Betrayal by a friend (Psalm 41:9; Luke 22:3-4; John 13:18)
20. Sold for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12; Matthew 26:14-15)
21. Silence before His accusers (Isaiah 53:7; Matthew 27:12-14
22. Being mocked (Psalm 22: 7-8; Matthew 27:31)
23. Beaten (Isaiah 52:14; Matthew 27:26)
24. Spit upon (Isaiah 50:6; Matthew 27:30)
25. Piercing His hands and feet (Psalm 22:16; Matthew 27:31)
26. Being crucified with thieves (Isaiah 53:12; Matthew 27:38)
27. Praying for His persecutors (Isaiah 53:12; Luke 23:34)
28. Piercing His side (Zech 12:10; John 19:34)
29. Given gall and vinegar to drink (Psalm 69:21, Matthew 27:34, Luke 23:36)
30. No broken bones (Psalm 34:20; John 19:32-36)
31. Buried in a rich man’s tomb (Isaiah 53:9; Matthew 27:57-60)
32. Casting lots for His garments (Psalm 22:18; John 19:23-24).
33. Rose from the dead! (Psalm 16:10; Mark 16:6; Acts 2:31)
34. Ascended into Heaven (Psalm 68:18; Acts 1:9)
35. Sat down at the right hand of God (Psalm 110:1; Hebrews 1:3)

Q – Why should I be baptized?

A – There are two good reasons why all believers in Jesus Christ should be baptized. First, Jesus commanded that the apostles should baptize all new disciples “in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit” (see Matthew 28:19). So being baptized as a follower of Jesus is the first step of obedience to his command. Second, the early church always baptized those who believed in Jesus as their Savior and Lord (Acts 2:41; 8:26-39; 9:18). Since then, for over 2,000 years—all around the world—followers of Jesus have been baptized. We join a very long parade when we follow the example of those who have gone before us by being baptized. So our baptism is something that we share with other Bible-believing Christians around the world.

Q – What does baptism mean?

A – The English word “baptism” comes directly from the Greek word “baptizo” which simply means to “wash,” “bathe,” “dunk,” “dip,” “plunge,” “submerge,” or “immerse” (See Luke 11:38 where the English word “wash” is used to translate the Greek “baptizo”). Originally, baptizo had no theological or religious connotation. Rather, the word baptizo was used in every day conversation to describe a piece of cloth that was dipped in dye or a ship that had been sunk in a battle or. Other times it was used to refer to someone who had drowned or a cup that was dipped into a pitcher to drink from.

                There is a second way in which the term “baptize” was used in the Jewish faith. The Jews developed a way in which Gentiles could become Jewish. It involved a number of things, including circumcision, a covenant meal, the agreement to obey Jewish law, and a ritual bath. The term used to describe that ritual bath was bapto, meaning to “wash,” “dip,” or “immerse.” The person who desired to become Jewish would baptize themselves. The “bath” was an outward sign that they were washing away the old Gentile life and dying to the old life as a Gentile and were being resurrected to the new life as a Jew. As a pledge of allegiance to the new identity, those who desired to adopt the Jewish faith as their own participated by baptizing themselves as a sign of their commitment.

                What happened next involved John the Baptist. John got his name because of what people saw him doing. His unique role of baptizing other people was something that had never been done before, so it was natural that people came to watch. He was literally “John the Washer.” The baptism of John the Baptist was a baptism of repentance, demonstrating publicly that the individual was turning from their sin. John took an ordinary word that meant to “wash,” “dip,” “plunge,” “submerge,” or “immerse,” and coined it for the specific task he was performing. Soon it became almost exclusively associated with Christianity, and thus the word baptism appears in the New Testament.

                The apostle Paul explains the new meaning of baptism for Christians, for believers, for followers of Jesus Christ: “…all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death. We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life…” (Rom. 6:1-7).

                To summarize: Christian baptism is a public demonstration of leaving the old life behind, and beginning a new life as a Christ-follower. It is an outward public illustration of what has already happened spiritually “inside” us.

Q – Do I have to be baptized to be saved? Does baptism save me?

A – A few verses in the New Testament appear—In isolation—to imply that baptism is what saves you (Acts 2:38; 22:16). But there are a number of New Testament passages that clearly indicate that baptism is not necessary for salvation.

                First, Jesus said “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Notice that Jesus did not mention baptism as a requirement for salvation. Second is the example of Jesus’ conversation with the dying thief on the cross. Jesus said “Today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:42, 43). The thief had no time to be baptized, yet was saved. Third, when the apostle Paul explains the gospel that he preached that saved the Corinthians, he did not include baptism:  “…I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, … that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures…” (1 Cor. 15:1-4ff). Salvation is by God’s grace through faith in his Son, Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9), not anything that we do.

Q – What about the “How?” Why do we go under the water in the tank?

A – The tank itself is not important. And actually the “How?” is not as important as the “Why?”.  But we immerse, dip, dunk, sink people in water because that is what the word baptizo means. Jesus himself was baptized—dipped, immersed, dunked—by John the Baptist (see Matthew 3:13-17) in the Jordan River. And baptism by immersion is a powerful illustration of the fact that Jesus died, was buried and rose againfor us! So we go under the water, and rise up again—a cool picture that tells everyone “When Jesus died, I died. When he rose again, I rose to new life!” See Romans 6:1-7.

Q – If I was baptized at an early age and didn’t accept Christ Jesus until later, should I be re-baptized? When should a new believer get baptized?

A – First, about re-baptism. In Acts 19:1-7 we read of those who had received the baptism of John, but who had not been baptized as believers in Jesus Christ (nor had the Holy Spirit yet come upon them). These folks were re-baptized in the name of Jesus when they understood the truth about Jesus. From Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:19 and the examples in the Book of Acts we understand that every believer ought to be baptized. It is also clear that one is to be baptized as a believer. Other texts such as Romans 6:3ff seem to indicate that every believer would have (or should have) been baptized as a believer. If you have not yet been baptized as a believer—even if you came to faith years ago— you should be baptized.

Q – Should infants be baptized?

A – The short answer is no. Here’s why: First, there is no account in the New Testament of an infant being baptized. Water baptism is an evidence of one’s personal faith and understanding of the truths of Romans 6 as they demonstrate the results of our being united with or joined into union with Christ by the baptizing work of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:12-13). Infants cannot grasp this truth and baptizing an infant cannot ensure they will one day respond to Christ by faith.

                Acts 16:31 is a good illustration of the need of personal, individual faith for all members of one’s household. “And they said, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you and your household.’” The words, “and your household,” must be connected with “believe” as well as “be saved.” Each member of the household must believe in order to be saved. There is no evidence that this household included infants. So we practice “believer’s baptism” at Good News.

                Some see infant baptism as the New Testament equivalent of the Hebrew rite of circumcision—an initiation into the New Covenant. The plain reading of the New Testament does not teach this “covenant’ approach to baptism. And there is no example of infant baptism in the New Testament. The apostle Paul teaches that God wants not the physical circumcision of the flesh but the spiritual “circumcision of the heart” (Romans 2:28). We do “dedicate” infants—but do not do infant baptism.

Q – What are the historical origins of infant baptism?

A – As the church was in an evangelistic mode in the first three centuries we find clear statements of the fact of believers’ baptism upon conversion. But in the ancient church there arose the concept that baptism was the initiation rite into the community of faith (like circumcision), and some thought that infants born into that community are to be baptized. A second factor appears to have been the rise of the idea of original sin and the belief that baptism “washed away the stain of original sin”. Third, the ordinances very early were understood as actually conveying God’s grace and accomplishing something spiritually. We find explicit mention of infant baptism by Tertullian around A.D. 220. He mentions the practice in conjunction with sponsors who would aid in the child’s spiritual training which appears to be the origin of the practice of “godparents.”

                There is a helpful paragraph from Phillip Schaff’s History of the Christian Church regarding baptism in the ancient church:

“In reviewing the patristic doctrine of baptism … we should remember that during the first three centuries, and even in the age of Constantine, adult baptism was the rule, and that the actual conversion of the candidate was required as a condition before administering the sacrament (as is still the case on missionary ground). … But when the same high view is applied without qualification to infant baptism, we are confronted at once with the difficulty that infants cannot comply with this condition. They may be regenerated (this being an act of God), but they cannot be converted, i.e., they cannot repent and believe, nor do they need repentance, having not yet committed any actual transgression. Infant baptism is an act of consecration, and looks to subsequent instruction and personal conversion, as a condition to full membership of the church. Hence confirmation came in as a supplement to infant baptism.”

Q – Must I be baptized to join a church?

A – The short answer is “No.”There is a very delicate balance that we must maintain here. In the Book of Acts you do not see anyone coming to faith without being baptized (for example the new converts in Acts 2:41; the new believers in Samaria in Acts 8:13, 16; the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:36-39; Paul in Acts 9:18; those in the household of Cornelius in Acts 10:47-48). In terms of the Book of Acts it is inconceivable that one would come to faith in Christ and not be baptized. In some countries and cultures today a profession of faith is not taken seriously apart from baptism—it’s at your baptism that persecution begins. While holding to the necessity of baptism as an act of obedience (Matthew 28:18-20, underscored and reinforced by the example and practice of the apostles as we see in the Book of Acts), we must also be on guard against making baptism the means of salvation. Salvation is by God’s grace alone, through faith alone-not any form of spiritual works.

Q – What was John the Baptist promising his followers when he baptized them?

A – John the Baptist was the forerunner of our Lord. As the last and greatest of the Old Testament prophets, he was announcing that the Messiah promised in the Old Testament was soon coming. John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance (Mark 1:4; Acts 19:4), an acknowledgement of sin, and of the need for the forgiveness of sins—which Messiah (the “Lamb of God”) would bring about. So John’s baptism was the symbol of their acknowledgement of sin, and of their need for a Savior. It was a preparatory baptism, but (as we see in Acts 19:1-7) it did not eliminate the need for “believer’s baptism” once they had come to faith in Jesus as that promised Messiah. This is why the church baptized all new believers, and why all believers today should be baptized as well.
Resources:  Web site: http://www.Bible.org/topic.php?topic_id=62.     Book: Baptism: the believer’s first obedience. By Larry Dyer. Kregle Publication.

Q – What does baptism mean?
A – Christian baptism is a public demonstration of leaving the old life behind, and beginning a new life as a follower of Jesus. It is an outward “illustration” of what has already happened spiritually “inside” us.
     The apostle Paul explains the meaning of baptism for Christians, for believers, followers of Jesus Christ: “…all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death. We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Rom. 6:1-7  

Q – Do I have to be baptized to be saved? Does baptism save me?
A – Baptism does not save you. You are saved by God’s grace through faith in the death of Jesus on the cross in your place (Ephesians 2:8,9). A few verses in the New Testament appear-in isolation-to imply that baptism is what saves you (Acts 2:38; 22:16). But there are a number of New Testament passages that clearly indicate that baptism is not necessary for salvation. Jesus said “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” – John 3:16.  Notice that Jesus did not mention baptism as a requirement for salvation.

Q – Why do we go under the water?
A – We immerse, dip, dunk, sink people in water because that is what the Greek word baptizo means in the bible. Jesus himself was baptized – dipped, immersed, dunked – by John the Baptist (see Matthew 3:13-17). And baptism by immersion in water is a simple but powerful illustration of the fact that Jesus died, was buried and rose again – for us! So we go under the water, and rise up again – a cool picture that tells everyone “When Jesus died, I died. When he rose again, I rose to new life, too!” See Romans 6:1-7 and Colossians 2:12.

If you would like to be baptized as a believer in Jesus in obedience to Jesus’ command that all his followers be baptized (Matthew 28:19), please see any of the elders.

I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME
PHILIPPIANS 4:16

Jesus faced every temptation by quoting Scripture he had memorized. (See Matthew 4:1-11) Here are eight key verses for you to memorize and be prepare for the inevitable battle with the devil’s temptations.

LUST – Flee from sexual immorality. … your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit … You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. – 1 CORINTHIANS 6: 18, 19, 20

ANGER – Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. – EPHESIANS 4:29

GREED – I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. The Lord is my shepherd, I have all I need – PHILIPPIANS 4:12; PSALM 23:1

ENVY – put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;to be made new in the attitude of your minds;and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. – EPHESIANS 4:22b-24

PRIDE – Pride goes before destruction… In humility consider others better than yourselves. Look not only for your own interest but for the interests of others. – PROVERBS 16:18; PHILIPPIANS 2:4

GLUTTONY – your body is the temples of the Holy Spirit … You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
– 1 CORINTHIANS 6:19, 20

LAZINESS – Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as for the Lord, not for men. – COLOSSIANS 3:22                                            

Finding the right Bible depends on who
will be reading it and why

by Steve DuPlessie  

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”
– 2 Timothy 3:16 ESV

The Bible is the best-selling book of all time. But with 21 different English translations (and counting!) available in more than 1,000 different editions, which is the right Bible for you?

Did you know?
The bible is a collection of “books”  written over a period of about 1,500 years by over 40 different authors in three different languages on one theme!

Imagine translating a letter that you received from a friend who wrote it to you in Spanish. If you translate that letter into English your translation might read a bit differently than it would if I translated it into English.

Types of Translations
In making your translation you would have to decide if you are going to translate every Spanish word into an equivalent English word. Or you might choose instead to translate the “idea” of the original, even if it was not a word-for-word equivalent.

The same happens in Bible translations: some are “formal equivalency” translations from Hebrew and Greek that are very accurate, but might be awkward or difficult to read. Others are more informal, “dynamic equivalency” translations that are easier to read, but not as “accurate.”

And some are looser “paraphrases” which make no attempt to translate the actual words but seek only to convey the thought in an easy-to-read style.

Here’s a look at the major translations and who reads them…

The “Authorized” or King James Version (KJV)
First published by order of King James of England in 1611 (the same era that William Shakespeare wrote), the KJV is still unmatched for its pure, poetic beauty. The King James is also the most familiarly “Biblical” to the ear: when Linus quotes the Christmas Story at the end of “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” he quotes the King James.
But the same archaic language of Shakespeare that lends the King James its beauty and authority can make it a difficult read. Yet the KJV is still the Bible of choice for many Christians today.

New King James Version (NKJV) Published in 1982, the NKJV retains much of the KJV’s beauty, while smoothing out some of its thornier diction.

The New International Version (NIV)¹
Popular with evangelicals, the NIV (1978) is the bestselling English “dynamic equivalent” translation of the Bible today. Like most Bibles it is available in many choices of study and devotional versions.

New Living Translation (NLT)1
A  very readable translation* available in multiple editions: study bibles, special editions or women, men, those in recovery, etc.
* My current favorite

New American Standard Bible (NASB)²
A  more “literal” but still readable translation, may be a better bet for evangelical Bible students looking for a study Bible. Academics like it too for its faithfulness to the original Hebrew and Greek texts. Released 1971.

The English Standard Version (ESV)²
Another update of the RSV, this “formal equivalency” translation was published in 2001 and is growing in popularity with evangelicals who want a version that is a more literal translation than the NIV, but easier to read than the NASB.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions….
1. What’s A Paraphrase?
The most reader-friendly versions of the Bible are generally the loosest translations: “The Living Bible,” now updated as “The New Living Translation,” is actually a paraphrase, seeking the contemporary meaning of each passage, not its literal translation. Christians of all stripes enjoy “The Message” by Eugene Peterson, a Bible-as-novel.

Did you know? Only 10 manuscripts remain of Julius Caesar’s “The Gallic Wars” with the earliest one dating to 1,000 years after the original autograph. But there are over 5,600 copies and fragments of the NT in Greek, the earliest existing fragment dating a remarkably short 40-60 years after authorship!

2. Which edition should I choose?
Each translation, of course, is only the starting point for Bible publishers. Lately they’ve made buying a Bible for someone else easier by producing gift Bibles, study Bibles, award Bibles and devotional Bibles for every group or occasion. And you can get Bible as books, on CDs or download an MP3 for your iPod! You can get inexpensive bibles to hand out at www.biblica.com.

Study Bibles come with complete study notes about the books of the Bible, explanation of difficult concepts, and commentary on individual verses. Most study Bibles include an extensive “cross reference” system to help you find related verses or ideas, and concordances to help you find things by word or topic. Many include color maps, time lines, dictionaries, articles and other helpful study tools.

Popular Study Bibles include…

• The NIV Study Bible
• The Ryrie Study Bible (NASB & NIV)
• The ESV Study Bible
• The NLT Study Bible*
• The NIV Archaeological Study Bible
• The Life Application Study Bible (NIV & NLT)
• The John MacAthur Study Bible (NKJV, NASB, Esp)
• The Inductive Study Bible (NASB – Kay Arthur)
• The Quest Study Bible (NIV)
• The Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible (KJV, NASB, NIV)
• * My current favorite

Devotional Bibles often include notes that address specific questions about Christian life. Some feature study guides for use in personal or group Bible studies.

“The Women’s Devotional Bible “(Zondervan) and “The Women of Color Study Bible” (Nia Publishing) both add reflections and annotations that highlight women’s issues, as “The Men’s Devotional Bible” does for men. You can get special editions for those in recovery, in the military, for firemen, students, singles, seniors…

For Latinas, Broadman & Holman offers a Quinceanera Bible. The MacArthur Study Bible (Thomas Nelson)is available in Spanish.

3. What about teens & children?
The youth market for Bibles has grown tremendously, especially since the shootings at Columbine. The Student Bible (NIV – Zondervan) includes helpful answers to questions frequently asked by students.

Most of the teen niche, like Zondervan’s “The Extreme Teen Bible” present the Bible by way of MTV, with commentary by teens on drugs and peer pressure, sexuality and sibling rivalry, all wrapped in contemporary cover designs. 

“The Picture Bible” (D C Cook) gives realistic, annotated illustrations that will capture a child’s imagination and help instill a love for reading the bible. For younger children, there is “The New Explorers Study Bible for Kids” (Thomas Nelson) and “The Beginners Bible” series from Word Publishing. 

Did you know?
There are translations of the bible, or portions of the bible, in more than 2,400 languages today!

4. Where do I buy a Bible?
Once you have determined which translation and edition are best for your needs you can shop online at christianbook.com or amazon.com for a wide selection of options (color, size, etc.) and low prices.

You can also do a “hands-on” review of a wide selection of Bible translations and study editions at almost any Christian bookstore. Secular booksellers such as Barnes & Noble, Borders and even WalMart also have pretty good Bible sections.

¹ Suggested for new Christians
² Recommended for serious students of the Bible