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DIVISIONS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT
There are nine books in this part. The authenticity of these books has been a point of controversy among Christians. The Protestant faith, for instance, does not acknowledge the divine origin of these books, and they have discarded them from their Bible. They do not form part of the King James Version of the Bible. The collection of these nine books and five other books together called Apocrypha .
1 THE BOOK OF ESTHER
Esther was a Jewish woman who was among the captives from Jerusalem in Babylon. Ahasuerus, the king of Persia, was unhappy with his first wife and married Esther. A man, a minister of the king, had some differences with Mardochaeus, the father of the Queen Esther. He plotted to destroy the Jews. Esther convinced the king to combat this plot and saved the Jews. This book describes this event in 10 chapters.
2 THE BOOK OF BARUCH
Baruch was disciple and scribe of the prophet Jeremiah (Jer. 32 : 13 – 36, 36 : 4 – 32, 43 :3 – 16, 45 : 1- 3) The Protestant Bible does not include this book.
3 PART OF THE BOOK OF DANAEL
4 THE BOOK OF TOBIAS
Tobias was a Jew who had been taken to Assyria in the period of exile. The book describes a dangerous journey made by him and his son. It also includes the event of his marriage with a strange woman Sara. This book is has great literary merit.
5 THE BOOK OF JUDITH
This book is ascribed to a very brave Jewish named Judith. She saved and delivered her people from the oppression of the king of Assyria. It also includes the story of her love.
6 WISDOM OF SOLOMON
This book is ascribed to the prophet solomon. It contains wise saying of the Prophet and is similar in many ways to the Book of Proverbs.
7 ECCLESIASTICUS
This is a collection of preachings and exhortations. it is attributed to Masiah, a preacher in c. 200 BC. This book is also of great literary merit.
8 THE FIRST BOOK OF MACCABEES
This book describes the rebellion of the tribe of the Maccabees.
9 THE SECOND BOOK OF MACCBEES
This book describe the history of a short period of time and contains some unbelievable or corrupt reports.
THE BOOKS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT
THE FIRST DIVISION OF THE NEW TESTAMENT
There are twenty books in the first part of the new Testament. These twenty books are believed to be genuine and authentic by the Christian.
1 THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
Matthew was one of the Twelve Disciples of the prophet Jesus. This book is considered to be the oldest of the Gospels. The book begins with the genealogy of the Prophet Jesus. And describes his life and teachings up until his ascension to the heavens.
2 THE GOSPEL OF MARK
Mark was a pupil of Peter, the Disciple of the Prophet Jesus. This gospel begins with the prophecies made by previous Prophets regarding the coming of the Prophet Jesus. It describes the life of Jesus up until his ascension to heaven .It consists of 16 chapters.
3 THE GOSPEL OF LUKE
Luke was a Physician and was a companion of Paul and travelled with him on his journeys (Col. 4:14, Acts 16) He died in 70 AD. His gospel begins with the birth of the Prophet John “the Baptist” (whose Qur’anic name is Yahya) and covers the life of Jesus up until his ascension to heaven. It has 24 chapters.
4 THE GOSPEL OF JOHN
This book also begins with the birth of John the Baptist and describes the events from the birth of the Prophet John to the ascension of the Prophet Jesus. It consists of 21 chapters.
It should be noted here that John the son of Zebedee, the disciple of Jesus is certainly not the author of this book. Some of the Christians claim that the author of this book may be John the Elder, but this claim too is not supported by any historical evidence.
These four books are also called the four Evangels. Sometimes the word Evangel is also used for all the books of the new Testament. The word is of Greek origin and means good tidings and teaching.
5 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES
It is said that this script was written by Luke to Theopheus. It includes the acts and achievements of the disciples of the Prophet Jesus after his ascension. It particularly describes the journeys of Paul until his arrival in Rome in 22AD. It has 28 chapters.
6 EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE ROMANS
This is a letter written by Paul to some of his Roman followers. Paul was a Jew and an enemy of the followers of Jesus in the beginnig . Some time after the ascension of Jesus to heaven he suddenly appeared and claimed to have received instructions from Jesus.
7 FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS
This is Paul`s first letter to the Corinthians and it consist mostly of teaching and injunctions regarding unity among the Christian. At that time they were involved in various disputes. Chapter 7 includes some injunctions concerning matrimonial relations. In chapter 8 the evils paganism and the Christians’ attitude towards a pagan society are discussed. The last few chapters include a discussion on atonement and the Hereafter. Chapter 16 describes the blessings of alms-giving and donation for Christianity.
8 SECOND EPISTLE OF PAUL OF THE CORINTHIANS
This letter was also written to the Corinthians by Paul and contains 16 chapters. These chapters include religious instructions, guidance, and suggestions regarding the discipline of the Church. From chapter 10 to the end paul speaks of his ministerial journeys.
9 EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE GALATIANS
Galatia was a province of Rome in the north of Asia Minor. This letter was written to the churches of Galatia in early 57 AD. Paul had heard that the people of Galatia were being influenced by another religion. In this letter he tries to prevent them from conversion.
10 EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE EPHESIANS
Ephesus was an important trading city of Asia Minor. There was a great house of worship there to the goddess Diana. Paul turned it into a great centre of Christianity in three years of great effort. (Acts 10 : 19). In this letter he gives some moral instuctions to the people.
11 EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE PHILIPPIANS
This letter of Paul is addressed to the people of Philippi, a city of Macedonia. This is the first city in Europe were Paul preached Christianity. He was arrested there. This letter includes his moral teachings and exhortations for unity among the Christians.
12 EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE COLOSSIANS
This letter of paul is addressed to the people of Colossae, a city of Asia Minor. Paul is encouraging them to remain Christians and calls upon them to abstain from evil deeds.
13 FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE THESSALONIANS
This letter of Paul was written to the people of Thessalonica, a city of the provence of Macedonia which is a part of Greece today. He discusses, in this letter, the principles which bring about God`s pleasure. It also speaks of other subjects. It has 5 chapters.
14 SECOND EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE THESSALONIANS
This letter, containig only 3 chapters, offers, Paul`s encouragement to the Thessalonians on their good deeds and some instructions regarding their general behaviour.
15 FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE TIMOTHY
Timothy was a pupil and disciple of Paul. (Acts 14: 17, 16 : 1-3) Paul had great trust and admiration for him (Cor. 16: 10 and Phil. 2:19). The letter contains descriptions regarding rituals and ethics.
16 SECOND EPISTLE OF PAUL TO TIMOTHY
This second letter to Timothy speaks of certain people who had converted to other religions and also includes instructions to Timothy about preaching and also some predictions for the last ages. It has 4 chapters.
16. EPISTLE OF PAUL TO TITUS
Titus was also a companion of Paul on some of his journeys (Cal. 2: 1). Paul had great love for him (Cor. 2: 13). Paul left him in Crete so that he could preach there. This letter had 3 chapters and gives preaching instructions and details of the prerequisites of bishops.
18 EPISTLE OF PAUL TO PHILEMON
Philemon was also a companion of Paul and had travelled with him. The letter was written by Paul when he sent Onesimus to Philemon (Phil. 1: 10)
19 FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER
Peter was one of the closest apostles of Jesus. The study of the New Testament shows that Paul had some differences with him in later years. The letter was addressed to the Christians who were scattered throughout the northern part of Asia Minor i.e. the people of Poutus, Galatia, Cappadocia and Bithynia. The main purpose of the letter was to encourage the readers who were facing persecution and suffering for their faith.
20 FIST LETTER OF JOHN
SECOND DIVISION OF THE NEW TESTAMENT
In this division of the new Testament there are seven books. The genuineness and divinity of these books is doubted and debated by the Christians. Some lines form the first letter of John are also not believed to be authentic.
21 THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE HEBREWS
The Jews are also called the Hebrews. The word has an association with `Aber` a title given to the Prophet Jacob. Hebrews is also used for Christians. The letter was addressed to a group of Christians who were on the way to abandoning the Christian faith. The writer encourages them in their faith.
22 THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PETER
This letter from Peter is addressed to the early Christians. Its main concern is to combat the work of false teachers and false prophets. It also speaks of the final return of the Messiah.
23 THE SECOND EPISTLE OF JOHN
The second letter of John was written by John to the “dear Lady and her children”. According to the Christians the “lady probably stands for the local church.
24 THE THIRD EPISTLE OF JOHN
This letter was addressed to Gaius, one of the pupils of John and a church leader. The writer praises the reader for his help to other Christians, and warns against a man called Diotrephes.
25 THE GENERAL EPISTLE OF JAMES
This James is not the apostle James, the son of Zebedee and brother of John The writer is James, the son of Joseph the carpenter. He is frequently mentioned in the Book of Acts. The letter is a collection of practical instructions and emphasizes the importance of actions guided by faith.
26 THE GENERAL EPISTLE OF JUDE
Jude is a brother of the James who was one of the 12 apostles. He is mentioned in John 14 : 22. The letter was written to warn against false teachers who claimed to be believers. Jude is not the Judas who is said to have betrayed Jesus.
27 THE REVELATION
The revelation of John is a collection of visions and revelations written in symbolic language. Its main concern is to give its readers hope and encouragement in their suffering for faith.
