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Our new Bible Experience
exhibition in Jerusalem. was officially opened in March
2000. It is an exhibit that telling the fascinating story
of how the Bible came to us. The exhibit walks visitors
(pilgrims and locals) through three particular areas of
the development of the Bible: 1) the development of Biblical
languages - Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek; 2) a display of
materials used in recording the Word of God from generation
to generation from early times when stone, ceramic, papyrus,
and skin scroll manuscripts were used and 3) the time
of the industrialization of printing when the Gutenberg
press was used to print the first Luther Bible up to the
new technology of today.
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An integral part of
the exhibit is a selection of the first Bible or facsimile
of a Bible published in a language. They are displayed
so that pilgrims and locals visiting the Holy Land will
be able to see the first Bible published by their local
Bible Society.
Eventually, we hope to include a Biblical resource
multi-media program that will provide the visitor with
an opportunity to look at selections from the Bible
in 2,200 languages when the funds are available. |
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beautiful stone walls and an ancient floor were uncovered
and the exhibition contains historical Biblical material
written on stone, ceramic, papyrus, and leather, including
the earliest text from the New Testament on papyrus and
the oldest known Book of Esther on papyrus in Greek. A
full-size replica of the first Gutenberg printing press
is on display, along with Bibles printed on that press.
A collection of first edition Bibles printed in over 50
languages helps tell the story of the Bible and the history
of the development of Biblical languages. |
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A unique feature of the
exhibit is the floor to ceiling glass "tubes" that encase
some of the displays. The idea for this came from a vision
symbolizing how the message of salvation found in the God's
Word can take us from the earth to heaven.
Many visitors have expressed how they appreciate the exhibit
not only from the esthetic point of view but also from an
educational point of view.
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