Summary Of The Books Of:
The New Testament

1960's King James Version
Virtus E. Gideon

Pray for God’s Wisdom and Understanding,
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

The New Testament has, 27 books, 260 Chapters, 7,959 Verses,
generally separated into 5 sections:

1. The Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
2. History, The Book of Acts.
3. Epistles, Romans, 1st, 2nd Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians,
   1st, 2nd Thessalonians, 1st, 2nd Timothy, Titus, Philemon, and Hebrews.
4. General Epistles, James, 1st, 2nd Peter, 1st, 2nd, 3rd John, and Jude.
5. Prophetical Book, Last Book of the Bible: Revelation.
6. New Testament Timeline (biblehub.com)

1. THE GOSPELS

1. The Gospel of Matthew 1-28.
From at least the 2nd century A.D., the Gospel of Matthew has been ascribed to Matthew the publican, tax collector, and disiciple, It is the most most complete account of Jesus teachings and was written to convince the writer's Jewish audience that Jesus was the Messiah dsecended from David, the one promised by the Old Testament Prophets. It is peculiarly the Gospel for Israel. The most significant teachings passages are the Sermon on the Mount (5-7) and the parable sections (especially Chap. 13).

2. The Gospel of Mark 1-16.
The shortest, is also held by most to be the first of the Gospels to be written. A tradition dating from the 2nd century ascribes this book to John Mark, a companion of Peter and also of Paul and Barnabas in their missionary endeavors. The preaching of Peter may well have been the source of most of Mark's material. Mark accounts for the ministry of Jesus from His Baptism to His Ascension. Most commentaries agree that Mark's purpose was neither biographical nor historical, but theological: to present Jesus as the Christ, the mighty worker rather than great teacher. Hence, Mark makes fewer references to the Parables and discourses, but meticulously records each of Jesus's "mighty works" as evidence of His Divine Power. Mark contains 20 specific miracles and alludes to others. Bible scholars quite generally agree that Mark wrote his Gospel in Rome for the gentiles.

3. The Gospel of Luke 1-24.
There is almost universal agreement that Luke, the"beloved physician" (Col. 4:14) who accompanied Paul on his missionary travels, was the author of the third Gospel. Luke wrote to present Jesus as the Universal Savior, the compassionate healer and teacher. His careful historical approach is revealed in the preface, which states that the author has traced "all things from the very first." Unlike Mark, this author includes an account of the Virgin Birth, and unlike Matthew he extensively describes the Perean Ministry (Chaps. 9-18).

4. The Gospel of John 1-21.
The Gospel of John endeavors to explain the mystery of the Person of Christ by the use of the term "logos"(word) and was written to confirm Christians in the belief that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God. Its purpose is evangelical and is so stated in 20:31. John not only records events as do the other Gospels but also uniquely interprets the events by giving them spiritual meaning. The author makes significant use of such words as light, water, life, love, and bread.Traditionally the author of this Gospel is considered to have been John, the Beloved Disciple.

2. HISTORY

5. The Book of Acts 1-28. The Acts of the Apostles,
Addressed to a certain Theophilus, about whom nothing is known (1:1), the Book of Acts records the early history of the Apostolic Church. Beginning with the Ascension of Jesus to heaven, it traces the growth of Christianity in Palestine and its spread to Syria, Asia Minor, Greece, and eventually to Rome. The leading figure in the first chapters is Peter, who delivered the stirring sermon on the day of Pentecost (2). The greater part of the book, however, is devoted to the experiences of Paul and his companions during their missionary endeavors. THe Book of Acts provides a useful background for study of the Pauline Epistles. The introduction (1:1) attests to a Lukan authorship.

3. EPISTLES

6. The Book of Romans 1-16.
This letter, the first in canonical order, but not the first of Paul's Epistles, is the longest and the most influential of all the Apostles writings. Writing to Christians at Rome whom he hoped soon to visit, Paul presents to them his mature convictions concerning the Christian faith: the universality of sin; the impotence of the law as a means of salvation; the nature of God's saving act in Christ, and its appropriation by faith. The letter closes with spiritual advice and some personal remarks.

7. The Book of 1 Corinthians 1-16.
This letter discusses doctrinal and ethical problems that were disturbing the Corinthian church, and presents a picture of the life of a particular local congregation in the New Testament times.Writing from Ephesus, where he spent least 3 years, Paul addresses the Corinthian church concerning the significance of the new life in Christ, which should be demonstrated in the fellowship within the Church. He advises them regarding spiritual gifts (12), Christian Love (13), and the meaning of the Resurrection (15).

8. The Book of 2 Corinthians 1-13.
Often called "the hard letter," this is an intensely personal letter. It recounts the difficulties and hardships Paul has endured in the service of Christ (10-13). The Apostle regards the Corinthians as his children in Christ.

9. The Book of Galatians 1-6.
Paul's letter addressed to the churches in Galatia is the great letter on Christian freedom; in it Paul attacks the Christians who wished to exalt the law. Galatians emphasis is similar to the theme of Paul's letter to the Romans. The doctrinal section, as is typical of the Pauline format, is followed by an intensely practical section in Chapters five and six.

10. The Book of Ephesians 1-6.
The Ephesian letter is one of Paul's four "Imprisonment Letters"---Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon being the others. Although addressed to the church in Ephesus, this letter is generally believed to have been a circular discussing the believers' exalted position though Christ, the Church as the body of Christ, her relationship to God, and practical implications of the Gospel.

11. The Book of Philippians 1-4.
In this letter, which is a message of joy, Paul expresses his gratitude for the Philippians' love and material assistance. The Epistle is uniquely significant because of its presentation of the humility of Jesus. Its practicality is also observed in Paul's advice to Euodia and Syntyche.

12. The Book of Colossians 1-4.
The Colossian letter is well known for its doctrine as well as for its brevity. In the letter, Paul insists upon the Lordship of Christ. Colossians has come under recent scrutiny because of its references, implied or actual, to incipient Gnosticism, a growing heresy in the Church.

13-14. 1 Thessalonians 1-5 and 2 Thessalonians 1-3.
These letters constitute what is probably the earliest writing of the Apostle Paul. They were written in A.D. 51-52, soon after the founding of the Thessalonian church, and give Paul's answer, to some basic problems disturbing the Christians of Thessalonica. The major contributions are eschatological, investigating especially the events preceding and accompanying the return of Christ. The concern of Paul for his followers is apparent throughout.

15-16. 1 Timothy 1-6 and 2 Timothy 1-4.
Along with the letter to Titus, these writings are defined as "pastoral epistles," which apporach the material from the perspective of the minister, not of the Church. The letters to Timothy discuss such matters as the duties and qualifications of church officers, the inspiration of Scripture, the treatment of widows, and the expectation of a future reward.

17. The Book of Titus 1-3.
This is a personal letter written by the Apostle Paul to a young minister whom he left on Crete. Like the Timothy correspondence, the letter to Titus is practical and discusses the everyday problems confronted by a young minister. This letter is probably to be dated between the first and second letters to Timothy.

18. Philemon (1).
This shortest of all of Paul's letters was addressed to Philemon (although two other persons are included in the salutation). Paul entreats Philemon, the master of Onesimus, a runaway slave, to receive him back as a brother in Christ (16, 17). This very personal letter reveals not only the concern of the Apostle for a converted slave but is also a practical demonstration of brotherhood in Christ, "where there is neither bond [slave] nor free" (Gal. 3:28).

19. The Book of Hebrews 1-13.
Although tradition ascribe Hebrews to Paul, it is now generally believed to have been written by someone other than the Apostle, but cerntainly someone who was acquainted with Paul's teaching. The Epistle portrays Jesus, who performed the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world, as the great High Priest of the line of Melchizedek (Gen. 14). The Bible's only definition of faith occurs in this Epistle (Chap, 11) and is followed by the "great line of splendor" of the men of faith.

4. GENERAL, EPISTLES
(circulated to the churches at large)

20. The Book of James 1-5.
The author of this letter introduces himself as "James, a servent of God and the Lord Jesus Christ." Four men in he New Testament bore this name but the writer of this Epistle is usually identified with James who was the leader of the church in Jerusalem. The letter is addressed to "the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad," and is the most Jewish in style and form of any of the New Testament books. It is not a treatise on Christian theology but rather a practical letter dealing with Christian ethics. James insists that works, not words, are the mark of a disciple.

21. The Book of 1 Peter 1-5.
The author describes himself as "Peter an apostle of Jesus Christ." and there is no overriding reason to doubt the truth of his claim, although the beautiful Greek style employed has led some scholars to believe that the actual writing may have been done by an associate (probably a secretary). The contents breathe the spirit of Peter. His speeches recorded in Acts indicate a similar attitude toward persecution and suffering. The letter here reflects a time of suffering and trial. No doubt the widespeard persecution of the Christians by the Roman authorities was the occasion of the "fiery trial" (4:12). The writer admonishes his readers to a life of purity, of godly living, and exhorts them to steadfastness and faithfulness.

22. The Book of 2 Peter 1-3.
This letter was a "reminder" to the readers of the truth of the Gospel, which they had received as against the attacks of false teachers who would pervert it. The author urges his hearers to remain steadfast even amidst persecution and remind them that the Lord will keep his promises, He speaks of the "day of the Lord" (parousia) and of the necessity of keeping themselves "without spot and blameless" (3:14).

23-25. The Epistles of 1 John 1-5 and 2 John (1) and 3 John (1).
Three Johnannine Epistles--1, 2, and 3 John--are included in the New Testament collection. These Epistles should propably be dated A.D. 90-95. John, the author of the Fourth Gospel, addresses the first one to an unidentified group. 1 John 5:13 indicates that the author writes in order that this group might know the certainty of eternal life, 2 John is adressed to the elect lady, either a church or perhaps a women, 3 John is addressed to Gaius, a man commended for his hospitality.

26. Jude (1).
The author of this short letter warns his readers against the dangers of apostasy, and points to the faithlessness of the Israelites as a reminder of God's judgement. Surrounded as his readers were by moral corruption and apostacizing influences, the author urges them to "contend for the faith" (3), and in a closing benediction he commends them to the One "who is able to keep you from falling" (24). Both the similarity of this letter to 2 Peter and Jude's use of non--Biblical sources (9, 14, 15) have been the subject of much discussion.

5. PROPHETICAL BOOK

27. The Book of Revelation 1-22.
The last book of the Bible identifies itself as "the revelation of Jesus Christ," and its author is designated "his servent John" who was exiled to the Greek island of Patmos because of his faith. Traditionally, John is identified with the author of the Fourth Gospel. Addressed to seven historical churches in Asia Minor, The Book of Revelation was written to warn against spiritual indifference and to elicit courage under persecution. Because of the extensive use of symbolism and picturesque imagery, its interpretation has posed many problems for the student of the Bible. While recognizing the historical situation ( Roman persecution ) that elicited this writing, many interpreters look upon it as a prophecy depicting events that were to take place at the end of the age. The ultimate victory of Christ is the dominant theme of this book.

Thanking God for teaching us his Word, In Jesus name, Amen.