Wherefore
The New Testament: the second division of the Christian Bible, centered on Jesus Christ and first-century Christianity.
The New Testament is the second division of the Christian Bible, discussing the teachings and person of Jesus and events relating to first-century Christianity.
Lore & Background
The New Testament is a collection of 27 Christian texts written in Koine Greek by various authors. It includes four gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, epistles attributed to Paul and other authors, and the Book of Revelation. The canon developed gradually over the first few centuries of Christianity, culminating in formalization by the late fourth century.
Reader's Guide
The New Testament is regarded as inspired holy scripture by the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodoxy, evangelicals, and many other Protestants. Catholics and Orthodox receive it together with sacred tradition; Protestants hold to scripture alone. Evangelicals and some other Protestants believe it to be inerrant.
Did You Know?
- The word 'testament' in 'New Testament' refers to a Christian new covenant that Christians believe completes or fulfills the Mosaic covenant.
- The earliest surviving New Testament manuscripts date from the late second to early third centuries AD, with the possible exception of Papyrus 52.
- The four gospels were only a few among many early Christian gospel traditions; various non-canonical gospels also existed.
Elsewhere in Figures of Scripture
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