The Ultimate Text Message - 
The Bible becomes available on mobile phones

April 2007

The Bible Society in Northern Ireland is participating in a new venture to make the Bible available to mobile phone users.  The concept has been developed by a South African company, Christian Mobile, in partnership with a number of Bible Societies.

Why provide the Bible on cell phones?

BSNI has taken an interest in this development as it complements here at home our desire to see the Bible made accessible in the heart language of people throughout the world. This is already being done through:

  • The funding of Bible translation projects over the period of years necessary to complete each Bible or Testament.

  • The subsidy of Scripture distribution so that each edition is affordable for people who live in poverty.
  • The provision of the Bible in alternative audio and visual media so that everyone, irrespective of literacy levels, can experience the Good News.

In Northern Ireland the Bible is often perceived as a dusty book that has little to say to this generation. The task is therefore to demonstrate the Bible's relevance, partly through presenting it in formats and styles that are modern to the eye. Mobile phones have quickly become an essential communication tool, especially for the young and for those who are constantly on the move. Making the Bible available as a download is a natural development.

HOW TO DOWNLOAD THE TEXT

Initially the English Bible text is being made in a choice of downloads:

Traditional:

(1) The Authorised Bible - Old or New Testament.
 

Modern:

A further two translations are available:

(2) The Good News Bible - Old or New Testament.
(3) The Contemporary English Version - Old or New Testament.

Each comes with a Search engine enabling the user to find key words or favourite passages in the Bible text.

Downloading the selected product is achieved through either:

Entering http://wapbibles.com into your phone browser,
OR 
Sending the text message Go Wapbibles2 to 85080.

Payment of £5.99 for each Testament is made using 'browse and buy' technology. The charge covers both the cost of the Mobile phone operating company and any copyright for the chosen text. Once downloaded, the user has access to the text during the life of the phone. If the phone is replaced, a further download will be made available at no cost.

WHO IS THIS FOR?

Anyone who uses a cell phone. This new medium means that the Bible can now be carried and accessed anywhere. While it is thought that this opportunity will be of most interest to the younger generation, it offers opportunities to anyone who spends a lot of time traveling, those who like to snatch a few quiet minutes in the middle of a busy day or while on holiday, or in those situations where access to the Bible text would be helpful but a printed Bible is not to hand.

Suitability - Phone users should check that their mobile has at least the 0.5MB capacity necessary to download a Testament with its Search engine. 2.5G or 3G phones that are more than 2 years old are unlikely to have this capacity.

While this new service is already available in South Africa and the United States, it is now being rolled out across the UK, Russia, Australia/New Zealand and the rest of the world. It is hoped that people in Northern Ireland will be part of this new application of technology and will encourage others to use this as their Ultimate Text.

VirtualBible™ is being launched as we approach Easter. It is the hope of our Bible Society that it may be the means by which people come to an understanding of the momentous events that took place in Jerusalem so many years ago.

 

- for more detailed information on this facility please click here -