Faith and Heritage

Faith and Heritage

Spring 2021

Aramaic speakers discuss the importance of using Scripture in their own languages.

Before Jesus ascended, He proclaimed to His disciples that by the power of the Holy Spirit, they would be His “witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). They were called to the ends of the earth but also to their own neighborhoods.

Aramaic was Jesus’ first language and the heart language of many Christians in the early Church. Over the centuries, descendants continued to use Aramaic. They preserved faith and heritage by speaking Aramaic even after Islam and Arabic became dominant in the region.

Aramaic Christians have suffered genocide and persecution over the last two millennia. They have been displaced over the globe. Aramaic community languages have evolved into unique vernaculars. Older versions of Scripture are no longer intelligible to modern speakers.

Nonetheless, they hold to their heritage. They are still hungry for God’s Word in their own language! With your support, five Aramaic language communities have received the New Testament in the past five years. Each has now initiated a translation of the Old Testament and projects to develop children’s Bibles.

Aramaic Christians have hope founded in Scripture. Put God’s Word in their hands. Give them hope! Visit lbt.org/aramaic.

Don’t miss the Essentially Translatable interview with Aramaic Bible Translation’s CEO Rob Hilbert.

Mekane Yesus Seminary construction continues!

Read Now

Join the Bible translation movement.

Read Now

New partnerships emerge in Asia.

Read Now

Discover how you can partner in prayer!

Read Now

Read more about the Bible translation story.

Go Now

If you would like to see Messenger as a printable PDF, click on this link to get the PDF: Messenger Spring 2021.

Dr. Mike Rodewald & Amy Gerdts, Editor(s)

Emily Wilson, Editorial Management

Caleb Rodewald, Layout & Design

Sarah Lyons, Layout Assistant

The Messenger is the official quarterly periodical of Lutheran Bible Translators,

205 S. Main St, Bldg 5, PO Box 789, Concordia MO 64020.

1-660-225-0810 | www.lbt.org | info@LBT.org

Standard A Non-Profit postage paid at Aurora, Illinois. Printed in the U.S.A. Comments and inquiries are invited. Correspondence may be directed to The Messenger Editor.

©2021 Lutheran Bible Translators, Inc. Permission is granted to excerpt from this publication. Please send a copy of use of material to the editor.

Executive Director: Dr. Mike Rodewald