Matthew

The good news about Jesus, according to Matthew, a Jewish tax collector working for Israel’s oppressor, Rome, who becomes a devoted apprentice and apostle of Jesus.

Mark

The good news about Jesus, according to Mark, or “John Mark,” a scribe and follower of Jesus who later worked alongside the Apostle Paul.

Luke

The good news about Jesus, according to Luke, a physician and companion of the Apostle Paul who wrote this gospel and the Book of Acts as one unified story.

John

Often called the “Fourth Gospel,” this is the story of Jesus and the good news he offers to the world, according to the Apostle John.

Acts

Luke continues the story he began in his first book, the Gospel of Luke, describing the growth of the Jesus movement throughout the Mediterranean world.

Romans

The Apostle Paul’s only known letter to communities of Jesus followers living in Rome, this presents his most thoroughly developed theological treatise in the New Testament.

1 Corinthians

The Apostle Paul’s first of two known letters sent to Jesus followers in Corinth who are experiencing a cultural overhaul in light of Jesus’ good news.

2 Corinthians

The Apostle Paul’s second of two known letters sent to the Jesus-following community in the city of Corinth, written after other teachers have attacked and claimed superiority over Paul.

Galatians

The Apostle Paul’s only known letter sent for circulation among multiple communities of Jesus followers living throughout the region of Galatia, in which Paul encourages people to embrace a way of radical mutuality while practicing life in Christ.

Ephesians

Paul’s only known letter to Jesus followers living in Ephesus (and likely the surrounding regions), explaining the Gospel and how it applies to their community life together.

Philippians

The only known letter from the Apostle Paul to the community of Jesus followers living in a Roman colony called Philippi, thanking them for their generosity and encouraging them to continue living in the way of Christ.

Colossians

The Apostle Paul’s only known letter to the community of Jesus followers in the city of Colossae in Asia Minor, where cultural pressure to turn away from Jesus was increasing.

The Book 1 Thessalonians

The Apostle Paul’s first of two known letters that address a community of Jesus followers living in the city of Thessalonica and facing significant opposition.

2 Thessalonians

The Apostle Paul’s sends this second known letter to the community of Jesus followers living in Thessalonica, who now face stronger opposition alongside new relational challenges.

1 Timothy

The Apostle Paul’s first of two known letters sent to a young pastor, Timothy, who was caring for a community of Jesus followers in the city of Ephesus who were dealing with false teaching.

2 Timothy

The Apostle Paul sends this second known letter to a young pastor in Ephesus named Timothy, encouraging him to hold firm in the face of opposition.

Titus

A letter from the Apostle Paul to Titus, a pastor whom sent to the island of Crete to encourage its network of small Jesus-following communities struggling from the impact of false teaching.

Philemon

The Apostle Paul’s letter for an enslaved man, Onesimus, to deliver to his owner, Philemon, a church leader needing to change his way of relating to others, especially his slaves.

Hebrews

Written by an unknown author, this letter aims to challenge and encourage a group of Jesus followers who have been abused for choosing to live in the way of Christ.

James

Written to groups of Jesus followers living outside of Israel, this letter from James challenges mainstream assumptions about suffering, transformation, and the nature of true faith.

1 Peter

The Apostle Peter’s first of two known letters sent to a scattered and persecuted group of Jesus-following communities living in cities and towns throughout Asia minor.

2 Peter

The Apostle Peter’s second of two known letters sent to mixed congregations of Christian Jews and Gentiles scattered throughout Asia Minor and suffering from false teaching.

1-3 John

Three letters written by someone named John, likely one of Jesus’ apprentices, to a network of Jesus-following communities in or around Ephesus to help them return to a way of life and belief that had been fractured due to crisis.

Jude

Written by one of Jesus’ brothers, “Judah,” this short letter addresses corruption within a community of Jesus followers and gives guidance on how to face the challenge.

Revelation

Revealing God’s perspective on history, this apocalyptic literature presumably written by John employs symbolic imagery, creative use of numbers, and tight connections to the Hebrew Bible to deliver a challenging and hopeful message.