The narrative of the New Testament traces Jesus’s story from his baptism by John in the Jordan River to his death, burial, and resurrection. This chronological bible reading plan covers all 27 books of the New Testament in chronological order, ending with the book of Revelation.
The New Testament is the second part of the Christian Bible, a collection of books that tell the story and teachings of Jesus. The New Testament was written in Greek and contains 27 books, which are grouped into four categories: Gospels, Acts, Epistles and Revelation.
The first four books are called the Gospels because they tell about Jesus’ life. They are Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The next five books are called Acts because they tell about what happened to Christians after Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead. Acts is also a history book that describes how Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire during the first century AD.
The last book in this category is Revelation which tells how Satan will be defeated by Jesus Christ at the end of time (you’ll learn more about this later). In addition to these 27 books there are also seven Old Testament books which were written before Jesus was born: Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy Joshua Judges Ruth 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah Esther.
27 Books of The New Testament in Chronological Order
Section 1: What are the 27 books of the New Testament?
The New Testament is composed of 27 books that are considered sacred and authoritative by Christians. These books were written in the 1st century A.D. and are an essential part of the Christian Bible. They provide teachings, historical accounts, and testimonies related to the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The 27 books of the New Testament are:
- Matthew: This book focuses on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and is often considered the first Gospel.
- Mark: The Gospel of Mark provides an account of the ministry and miracles of Jesus.
- Luke: Luke presents a detailed narrative of Jesus’ life, teachings, and the events leading up to his crucifixion.
- John: The Gospel of John offers a unique perspective on Jesus’ ministry, emphasizing his divinity.
- Acts: Acts is a historical account of the early Christian Church and the spread of the Gospel.
- Romans: This book contains Paul’s teachings on salvation, justification, and the righteousness of God.
- 1 Corinthians: Paul addresses various issues within the Corinthian church and provides practical teachings on Christian living.
- 2 Corinthians: This book follows up on the issues addressed in 1 Corinthians and offers further guidance and encouragement.
- Galatians: Galatians emphasizes salvation through faith alone and confronts false teachings.
- Ephesians: Ephesians explores the unity of believers in Christ and provides practical instructions for Christian living.
- Philippians: Paul expresses gratitude towards the Philippian church and encourages them to live joyfully and with unity.
- Colossians: Colossians emphasizes the supremacy of Christ and warns against false teachings.
- 1 Thessalonians: Paul writes to the Thessalonians to encourage them and address questions regarding the second coming of Christ.
- 2 Thessalonians: This book provides further clarification on the second coming of Christ and warns against idleness.
- 1 Timothy: Paul instructs Timothy on the qualifications of church leaders and provides advice on various church matters.
- 2 Timothy: Paul writes his final letter to Timothy, urging him to remain faithful and continue the work of the ministry.
- Titus: Titus focuses on the qualifications of church leaders and the importance of sound doctrine.
- Philemon: Philemon is a personal letter from Paul to a fellow Christian, urging him to accept and forgive Onesimus, a former slave.
- Hebrews: Hebrews presents Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and emphasizes the superiority of his sacrifice.
- James: James provides practical teachings on faith, trials, wisdom, and the importance of good deeds.
- 1 Peter: Peter addresses Christian suffering and encourages believers to stand firm in their faith.
- 2 Peter: This book emphasizes the importance of repentance and warns against false teachers.
- 1 John: John highlights the love of God and the importance of fellowship with him and fellow believers.
- 2 John: This short letter warns against deceivers and emphasizes the importance of abiding in the truth.
- 3 John: John commends Gaius for his hospitality and condemns Diotrephes for his pride and rejection of authority.
- Jude: Jude warns against false teachers and encourages believers to contend for the faith.
- Revelation: The book of Revelation contains prophetic visions and messages addressing the end times and the ultimate victory of Christ.
Section 2: How many books are in the Old and New Testament?
The Old and New Testaments together form the complete Christian Bible. The Old Testament consists of 39 books, while the New Testament consists of 27 books. In total, there are 66 books in the Bible, each serving a unique purpose and contributing to the overall narrative of God’s relationship with humanity.
Section 3: Who wrote the 27 books of the New Testament?
The 27 books of the New Testament were written by various authors, including apostles, disciples, and early Christian leaders who were inspired by the Holy Spirit. The authors of the New Testament books include:
- Matthew – Written by the Apostle Matthew, also known as Levi, who was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples.
- Mark – Although traditionally attributed to Mark, the authorship of this Gospel is widely believed to be associated with John Mark, a companion of the Apostle Peter.
- Luke – Written by Luke, a physician and companion of the Apostle Paul.
- John – Authored by the Apostle John, who was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples and an important figure in the early Christian Church.
- Acts – Also written by Luke as a continuation of his Gospel, providing a historical account of the early Christian Church.
- The letters of Paul (Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon) – Paul, formerly known as Saul, was a prominent early Christian leader and apostle to the Gentiles.
- Hebrews – Though the authorship of Hebrews is uncertain, some scholars attribute it to Paul, while others suggest it was written by another early Christian leader.
- James – Authored by James, who is believed to be the half-brother of Jesus and a leader within the early Jerusalem church.
- 1 Peter, 2 Peter - Written by the Apostle Peter, one of Jesus’ twelve disciples and an influential figure in the early Christian community.
- 1 John, 2 John, 3 John – These letters are traditionally attributed to the Apostle John, who also authored the Gospel of John.
- Jude – Attributed to Jude, the brother of James and possibly one of Jesus’ half-brothers.
- Revelation - Authored by the Apostle John, who was exiled on the island of Patmos when he received the visions contained in this book.
Each author brings their unique perspective, experiences, and encounters with Jesus, which contributes to the diversity and richness of the New Testament.
Summary of the 27 Books of the New Testament
The last 21 books are called Epistles because they are letters written by Paul or other early Christians to address specific issues in their lives or communities at large. Below are the summary of the 27 books of the new testament.
Gospel According to Matthew
Gospel According to Mark
Gospel According to Luke
Gospel According to John
Acts of the Apostles
Letter of Paul to the Romans
Letters of Paul to the Corinthians
I Corinthians
II Corinthians
Letter of Paul to the Galatians
Letter of Paul to the Ephesians
Letter of Paul to the Philippians
Letter of Paul to the Colossians
Letters of Paul to the Thessalonians
I Thessalonians
II Thessalonians
Letters of Paul to Timothy
I Timothy
II Timothy
Letter of Paul to Titus
Letter of Paul to Philemon
Letter to the Hebrews
Letter of James
Letters of Peter
I Peter
II Peter
Letters of John
I John
II John
III John
Letter of Jude
Revelation to John
How Many Books in the New Testament of Bible
The New Testament’s books may be shorter than most Old Testament books, but it can be hard to dive right into them. Fortunately, you don’t have to jump in without knowing what the books are about.
The Bible is composed of 66 books in all. Of those books, the New Testament has twenty-seven:
- The conception, birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus are chronicled in the Four Gospels. These are credited to John, Mark, Luke, and Matthew.
- Luke wrote the Book of Acts, which is a continuation of his Gospel.
- The apostle Paul sent thirteen letters, known as the Epistles, to different recipients.
- John, Peter, James, and Jude are the four writers of the General Epistles, which are addressed to other Christians.
- An unidentified author wrote the Book of Hebrews, addressing Jewish Christians and dispelling myths about Jesus.
- John is credited with writing the Book of Revelation, which is made up of letters to seven churches and future events prophesies.
What Are the Books of the New Testament in Order?
Here is a list that offers a snapshot of all 27 New Testament books of the Bible. I hope you see Jesus Christ is at the center of each book. And, I hope you grow in worship of our Lord and Savior.
HOW DID THE 27 BOOKS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT COME TO BE RECOGNIZED AS DIVINELY INSPIRED SCRIPTURE?
As far as we know, it began in the year 367 A.D., when Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria, Egypt, sent out an Easter letter to the churches in Egypt.
In this epistle, he detailed the 27 books that made up what we know as the New Testament as the only holy books recognized as part of a New Testament canon.
This is the first formal recognition of these specific 27 books as the divinely inspired New Testament Scripture.
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts of the Apostles
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
27 books of the new testament in chronological order
The New Testament contains 27 books that are divided into five categories: Revelation, Acts, Paul’s letters, general letters, and the gospels. There are eight general letters, one book of Revelation, nine letters from Paul to churches, four letters to individuals, and four gospels.
Matthew
The book of Matthew, the first of the New Testament gospels, was written by an author who identified himself as Matthew (1:1; see also 10:3). The name Matthew means “gift of Yahweh.” He was one of Jesus’ disciples, a tax collector from Capernaum (9:9; 10:2-4).
Matthew is the first and longest book in the New Testament. It has 28 chapters. The entire book can be outlined around five main sections containing seven discourses, or sermons, delivered by Jesus.
Mark
The Gospel of Mark is the second book in the New Testament, the first being Matthew and the third Luke. It’s been estimated that it was written between AD 50-70, possibly as early as AD 45. This makes it a strong candidate for being the earliest canonical gospel, since it was likely written before Matthew and Luke (both of which quote from Mark).
It’s believed to be based off of Peter’s preaching about Jesus’ ministry. The book has a very distinct style: its author intended for it to be read out loud, and so it’s written in a way that builds excitement and suspense. Some have said that reading Mark out loud is like listening to a news reporter describing an event live on TV; he cuts back and forth from one happening to another rapidly so as not to waste any time or lose the reader’s interest. Because this method doesn’t give us time to stop and hear every detail, some scholars believe there were parts of Peter’s sermons that were intentionally left out by John Mark when writing his gospel.
Luke
Luke is the third Gospel of the New Testament. It tells the story of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Luke was written by a physician and traveling companion of Paul’s named Luke, who was also an early convert to Christianity.
The Gospel according to Luke provides us with many details about Jesus’ birth, his teachings and his crucifixion. In addition to this, we get a detailed account about his life on earth for the 33 years before he began preaching publicly in Galilee. The book ends with an account of Jesus’ resurrection from death and his ascension into Heaven 40 days after it happened.
The Gospel teaches us how to be humble and selfless like Christ was in His earthly ministry. It also teaches us that God will judge all people based on their deeds while they are alive; whether they were good or evil
John
John was one of Jesus’ most devoted followers, and his account of the life of Jesus is unique.
John is the fourth book in the New Testament. It was written by John, one of Jesus’ closest friends who was an eyewitness to Jesus’ ministry, along with Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Together these four books are called “the gospels.” John wrote five books in total that were included in the Bible: John (the gospel), 1 John, 2 John, 3 John and Revelation.
Acts of the Apostles
The first two verses of Acts are the only verses in the New Testament that mention Theophilus. God means “God” and philus means “lover,” so Theophilus may be a name or title for someone who loved God. It is not clear whether he was a real person or symbolic of anyone who loves God. Many scholars believe Luke was written to explain why Christianity flourished to the Roman government.
The book of Acts presents a history of the church from Jesus’ ascension to Paul’s arrival in Rome as a prisoner. Much of the book focuses on Peter, Stephen, Philip, and Paul as they share the gospel with different people groups in Jerusalem and beyond.
Romans
Paul’s deeply developed theology appears in this letter to the Romans. He is concerned with the nature of sin and righteousness, what it means that Christ died for our sins and how we can be saved. Paul sees both faith and the law as being crucial parts of God’s plan: he writes sharply against those who follow a “lawless” Christianity, but also those who would add works to their faith as part of salvation, such as circumcision. His letter to the Romans was written several years after his conversion and prior to his imprisonment in Rome; it is considered by many scholars to be one of his most important writings, with centuries of Christian thinkers returning again and again to its themes.
1 Corinthians
Paul wrote First Corinthians because of the many problems in the church. He had previously written to this church, but that letter has been lost. First Corinthians is written to a group of believers who were experiencing division, immorality and idolatry. Paul spends a great deal of time addressing each of these issues, giving them instruction and encouragement not to fall into these sins.
2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians is the eighth book of the New Testament, written by Paul to the church of Corinth. In this letter, Paul defends his apostleship and encourages the Corinthians in their faith during a time of persecution. Themes include:
- the nature of Paul’s apostleship
- the role of suffering in the life of a Christian
- the resurrection of the dead
Galatians
The Book of Galatians was written by Paul, one of the most important and influential people in the history of Christianity. It was written about 49 CE (Common Era) to the churches of Galatia who had been recently converted to Christianity. The book was a response to problems that had developed in those communities around issues regarding whether Christ-following gentiles needed to alter their lifestyles and adopt Jewish customs. Paul’s passionate response to this issue has influenced Christianity ever since its writing.
Paul believed that all believers were already children of God, and therefore did not need to comply with Jewish ceremonial laws and practices. The gentile believers were being pressured by a group called the “judaizers” into adopting these customs in order to achieve salvation or favor with God. In his letter, Paul made it clear that his gospel represented the teachings of Jesus and was consistent with Judaism, but he also insisted that Christianity should be open even for those who rejected some traditional religious practices.
Ephesians
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Philippians
Paul likely wrote this letter from a prison, or at least during a time of great hardship. He says he has learned to be content in every situation and writes to the church in Philippi (a city in northern Greece) to encourage them to live faithfully and with joy in spite of their circumstances. Paul encourages the Philippians to “have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had” (Philippians 2:5). He shares his personal testimony as an example of how God can use anyone who is willing to follow him.
Paul’s letters often contain themes of perseverance and joy, because Christians should not lose these even amid trials and suffering. His message is one of finding contentment through godly living, rather than seeking fulfillment through material success or comfort. He bases this message on his own experiences as a missionary, saying that all he has endured while preaching the gospel—both good things and bad—has been worth it because he knows God will give him eternal reward for his faithfulness
Colossians
Like the book of Ephesians from which it is derived, Colossians addresses a church that, while small and obscure, has been infiltrated by false teachers. In his letter to the church in Colossae, Paul encourages the believers to hold fast to their faith in Christ and avoid being led astray by these false teachings. He emphasizes Jesus’ supremacy over all other influences and authorities, both human and spiritual.
1 Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians is the first of the two letters to the Thessalonians. This letter was written to a church that Paul founded in 51 CE during his second missionary journey. It is accepted as one of the earliest Christian documents and preserved for us by Paul (who wrote it), Timothy, Silas, and others who were with him at this time.
The letter clearly reflects how the local congregation had been adversely affected by persecution from outsiders and from internal factions; this was a common experience among all early Christians who practiced their faith in cities where there were pagan temples.
2 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians, according to the apostle Paul, was written to correct the false teachings of some at Thessalonica who claimed that the day of the Lord had already come. Through this epistle, Paul emphasizes that Christ will return for believers only after a great apostasy and the revelation of an antichrist.
The book of 2 Thessalonians is unique in that it was written in response to a letter by Paul to his churches in Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians). It suggests that there were problems with overzealous converts in the church and warns against inaccurate information regarding Christ’s second coming. One such example is found in 2:1–3: “Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word.”
Paul’s purpose for writing this letter is clear from verse 2:13–14: “God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in truth. To this he called you through our gospel…” Paul also writes about eschatological matters (events surrounding future prophecy) as well as giving instructions concerning prayers (3:1–5), idleness (3:6–15), disorderly behavior (4:11–12), and work habits (4:11).
1 Timothy
This letter by Paul to Timothy was written around 60-65 AD. It is a letter of advice from Paul to his disciple, Timothy. He is his most trusted associate in Ephesus. Paul recommends that he present himself as an example of good works and offer instructions on the role of women in the church.
He recounts his travels across Asia Minor and discusses the purpose of scripture in 1 Timothy 3:16-17. “All Scripture is God-breathed,” it says, “and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy
Paul’s second letter to Timothy, written in Macedonia. Written during Paul’s second imprisonment in Rome. The letters opens with a reminder to Timothy of his spiritual heritage: “you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” Paul urges Timothy to be strong in the face of persecution. Paul is suffering from a painful ailment and expecting his imminent death. He tells Timothy that he is being left alone at Ephesus and warns him that false teachers will arise, teaching things they ought not to teach for shameful gain; as a result some will depart from the faith and follow these deceivers. Paul urges Timothy, who is loyal to the church at Ephesus, not to allow anyone else into it until they first clear it with him; he adds that part of this process will involve asking about their beliefs regarding the resurrection from the dead.
Titus (The Pastoral Letters)
Titus is a letter written by Paul to Titus, who he declares as his “own son after the common faith.” The greeting also mentions that Titus was with Paul during the writing of this letter.
This short letter has some key points that are important for us today:
- We should live our lives in a manner worthy of those who have called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light.
- There are many godly things we can do to live our lives in a way that honors God.
These are the 27 books of the New Testament. They are commonly referred to as epistles.
It is important to note that the New Testament is one of two sections that make up the Bible, the other being the Old Testament. The Bible is a collection of 66 books written by 40 different authors over a span of 1,500 years. The New Testament consists of 27 books and was written between AD 45-65.
Let’s take a look at these 27 books in chronological order.
how many books in the old and new testament
What Are the 46 Books of the Old Testament in Order?
The Hebrew Scriptures
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalms
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon (or Song of Songs)
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
What Are The 27 Books of New Testament?
The Gospels
The story of Jesus is told in the Gospels. The gospel is the wonderful news that God has exalted Jesus to the position of King and Savior and is repairing everything through him, which is why the word gospel means “good news.”
Within the New Testament, there are four Gospels. The term “synoptic” gospels, which refers to seeing the same thing, is occasionally used to refer to the first three because of their striking similarities.
For a Jewish audience, Matthew narrates the tale of Jesus, demonstrating how he fulfills all of the Jewish people’s desires and hopes by serving as the climax of the Old Testament. Matthew offers a great deal of Old Testament passages that Jesus fulfills because of this. Because Jesus is the one whose teaching has authority and should influence our lives, Matthew also depicts Jesus as a teacher and provides five substantial teaching segments from him.
“The story of the Old Testament culminates in Jesus.”
According to early church history, Mark writes his Gospel for the Romans, but it is actually the apostle Peter’s autobiography. The emphasis of Mark’s Gospel is on portraying Jesus as “the son of God” (1:1–8:30) who gives his life for others (8:31–16:8). Mark places more emphasis on what Jesus did than what he said. It is our duty as disciples to walk in Jesus’ footsteps (Mark 8:34ff).
Luke writes to the Gentiles (non-Jews) to share the good news of Jesus while traveling with the apostle Paul. His singular focus is on how everyone, even the poor and disenfranchised, can be saved by hearing the good news about Jesus. For this reason, only Luke contains well-known parables like the prodigal son and the good Samaritan.
John’s Gospel is the final one. John was an eyewitness to the events he documents and one of the 12 apostles, much as Matthew. Many allusions to life may be found throughout John’s book, as his aim is to demonstrate to us (John 20:30–31) that Jesus is the giver of actual, authentic life. The book’s first half revolves around seven “signs,” or miracles that reveal Jesus’ identity. Everything in the second part builds to the eighth sign, the death and resurrection of Jesus, and the start of the new creation.
Acts The second book of Luke, Acts chronicles the first thirty years of church history. It begins on the Day of Pentecost in Jerusalem, seven weeks after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, and describes how the church expanded over the Roman Empire. Acts 1:8’s geographic division of the book into Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and the ends of the earth is mostly followed. Chapters 1 through 12 of the first part center on Peter, Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria. Chapters 13–28 of the second part center on Paul and the ends of the earth.
Letters: Apostles and early church leaders wrote letters to congregations and individuals after the book of Acts. The letters are divided into three categories: general letters, letters from Paul to people, and letters to churches. The letters are sorted by size, from largest to smallest.
Paul’s Epistles to the Churches
Around the year 58 AD, Romans speaks to a number of house churches in Rome. To unite the church around the salvation found in Christ, Paul provides a detailed explanation of the gospel. The basic thesis of Romans, a book full of complex theology about sin, forgiveness, and new life, is that God’s righteousness—that is, his saving justice—is found only in Christ, not in the Old Testament Law or anyplace else!
Around the year 55 AD, 1 Corinthians was addressed to the church in Corinth. Paul addresses issues with the church, such as immorality, division, and litigation, in chapters 1-6. Paul responds to inquiries from the church on marriage, meat offered to idols, spiritual gifts, and the resurrection in chapters 7–16 of their epistle.
About eight months after the events of 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians was addressed to Corinth. Paul composed this letter in the most autobiographical way. Paul affirms the “weak” character of his ministry while praising them for their repentance toward him. One of the main ideas of the gospel is that power is perfected in weakness and that everything is turned upside down.
“Weakness perfects power and the path to elevation is a descent.”
The book of Galatians was written to a congregation of churches in the modern-day Turkish area of Galatia. Paul maintains that anybody can be redeemed and a member of God’s people without having to convert to Judaism or observe the Old Testament Law. You can find salvation in Christ, and you can follow him by the Spirit and join him by faith.
While Paul was being held captive in Rome in AD 61, Ephesians was written to Ephesus and most likely the churches in the surrounding cities. Two sections make up Ephesians. A beautiful picture of all the benefits found in Christ and what it means to be God’s people is painted in Chapters 1-3. We are urged to live in accordance with who we are in Christ in Chapters 4-6.
About 62 AD, the book of Philippians was written to Philippi. Paul is in Rome under arrest. He had been in Philippi for a long time, and now they were sending him money to aid with his treatment while he was detained. Paul writes to express his gratitude and to provide them advice on how to live a gospel-centered life, putting the gospel first!
“To live for what’s best for the gospel—to live from a gospel-centered perspective!”
Ephesians and Colossians were probably addressed to Colossae in AD 61. Paul is in Rome under arrest. The Colossians have been duped by some false doctrine that seems to mix Jesus with Jewish concepts. Paul exhorts them to place all of their trust in Jesus since he is the fullness of God and contains all the riches of knowledge and understanding.
Written to the church in Thessalonica in AD 51, 1-2 Thessalonians is conceivably the oldest of Paul’s letters. Written shortly after Paul had founded the church in the town and was driven away, they were written fairly near to one another. He grounds them in some fundamental Christian doctrine regarding chastity in marriage, a strong work ethic, abstaining from exploitation of the kind, and the second coming.
Paul’s Correspondence with Species
Paul wrote the book of 1 Timothy to Timothy, a longtime colleague in the ministry, most likely in AD 64. Paul most certainly got out of the prison he was in at the close of Acts and went back to work for God. In 1 Timothy 3, Paul gives Timothy instructions on how to lead the church in Ephesus, including a discussion of elders.
Similarly, 2 Timothy is addressed to Timothy in AD 66–67, at the conclusion of Paul’s life. Paul is back in prison, and things don’t seem good. Paul gives Timothy advice on ministry once more, but this time it’s personalized for Timothy. Timothy must pay close attention to his example and lessons, maintain his resolve, develop moral virtue, and get others ready for service.
“Stay firm, develop moral virtue, and get others ready for ministry.”
Paul’s ministry colleague Titus (written in AD 66) was another. He is engaged in ministry with the island of Crete’s churches. The setting is challenging, and the churches are not very well-established. Paul gives him instructions on how to elect leaders and instruct the church in pursuing righteousness as a community.
Along with Ephesians and Colossians, Philemon was a prosperous Christian landowner in Colossae who wrote his letters around AD 61. Onesimus, one of Philemon’s slaves, escaped and came across Paul in Rome. Onesimus heard the message from Paul and converted to Christianity. Onesimus did the right thing by going back to Philemon, despite the fact that it was dangerous given the regulations of the time. Paul sends this letter to plead Onesimus’s cause; he even implies that it would be beneficial for Philemon to have Onesimus return to Paul’s service.
Hebrew letters in general. The author of Hebrews is unknown, however it was most likely written in Israel (others believe Italy) around the years AD 66–67 for a group of Jewish Christians. Because of all the connections to Jewish customs, it can be difficult to read this letter. However, that is the crux of the problem. The receivers are thinking about going back to the rites and worship of the temple, and Hebrews says that Jesus is the end of the entire system. He saw it through to the very finish, and to turn back would be to give up on Jesus!
James, the brother of Jesus, wrote the book of James for Jewish Christians who were dispersed around the world, most likely in the cities along the Mediterranean’s eastern coast. James emphasizes on leading a Christian life, which includes overcoming hardships and temptations, paying attention to what God has to say, abstaining from bias and partiality, etc. His goal is to see us grow in Christ.
- Peter is the son of Peter, who introduced Christianity to Christians in what is now northern Turkey in AD 65. Because of their trust in Jesus, Christians face varying degrees of enmity and social pressure. Peter gives them advice on how to deal with these challenges and establish their positive reputation.
“Because of their faith in Jesus, Christians are facing varying degrees of hostility and social pressure.”
- Since he claims that this is his second letter to them, Peter is from Peter once more, most likely to the same group as in his first letter (3:1). Even in the face of false instructors who distort the truth of Christ, Peter exhorts people to hold fast to Jesus and keep developing their Christian character while anticipating the new earth and skies.
1-3 John is from John to Christians who were residing in Ephesus, most likely in the years AD 85–90. 1. John challenges a false doctrine that the church was being taught, according to which God could never take on human form since it is immoral. John aims to prove the veracity of Jesus, inspire love among Christians, and reassure people that having Him means having eternal life. The brief letters from John 2-3 speak to particular persons and topics that John was aware of.
Jesus’ brother Jude wrote to refute heresy and inspire Christians to stand up for their religion.
Revelation
The book of Revelation is a letter that the apostle John wrote to the seven churches in Asia (present-day Turkey). Additionally, it is a work of “apocalyptic literature,” or “apocalypse literature,” which was popular among the Jews of that era. It makes extensive use of symbols and imagery to convey the idea that Satan, God’s archenemy, is behind both the violent persecution and cultural seduction of God’s people. It gives us comfort in knowing that Jesus and God are in control and that those who triumph will be rewarded.