Prior to Jesus Christ (1) showing up in a big way on the banks of the Jordan River two thousand years ago, His people (2) were in and out of exile (3) and captivity, ebbing and flowing to and from the graces of God (4). The peaks and valleys, many self-induced, of the Israelites are recorded throughout the books of the Old Testament (5), which also foretell the arrival of the Messiah (6).
 
The New Testament (7) begins as an itinerant preacher, John the Baptist (8), emerges in the wilderness to exhort a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness (9) of sins. A cousin of Jesus, John was a fiery man called to prepare the way (Mark 1:1-8) for the Lord. Jesus soon arrives on the scene and, for about 3 years, preaches a message never before heard and teaches in a manner never before seen, changing the landscape of humanity. This challenges the religious leaders (10) of the day and threatens their strongholds over the people. To remedy their dilemma and to shore up their power base, they have Jesus falsely arrested and crucified (11), a Roman manner of humiliating public execution which maximized pain and suffering.
 
Here's the best news ever . . . Jesus rises from the dead (12), defeating sin and death for all mankind. This restores our relationship with God (1 Corinthians 15) and opens the gates of Heaven. Without Christ's Resurrection, this Good News would not exist . . .
 
In Christianity, the word "Gospel" translates as Good News and announces the coming of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:14-15). There are 66 Books in the Protestant Bible and 73 in the Catholic Bible. Printer friendly charts listing the Books of the Bible are available in the lower sidebar.
 
Offered below are links to the top selling (by volume) and other Bible translations:
 

• English Standard Version (ESV) (13)
• King James Version (KJV) (14)
• New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE) (15)
• New American Standard Bible (NASB) (16)
• New International Version (NIV) (17)
• New King James Version (NKJV) (18)
• New Living Translation (NLT) (19)

 
 
A boatload of spiritual treasure lies within the sidebar links and throughout this website. Please freely share them with others. To explore what the Bible says about itself, please explore THIS (20) link.
 
Please explore the topic Footnotes, which appear below. Modifications to this page are welcome at [email protected].