“Lesson One – Overview of the Bible – Old Testament” showed the outline of the 39 books of the Old Testament. The word “testament” also means “Covenant”, so we have the Old Covenant and the New Covenant in the Bible. The Old Covenant was under the Law and with Israel and her Patriarchs. The New Covenant is with Christ’s Church.
The New Testament has 27 books in all. We will examine how each of the 27 books of the New Testament are arranged and categorized within the Bible.
There are four writers of four accounts of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. The word “Gospel” in Greek is “evangelion”, meaning “good news”.
These books are historical, and are biographies of Christ and His teachings. The Gospels are not arranged in chronological order as modern biographies are. Each Gospel gives a different aspect of Jesus and different theological emphasis. The events are not necessarily structured in linear fashion, but around a theme the writer is conveying.
The Synoptic Gospels:
The first three Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) are called the “synoptic” Gospels (literally meaning “seeing together”) because of their shared material and general similarity. The Gospel of John leaves out some of the material discussed in the Synoptics and gives details not provided in the first three Gospels.
Below are listed the four Gospels and possible dates of writing:
Matthew: 65-70 A.D.
Mark: 48-55 A.D.
Luke: 57-62 A.D.
John: 90’s A.D.
The Historical Book of the New Testament:
Acts: 62-63 A.D.
The only book of history in the New Testament is the book of Acts. It is the second book written by Luke, as Luke also authored the Gospel of Luke.
The focus of Acts begins on the ministry of the Holy Spirit, through the Apostle Peter, to the Jews, and then changes focus to the ministry of the Apostle Paul to the Gentiles. It is a narrative of the spread and growth of the Christian Church through the Gospel and the Holy Spirit in the ancient world.
The Pauline Epistles:
Paul wrote 13 “Epistles”, or letters, that are contained in New Testament Scripture. In his epistles, Paul expounds the Old Testament Scripture and explains the meaning of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the Church, and how Christ fulfilled Old Testament Prophecies.
Many of Paul’s epistles were meant to be read aloud to the congregations they were addressed to, and in some cases, exchanged with other Christian congregations to be read (I Thess.5:27; Col.4:26).
A further sub-division of Paul’s epistles can be made into the Pastoral Epistles.
The Pastoral Epistles include: 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus.
Here is the list of Paul’s 13 Epistles:
Romans: 57 A.D.
1 Corinthians: 55 A.D.
2 Corinthians: 56 A.D.
Galatians: 48 A.D.
Ephesians: 60-62 A.D.
Philippians: 60-62 A.D.
Colossians: 60-62 A.D.
1 Thessalonians: 51 A.D.
2 Thessalonians: 51 A.D.
1 Timothy: 63 A.D. (Pastoral Epistle)
2 Timothy: 64 A.D. (Pastoral Epistle)
Titus: 63 A.D. (Pastoral Epistle)
Philemon: 60-62 A.D.
The General Epistles
While the Pauline Epistles are addressed to specific congregations or persons, the General Epistles are addressed to the “general” Christian Church. Therefore, these seven letters are titled according to the author’s name. Since the time of Eusebius (c. 265 – 340 A.D.), these letters have been classified as the General Epistles.
Hebrews and the seven General Epistles are listed below:
Hebrews:50-68 A.D. (historically grouped with the Pauline Epistles)
James:50-60 A.D.
1 Peter: 64-67 A.D.
2 Peter: 65-68 A.D.
1 John: 90’s A.D.
2 John: 90’s A.D.
3 John: 90’s A.D.
Jude: 65-80 A.D.
The Apocalypse:
The Book of Revelation: 95-97 A.D.
The title “Revelation” means “an unveiling” or “revealing”. It is a book of prophecy. Revelation focuses on the “revelation” of Jesus Christ’s triumph, the end of the world, and the New Heavens and the New Earth.
Like the New Testament book of Acts, the book of Revelation is in a category by itself. The book of Revelation is the only book in the New testament that is apocalyptic (similar to Daniel being the only apocalyptic book in the Old Testament).
The book of Revelation has been historically attributed to St. John the Apostle and contains his visions of the future of the world; and its final end and re-creation at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
Summary of The Major New Testament Divisions:
Gospels:
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
History:
Acts of the Apostles
Pauline Epistles:
Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, [Hebrews].
General Epistles:
[Hebrews], James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1-3 John, Jude.
Revelation or Prophecy:
Revelation.
Having a basic understanding of the major divisions of New Testament Scripture will help guide your Bible reading and give you further insight into the books of the Bible you are studying.
Click here to go to Lesson Three – Overview of the Old Testament – Major Events-Before the Flood