39. New Testament Library

The New Testament

Now that you have memorized the arrangement of the Old Testament books, let us move on to the New Testament.

As I said, the new bookcase, in our imaginary room, has only 4 shelves.  Some would have it with 5 shelves.  In doing that they have the first four books on one shelf and one book on the second shelf.  I see it as though they belong together.

The top shelf has 5 books which are called "History".

The 13 books on the second shelf are called "Paul's letters". This has one section of letters to churches and a section to Paul's associates.

On the next shelf, there are 8 books called, "General Epistles".

The bottom shelf has only 1 book which is called, "Prophecy".

The numbering sequence here is not as conducive to memorization as it is in the Old Testament.  5+13+8+1=27 which is the number of books in the New Testament.  

Most Bible students put 14 into Paul's writings and only 7 into General Epistles.  However, I think that perhaps Dr Luke, and not Saint Paul, wrote the Book of Hebrews.  As early as the third century there already was a debate about this issue.

1. On the first shelf, we find the books of History.

Matthew - relates the activities and teachings of Jesus from His beginning to His ascension to heaven.

Mark - relates the activities of Jesus from His baptism to His death.

Luke - relates the activities and teachings of Jesus from His beginning to His ascension to heaven.

John - focuses on the teachings and spiritual impact of Christ the Messiah.

Acts - (of the Apostles) - reports the history of the early church.

An acrostic: Mother Mary Likes Juicy Apples.

2. On the second shelf, we find all the letters of Saint Paul; this shelf is divided into two sections.  Nine letters to churches, and four letters to people whom Paul knew:

Romans - A letter to the church in Rome in Italy.

Corinthians, 1st and 2nd - Two letters to the church at Corinth in Greece.

Galatians - A letter to the church at Galatia

Ephesians - A letter to the church at Ephesus

Philippians - A letter to the church at Philippi

Colossians - A letter to the church at Colossae

Thessalonians, 1st and 2nd - Two letters to the church at Thessalonica.

An acrostic: Real Christian Generosity Emphasises Personal Commitment Throughout.

The following four letters were written by Paul to people who needed some guidance from a more mature person.

Timothy, 1st - Timothy was a young pastor, and Paul sent him some advice

Timothy, 2nd - as to what a preacher's life should be like.

Titus - The same is true for Titus.

Philemon - Was the owner of a slave who had run away.

An acrostic: Tony The Tiger Perspires

3. One shelf down we find "The General Epistles".

Hebrews - Written to Jewish Christians by Paul or Luke.

James - Martin Luther called this "a letter of straw".

Peter, 1st and 2nd - Written by a follower of Jesus and later was crucified upside down for his faith.

John, 1st, 2nd and 3rd - Written by the same man that wrote The Gospel of John and The Revelation.

Jude - Probably written by the brother of Jesus Christ.

An acrostic: However, Just Peter Joined Jude.

4. On the bottom shelf, we find one book of "prophecy":

The Revelation - Things that were still in the future, to Saint John.  

This book is often called "The Revelations".  That is wrong because there is only one Revelation, and it is of Jesus, The Lamb of God. 

It is also often called, "The Revelation of Saint John the Divine".  If one is going to call it by that name the word "of", should at least be changed to "written by" and the word divine would only mean, "a notable person".

The next post will take us back to the Book of Joshua.