New Testament Books

by Matt Slick

The New Testament has 27 books total, which consist of...

• Historical Books -  Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts
• Pauline Epistles - Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon
• Non-Pauline Epistles - Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude, Revelation

A list of books with brief descriptions of contents.

Historical Books

1. Matthew - Presents Jesus as the Messiah.  Genealogy of Jesus through Joseph.  Fulfillment of O.T. prophecy.
2. Mark - Presents Jesus as the Servant.  1/3 of the gospel deals with the last week of His life.
3. Luke - Presents Jesus as the Son of Man to seek and save the lost.  Genealogy of Jesus through Mary.  Largest of the gospels.
4. John - Presents Jesus as God in flesh, the Christ, so that you might believe.
5. Acts - Historical account from Jesus’ ascension to travels of Paul in his missionary journeys.

Pauline Epistles

1. Romans - A systematic examination of justification, sanctification, and glorification.  Examines God’s plan for the Jews and the Gentiles.
2. 1 Corinthians - This letter deals with factions and corrections due to immorality, lawsuits, and abuse of the Lord’s Supper.   Also mentions idols, marriage, and the resurrection.
3. 2 Corinthians - Paul’s defense of his apostolic position.
4. Galatians - Paul refutes the errors of legalism and examines the proper place of grace in the Christian’s life.
5. Ephesians - The believer’s position in Christ and information on Spiritual warfare.
6. Philippians - Paul speaks of his imprisonment and his love for the Philippians.  He exhorts them to godliness and warns them of legalism.
7. Colossians - Paul focuses on the preeminence of Jesus in creation, redemption, and godliness.
8. 1 Thessalonians - Paul’s ministry to the Thessalonians.  Teachings on purity and mention of the return of Christ.
9. 2 Thessalonians - Corrections on the Day of the Lord.
10. 1 Timothy - Instructions to Timothy on proper leadership and dealings with false teachers, the role of women, prayer, and requirements of elders and deacons.
11. 2 Timothy - A letter of encouragement to Timothy to be strong.
12. Titus - Paul left Titus in Crete to care for the churches there. Requirements for elders.
13. Philemon - a letter to the owner of a runaway slave.  Paul appeals to Philemon to forgive Onesimus.

Non Pauline Epistles

1. Hebrews - A letter to the Hebrew Christians in danger of returning to Judaism.  It demonstrates the superiority of Jesus over the O.T. system. Mentions the Melchizedek priesthood.  (Hebrews may be of Pauline origin.  There is much debate on its authorship).
2. James - a practical exhortation of believers to live a Christian life evidencing regeneration.  It urges self-examination of the evidence of the changed life.
3. 1 Peter - Peter wrote this letter to encourage its recipients in the light of their suffering and be humble in it.  Mentions baptism.
4. 2 Peter - Deals with the person on an inward level, warnings against false teachers, and mentions the Day of the Lord.
5. 1 John - John describes true fellowship of the believers with other believers and with God.  Describes God as light and love.  Encourages a holy Christian walk before the Lord.  Much mention of Christian love.
6. 2 John - Praise for walking in Christ and a reminder to walk in God’s love.
7. 3 John - John thanks Gaius for his kindness to God’s people and rebukes Diotrephes.
8. Jude - Exposing false teachers and uses O.T. allusions to demonstrate the judgment upon them.  Contends for the faith.
9. Revelation - A highly symbolic vision of the future rebellion, judgment, and consummation of all things.

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