Our Daily Bread - Bible BasicsSample

Knowing God Through the New Testament

The New Testament is a collection of smaller books. The 27 books in this “library” were written over a span of 50 years (AD 45–95) by eight known authors (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Peter, Paul, James, Jude) and one unidentified author (Hebrews). 

The history of the Old Testament covers thousands of years; the New, about a century. Yet that century was the most important in the history of man. It was during those years that Jesus Christ was born, conducted His public ministry, was crucified, and was resurrected. Messianic prophecy was fulfilled, and God’s plan of salvation was accomplished. The birth, the establishment, and the initial expansion of the church also occurred in that century.

The books of the New Testament are not arranged in the order in which they were written. Rather, they are placed in four literary groupings:

1. Gospels: Four biographies of Jesus Christ

2. Acts: The history of the early church

3. Letters: Twenty-one letters that define Christian  belief and practice

4. Revelation: A vision of the endtimes 

The word testament means “covenant” or “agreement.” The New Testament, then, tells of a new relationship between God and people—a new way of knowing God. The old covenant was based on the Mosaic Law and was made with the Jewish nation. The new (1 Corinthians 11:25) was made with people of every nation who accepted by faith the salvation offered through Jesus Christ.

The 27 books of the New Testament are filled with intense drama, inspired teaching, and practical instruction. According to the New Testament itself, they originated in the mind of God, came to us by divine inspiration, and were kept from error through the ministry of the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16).

God became a man and dwelt among us (John 1:14), revealing Himself more fully. The New Testament records the life, teaching, and impact of this God-man, the Lord Jesus Christ. That’s why an understanding of the New Testament is essential if we are to know God better.