A. Scholars have described the Peshitta as one of the most valuable documents in ascertaining the original text of the Bible. Dr George Lamsa the pioneering scholar has pointed out in his “Holy Bible from ancient Eastern Manuscripts”, the church of the East regards the Peshitta as the oldest and most authoritative version of the Bible. The term Peshitta means straight, simple, sincere and true- that is the original. The name was given to the ancient and authoritative text to distinguish it from other Bible revisions and translations. It is the only authoritative text of the old and new testament of the Eastern Christians- called the Church of the East. This is also because the text was in use for 400 years before the Christian church was divided into several sects. The Church of the East holds that if the Peshitta does not contain the oldest version, it is still much closer to the thought forms of Jesus than any Greek version. George Lamsa points out there is much evidence supporting this view.

 

The Israelites never wrote their sacred literature in any language but Aramaic and Hebrew, which are sister languages. In the world religions we find the sacred teachings have been written down in the language of the founder. The language spoken by Jesus and his followers was Aramaic.

 

Scholars have pointed out that Jesus quotations from the Old Testament agree with the Peshitta text but do not agree with the Greek text. Jesus and his disciples not only could not converse in Greek and were unlikely to have heard it spoken. Although Greek was introduced into the Middle east after the conquest of Alexander the Great, it never became the language of the native people.

 

Further research in the Aramaic language can be obtained by reference to the work of Dr George Lamsa…

 

The Lords Prayer sung in Aramaic is very powerful because it is in the original language of Christ.

 

Author: Ron Ragel