Overview of the New Testament

Written by: James the younger half-brother of Jesus, the brother of Jude (writer of letter of Jude). This is not one of the Apostles named James.
Date Written: 44/46 AD
Summary: The letter emphasizes that true faith will be demonstrated in right behavior. True faith must be lived out in everyday life by good works, especially in the face of trials or persecution, and such good works show the presence of faith and justification before God.

48-49 AD: Paul’s First Missionary Trip—Acts 13:1-14:26

49 AD: The Jerusalem Council. It was agreed among the Apostles that Gentile Christians did not need to follow Jewish customs “but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. 21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.” —Act 15:20-21

Written by: Paul.
Date Written: 49 AD.
Summary: It was written to the Christians in the province of Galatia, in Asia Minor (modern Turkey). Its chief theme is the freedom of the gospel as opposed to the bondage of the law. Sinners are justified (and live out a godly life) by trusting in Jesus Christ alone, not by keeping the law or by doing good works.

49-52 AD: Paul’s Second Missionary Trip – Acts 15:40 – 18:22

Written by: Paul.
Date Written: 50 AD from Corinth.
Summary: It was written to believers facing harassment because of their commitment to Jesus. At the same time, they were confused concerning the nature of the second coming. Whatever difficulties and sufferings believers experience in this life, the coming of Christ is the true hope of the Christian.

Written by: Paul.
Date Written: 52 AD from Corinth.
Summary: It was written to believers under the illusion that the “day of the Lord” was upon them. Whatever difficulties believers face, they should stand firm and continue living useful lives since Christ’s return may be in the distant future.

Written by: Matthew.
Date Written: Late 40’s or Early 50’s.
Covered Period: 12-4 BC to 32 AD.
Summary: It was the gospel written for the Jews. It shows Jesus as the Messiah and King in whom were fulfilled all the great Old Testament prophecies. Matthew, its author, was a Jew and a disciple of Christ. Matthew shows that in His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus fulfilled the prophecies about the Jewish Messiah and began the new people of God, the church.

Written by: Mark, known as John Mark in Acts, written from information gained from time with Peter.
Date Written: early 50’s.
Covered Period: 12-4 BC to 32 AD.
Summary: It was the gospel written for the Gentiles, especially the Romans. It presents that in His life, death and resurrection, Jesus did the deeds of the Suffering Servant of the Lord, notably through His death as a “ransom for many.”

Fall of 52 – Spring of 57 AD: Paul’s Third Missionary Trip – Acts 18:23, 19:1 – 21:19

Written by: Paul.
Date Written: Spring of 55 AD from Ephesus
Summary: It was written to believers facing a number of difficulties, such as abuse of worship, division, and immorality. The many problems a congregation may have, whether doctrinal or practical, will be resolved as that church submits properly to the lordship of Christ and learns to love one another genuinely.

Written by: Paul.
Date Written: 56 AD from Macedonia
Summary: It was written to believers that had recently repented of its shameful treatment of him as an apostle. The last four chapters appear to be addressed to those who had not repented. True Christian ministry, although it may have to be defended against false attacks, is commissioned by Christ and empowered by His Spirit.

Written by: Luke. 
Date Written: Late 50’s no later than 62.
Covered Period: 12-4 BC to 32 AD
Summary: It was the gospel written for the Greeks. Jesus not only lived and ministered as the perfect human, but He also died and rose to new life as the Savior for sinners.

Written by: Paul.
Date Written: 57 AD from Corinth
Summary: It was written to a church that Paul had not established unlike his other letters. This epistle is the greatest summary of Christian doctrine found in the Bible, and it has been more important in subsequent Christian history than any other book of the Bible. Its central message is that the just shall live by faith. Righteousness with God is given freely (imputed) to all those who have faith in Jesus Christ for salvation according to God’s eternal plan.

57-62 AD: Paul’s Imprisonment & Journey to Rome – Acts 21:26-28:31

Written by: Paul.
Date Written: 61 AD from his Roman imprisonment, thus known as one of the “Prison Epistles”.
Summary: It is an encouraging letter. In it, Paul taught that Christians have been saved by grace and are spiritually seated with Christ. Therefore, they should walk accordingly, so they can stand against the tactics of the Devil.

Written by: Paul.
Date Written: 61 AD from his Roman imprisonment, thus known as one of the “Prison Epistles”.
Summary: It is a joyful letter that includes wonderful doctrinal teachings, especially about Jesus Christ and salvation by faith. He also expressed thanks for the Philippians’ gift. Knowing Jesus Christ is much more joyful and important than anything else because God has exalted Jesus, the crucified Servant, with the name above every name.

Written by: Paul.
Date Written: 61 AD from his Roman imprisonment, thus known as one of the “Prison Epistles”.
Summary: It was directed primarily against the false teaching in Colossae now called the “Colossian heresy.” Paul especially emphasized the supremacy of Christ in all things. Jesus Christ is supreme Lord of the universe and Head of the church and therefore He is the only One through whom forgiveness is possible, making legal obligations or philosophical studies irrelevant.

Written by: Paul.
Date Written: 61 AD from his Roman imprisonment, thus known as one of the “Prison Epistles”.
Summary: It was written to a friend who lived in Colosse. Its focus is to urge Philemon to treat his now-converted slave Onesimus in a gentle manner, as a brother rather than as an inferior. Everyone who has repented of sin and come to Christ should be welcomed as a brother, treated gently, and forgiven by other believers.

Written by: Luke. 
Date Written: By 62 AD  
Covered Period: 32 – 62 AD
Summary: It takes its name from the fact that it is a history of the doings of the apostles during the first generation after the crucifixion of Jesus. It sets forth the coming of the Holy Spirit and the spread of the church under Peter and Paul. Christianity spread from Jerusalem to Rome and from Jews to Gentiles by the power of the Holy Spirit, working especially through Peter and Paul.

62 AD: Paul released from imprisonment.

Written by: Paul.
Date Written: 63 AD, known as one of the “Pastoral Epistles”
Summary: It’s written to co-worker Titus, on the island of Crete, to further the work of the Kingdom in a challenging situation. Whatever challenges they face in life and ministry, Christian leaders are to maintain order in the congregation, but only according to sound doctrine.

Written by: Paul.
Date Written: 63 AD, known as one of the “Pastoral Epistles”.
Summary: It was written to Timothy in Ephesus to encourage Timothy in his work and to combat the threat of false teachers. Whatever challenges Christian leaders face in life and ministry, they are the make progress in godliness and help maintain order in congregational life.

63-65 AD: Paul imprisoned in Rome for the final time

Written by: Paul.
Date Written: 66/67 AD known as one of the “Pastoral Epistles”
Summary: It was written to Timothy after Paul had been imprisoned for the final time before Paul is executed. He wrote for Timothy to carry on with the work of the kingdom and to come to him before it was too late.

Written by: Jude the younger half-brother of Jesus, brother of James (writer of letter of James) Jude is a shortened form of Judas. This is not the Judas mentioned in John as one of the Apostles (John 14:22) nor Judas Iscariot: the betrayer of Christ.
Date Written: 60’s 
Summary: It warns particularly against false teachers. Christian must defend the faith against false teachings and false teachers. And at the same time, they must build up their own faith in Christ.

Written by: Peter.
Date Written: 65
Summary: It was written to persecuted churches scattered through-out five Roman provinces. This epistle is an outstanding blend of doctrinal instruction and practical advice for Christians that were suffering persecution. As Christians grow in understanding their privileges in salvation, their blessings of election, and the theology of suffering, they will live in holiness and humility waiting for their great future hope of sharing in Christ’s glory.

Written by: Peter.
Date Written: 66
Summary: He wrote to Christians dealing with certain false teachings. Its content and style are substantially different from his earlier letter. As Christians grow in understanding, they will be safeguarded from false teachers, especially those who deny the return of Christ and the end of the world as it now exits.

66-67 AD: Nero executed Paul & Peter

Written by:  John the Apostle, “the disciple whom Jesus loved,”
Date Written:  60’s to 90’s.
Covered Period: 12-4 BC to 32 AD
Summary: It emphasized that Jesus is the Son of God, and that by believing in Him one might have eternal life. Jesus is the sign-working Son of God who gives eternal life based on His death and resurrection to all who believe in Him.

Written by: John the Apostle.
Date Written: 60’s to 80’s.
Summary: It was written to believers in Ephesus to assure them of God’s love, encourage love for one another, and counter false teaching. Christians have fellowship with Christ, who is God incarnate, through walking in the light and through living in love, and as a result, they are secure in the eternal life that Christ has given them.

Written by:  John the Apostle.
Date Written: 60’s to 80’s.
Summary: It was written to believers in Ephesus who are faithful to the “doctrine of Christ,” know the Father and the Son, and will one day be fully rewarded.

Written by: John the Apostle.
Date Written: 60’s to 80’s.
Summary: This letter was sent to a Christian leader named Gaius probably living in or around Ephesus. Christians are to recognize and to work for the truth of the gospel. One way they do this is to show hospitality to Christian ministers hard at work.

Written by: John the Apostle.
Date Written: 60’s or 95 AD while exiled on the island of Patmos.
Summary: In beautiful, symbolic language it encourages and warns believers concerning the events leading up to the end of this age and the coming of “a new heaven and a new earth.” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

70 AD: Fall of Jerusalem and destruction of the Temple.