Books of the Bible

Matthew to Revelation

Matthew :- One of 4 eyewitness accounts detailing events in the life of Jesus Christ.

Mark:- One of 4 eyewitness accounts detailing events in the life of Jesus Christ.

Luke:- One of 4 eyewitness accounts detailing events in the life of Jesus Christ.

John:- One of 4 eyewitness accounts detailing events in the life of Jesus Christ.

Acts:- Documented account of the spread of Christianity in the first century AD following the ascension of Jesus Christ. A major emphasis of this record relates to the 4 missionary journeys of the Apostle Paul to Asia Minor and Greece, and inclusion of Gentile believers as part of the Church.

Transition from an all Jewish congregation under the Mosaic law to that of inclusion of Gentiles under the New Testament (or covenant) is an underlying theme.

Romans:- Pauline letter to Romans, a major part of this writing deals with the right of Gentiles as well as Jews to be part of the body of Christians.

1 Corinthians:- A pastoral Pauline letter to the church in Corinth (in modern Greece), addressing a number of specific issues relating to leadership, moral Christian conduct and doctrine relevant to this church, whose congregation had been drawn from a cosmopolitan port population.

2 Corinthians:- Sometimes called the painful letter, where in this second pastoral letter, Paul has to address the fact that he personally is being despised, although he was God’s chosen apostle.

Galatians:- A Pauline pastoral letter to the churches established within the province of Galatia (modern Turkey). It addresses the need for adherence to the Gospel as had been taught by the Apostles, with particular reference to ensuring that Jewish practice from the Law of Moses such as circumcision, was not enforced on Gentile believers.

Ephesians:- Letter of Paul written whilst held prisoner, to the Church at Ephesus (in modern Turkey). The main emphasis is to encourage the Church members to maintain the practices of Christianity in their lives with appropriate moral and doctrinal standards. There are also references to the inclusion of Gentiles as well as Jews within the one church.

Philippians:- Letter of encouragement to the Church at Philippi, written by Paul from Rome whilst he was a prisoner.

Colossians:- General letter of encouragement from Paul to the Church at Colossi.

1 Thessalonians:- General letter of encouragement from Paul to the Church at Thessaloniki.

2 Thessalonians:- Second general letter from Paul to the Church of Thessaloniki. This letter includes reference to expected apostasy prior to the return of Jesus Christ.

1 Timothy:- Personal letter of Paul to Timothy a young man with significant responsibilities, instructing him how to conduct himself in support of the Churches.

2 Timothy:- Second personal letter of Paul to Timothy, to encourage him in his role within the Churches.

Titus:- Similar personal letter as that of 1 Timothy, sent by Paul to Titus instructing him how he should conduct himself in support of the Churches, particularly in Crete.

Philemon:- A personal letter of Paul to Philemon, pleading the case of his escaped slave Onesimus who had become a Christian and had supported Paul whilst held prisoner.

Hebrews :- Apostolic letter for which the author is not given. This book details the supremacy of Christ and the New Testament over the Old Testament given in the Law of Moses. It illustrates in detail how the sacrifices and High Priest responsibilities under the Law of Moses were patterns of the work of Jesus Christ.

James:- A general letter of James to those of Jewish heritage scattered abroad. The book covers a number of subjects such as; the origins and outcome of temptation, demonstration of faith by works and impact of words spoken.

1 Peter:- A general epistle of Peter to believers in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia dealing mainly with Christian conduct.

2 Peter:- A second general epistle of Peter, with a Christian warning to prepare themselves against the coming judgments, drawing on examples such as the flood for which the vast majority of the earth’s inhabitants were caught unprepared.

1 John:- Epistle of John, with emphasis on relationships within the Church and with God and Jesus Christ.

2 John:- A short personal letter of John to an unspecified female believer, exhorting her to maintain the Apostolic doctrine in respect to the nature of Christ.

3 John:- A short personal letter of encouragement from John to Gaius.

Jude:- A general epistle of Jude, warning of individuals who had entered the Church with ulterior motives.

Revelation:- Vision from Jesus Christ to John as an intermediary, who was actioned to send a detailed account to seven Churches in Asia Minor. The book contains Christ’s assessment of the state of each of the seven Churches with remedial actions they needed to take. It also details visions covering impending judgments and future glory of God’s Kingdom.