Something I wrote back in 2008 while taking a class on the New Testament. It breaks down, in very basic form, when why, and by whom the "books" in the New Testament were written.
• Matthew
Written by Jesus’ disciple Matthew (Levi) around A.D. 60-65. There are twenty-eight chapters written primarily to the Jews to tell them that Jesus was the prophesied Messiah.
Matthew introduces Jesus as the Messiah and eternal King of Kings and shows his brief ministry as one that will withstand throughout the ages through love, faith, salvation, and living life as Christ did.
• Mark
Written by Mark, the companion of Paul around A.D. 55 and 65. There are sixteen chapters written primarily to the Christians in Rome to show the person that Jesus was, his teachings, and his works.
Mark shows that Christ is the son of God and profiles Jesus’ miraculous “powers” through miracles and defeating death in his resurrection.
• Luke
Written by Luke, a doctor (and only known Gentile author of the New Testament) who was a close personal friend and companion of Paul’s around A.D. 60. There are twenty-four chapters written primarily to Theophilus, the Gentiles, and people everywhere to present Christ as the perfect man and Savior.
Luke introduces Jesus as the ultimate perfection and creates an account of God entering man’s world on man’s level with the promise to never leave, illustrated by the appearance of the Holy Spirit following the ascension of Jesus into Heaven.
• John
Written by the apostle John (son of Zebedee and brother of James) around A.D. 85-90. There are twenty-one chapters written primarily to the new Christians and non-Christians who were seeking a new truth to prove that Jesus was truly the son of God and offered eternal life through faith in Him.
John shows Jesus as a human man, full of man’s desires and weaknesses yet fully as God and through faith in Jesus, our place in Heaven is not only guaranteed but welcomed and most wanted.
• Acts
Written by Luke (also the author of the book of Luke) around A.D. 63-70. There are twenty-eight chapters written to Theophilus to give an accurate account of the birth and development of the Christian church.
Luke presents the atrocities and tribulations that early Christians encountered due to their faith in Christ and by their willingness to endure whatever mankind brought about, their faith proved that this new faith was most certainly from God.
• Romans
Written by Paul (formerly Saul the Pharisee and persecutor of Christians and the most prolific author of the New Testament) around A.D. 57. There are sixteen chapters written to Christians in Rome and everywhere mainly to provide an introduction for Paul to the Romans and provide a “sample” of his message before his arrival in Rome.
Paul’s letter emphasizes the grasp of sin on mankind and that through faith, love, and obedience in Christ, one is able to overcome sin and effectively spread the gospel to others in the while God cares about His children, he will not abide unbridled sin and mankind must come to God for forgiveness.
• 1 Corinthians
Written by Paul around A.D. 55. There are sixteen chapters written to the church in Corinth for the purpose of identifying the problems in the church as well as alerting the church about false preachers and how to live in a Christ-less society.
Paul’s letter warns of a church divided due to false teachings and preachers and tells the church to rely on the teachings and examples of Christ alone and in the dogma that he himself had provided as a basis of true Christian worship.
• 2 Corinthians
Written by Paul around A.D. 55-57 from Macedonia. There are thirteen chapters written to the church in Corinth and all Christians to validate his own ministry as an apostle and rebut the false preachers in Corinth.
Paul’s letter speaks of discipline and tells followers not to focus on the opposition to Christianity but rather to remain faithful and diligent in presenting the gospel of Christ in a true and right manner.
• Galatians
Written by Paul around A.D. 49 from Antioch. There are five chapters written to the churches in southern Galatia to refute and challenge the Judaizers (those who taught that the Gentile “Christians” must follow Judaic laws in order to be saved) and challenge the Christians to act upon their faith in Christ.
Paul’s refutes the idea that Gentiles must follow Judaic laws in order to be recognized as Christians in that salvation and faith and love in Christ were more important that rituals and ceremonies.
• Ephesians
Written by Paul around A.D. 60 from Rome during his imprisonment. There are six chapters written to the church of Ephesus and to Christians everywhere to help their foundation of faith and strengthen their belief in Christ by telling them of the purpose of the church and teaching them of the nature of the “body of Christ.”
Paul encourages Christians to remain faithful in their love of Christ in that God’s love and Christ’s sacrifice upholds their salvation.
• Philippians
Written by Paul around A.D. 61 from Rome during his imprisonment. There are four chapters written to the Christians at Philippi and everywhere to thank them for the gift they had sent to him and to strengthen their faith by showing that true happiness comes from Christ and Christ alone.
Paul is encouraging believers to hold fast to their faith and find peace and security in the knowledge that Christ loves them.
• Colossians
Written by Paul around A.D. 60 from Rome during his imprisonment. There are four chapters written to the church at Colosse and to Christians everywhere to refute errors in the church and to show believers everywhere that they lack nothing if their faith is in Christ alone.
Paul reminds Christians that Christ is everything and anything that they need and not to fall prey to false preachers and teaching when they feel the struggle in their faith has become unbearable or unbelievable.
• 1 Thessalonians
Written by Paul around A.D. 51 from Corinth (this was one of Paul’s earliest letters). There are five chapters written to the church at Thessalonica and to Christians everywhere to strengthen their faith and to assure them of Christ’s return.
Paul warns of persecution and even death for their faith in Christ but assures them that Christ loves them and will return for the faithful.
• 2 Thessalonians
Written by Paul around A.D. 51 or 52 from Corinth (it is suggested that Paul wrote this letter a few months after 1 Thessalonians). There are two chapters written to the church at Thessalonica and Christians everywhere to clear up any confusion regarding the second coming of Christ.
Paul encourages Christians to remain faithful and true to the teachings of Christ and berates those who have misconstrued the gospel for their own gain.
• 1 Timothy
Written by Paul around A.D. 64 from Rome, Macedonia, or Philippi probably just prior to his last imprisonment in Rome. There are six chapters written to Paul’s young companion Timothy to encourage him and give him instructions as a leader for Christ.
Paul instructs Timothy to keep the foundation of Christ’s teachings intact and to fight against corruption in the church by remaining true to the gospel and life of Christ.
• 2 Timothy
Written by Paul around A.D. 66 or 67 from Rome during his imprisonment. There are two chapters written to Timothy (a companion and elder at the church of Ephesus) to give him final instructions to follow after Paul’s death and to offer him encouragement to strengthen his faith and help him grow as a leader.
Paul encourages Timothy to remain faithful in the face of adversity as Christ remained faithful to his mission to the point of sacrificing his own life for the eternity of mankind.
• Titus
Written by Paul around A.D. 64 probably from Macedonia and about the same time he wrote 1 Timothy. There are three chapters written to Titus to give him support and instruction regarding his responsibility of leading the churches on the island of Cree.
Paul reminds Titus that good works are nothing without faith and vise versa and one must be a good example as much as a good leader.
• Philemon
Written by Paul around A.D. 60 from Romeduring his imprisonment around the same time he wrote Ephesians and Colossians. There is one chapter written to Philemon telling him to forgive his runaway slave Onesimus and to accept him in faith as a Christian brother.
Paul encourages Philemon to remember that all men are equal in Christ and that slavery is not of God.
• Hebrews
The “true” author is unknown but it has been attributed to Paul, Luke, Barnabas, Apollos, Silas, Philip, Pricilla, and many others. The author’s name is not given in the text itself but whomever he or she is, refers to Timothy as “brother.” Hebrews was penned probably around A.D. 70 which is supported by the naming of ceremonies and sacrifices without mention of the destruction of the Temple’s destruction. There are thirteen chapters and written for the Hebrew Christians who were struggling with their newfound faith and considering returning to the Judaic ways for lack of faith and understanding of this new way of religious life.
Hebrews reminds us all that perseverance an faith in Christ alone, throughout trials and uncertainty in mankind, we are one with Christ and are able to count on our salvation to help us love and assist others whether they believe the same or not.
• James
Assumed to be written by James, brother of Jesus around A.D. 49 before the Jerusalem Council held in A.D. 50. There are five chapters written to the first Jewish Christians in the Gentile communities outside of Palatine and to Christians everywhere to open their eyes to unethical behaviors and to teach them how to be good Christians in their actions and words.
James presents the message of salvation through grace in God’s love and mercy for all mankind and encourages believers to spread the gospel in the same manner of Christ.
• 1 Peter
Written by Peter around A.D. 62-64 from Rome. There are five chapters written to the Jewish Christians who were driven out of Jerusalem, those in Asia Minor, and everywhere to give them encouragement through their suffering for their faith.
Peter comforts believers in that their faith will carry them through the persecution that is sure to follow them and instructs them to maintain a pure relationship with God.
• 2 Peter Written by Peter around A.D. 67 about three years after 1 Peter
probably from Rome. There are three chapters written to the entire church of Christ (Christians everywhere) to warn them of false prophets and preachers and to encourage them to grow in their faith and knowledge of Christ.
Peter tells believers that if their faith is true, it will be evident in their walk and others will see and want to share in the peace and love they see coming from them.
• 1 John
Written by the apostle John around A.D. 85 and 90 from Ephesus. There are five chapters written to no one in particular. This was a pastoral letter and sent to several Gentile congregations but was also for Christians everywhere to help encourage and reassure them in their faith and warn them of false prophets and false teachings.
John instructs believers to remember that no matter what, God is in control and regardless of what they may experience in this life, it is nothing compared to the love they will experience from God in the next life.
• 2 John
Written by the apostle John around A.D. 90 fro Ephesus. There is one chapter written to Cyria and those in her home to instruct and the basic teachings of Christ and to war against the false teachers and teachings.
John warns of false teachers and that following the Word of God with faith is essential in teaching and living the true gospel of Christ.
• 3 John
Written by the apostle John around A.D. 90 from Ephesus. There is one chapter written to a man names Gaius to praise him for his hospitality and to encourage his growth in his Christian life.
John praises Gaius for taking in traveling Christians and encourages believers to do the same in that humbleness and openness to others is an essential part of the Christian life.
• Jude
Written by Jude (half-brother to James and Jesus) around A.D. 65. There is one chapter written to Jewish Christians and Christians everywhere to remind them that there must be a constant mindset to remain in one’s faith in order to remain strong in their walk and protect the message of Christ from those who would distort it.
Jude reminds believers to remain true to the teachings of Christ and warns those who misrepresent it, as well as their followers, that ultimately, they will be punished.
• Revelation
Written by the apostle John around A.D. 95 from the island of Patmos where he had been exiled. There are twenty-two chapters written to the seven churches in Asia and to Christians everywhere to reveal all of who and what Christ was and is, to warn of false prophets and teachings, and to give hope to everyone that ultimately Christ’s love will overcome the works of Satan.
John encourages faith in Christ but also warns of the consequences to those who reject God’s love and salvation and to those that follow anyone who preaches against the gospel of Jesus.
References
1. Life Application Bible. “The Living Bible.” Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. and Youth for Christ/USA. Copyright 1988.
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